Have you ever helped a homeless person, or someone in need?

YES!! I seem to draw needy people to me like a magnet. Every year around the holidays, I've either helped pay for Christmas presents, donated food to my local radio station's annual charity gig, or given someone a place to stay. In 2005, my family of four (me, husband, 2 sons of 12 & 14) took in my oldest son's best friend, sister, and mother for about 2 weeks. There were 7 of us living in a 2 bedroom 2 bath 1,200 square foot apartment. Crowded? Yes! The ironic part is (I live daily for irony) this past holiday season, my family was hurting for money and Christmas was tight. My husband's boss was kind enough to enlist a family from her church to sponsor us for Christmas by leaving presents on our doorstep Christmas Eve. What comes around, goes around, huh? I definitely believe in karma. But, the real reason I give is not to expect in return but the warmth I feel inside makes it all worth while! Good topic!!

I had my moments when I used to help a lot of persons like the one you mentioned above. I used to do that also until one day when I gave a few bucks to a homeless person dressed like Santa Claus. I really felt sorry for him and I didn't care that I didn't have any money left in my pocket because I gave them all to that man. When I passed over him a couple of days later he asked me for money again and I had to say no that time because I didn't have any cash at that moment in my pockets. Right after that he started spitting on me and calling me different names. I didn't say anything and i started to get on with my way and a couple of seconds later, I turned back to see what was he doing. I was shocked then to see that man counting a LOT of money (at least a few thousands dollars worth)! Don't you think a normal person like me should feel a little scammed by such a person ?

I cant say I've directly helped a homeless person because I havent come across people asking for help on the street but I always throw what I can into charity collections like the red cross when they are at the shopping centers or door knocking.I think its great you are willing to go the extra mile to help people.

First off, I'm glad you try to help others. Secondly, I love Papa John's pizza! Okay, back to the serious discussion. In my native country (the Philippines), we have a lot of McDonald's outlets. This fastfood chain disposes of all the food at the end of the day in big bags (I know that this is the practice among American chains because it's really safe--we're talking of food here). Well, since there are a lot of homeless people in my country, the servicepeople would give them away to them. I like this practice because those food are not yet spoiled, and at least there are a lot who could benefit. When I was in my country, I rarely give money to beggars and homeless people. I would directly give food and clothing, and the contributions I give to the housing for the homeless and street children. I would also follow up on the status of the kids and their parents in that place, because I'm a regular contributor. I think those kinds of help would go a long way compared to just giving coins at any given time. I agree with your sentiments, and I believe that people should always help one another. Happy myLotting!

Just yesterday me and my Girlfriend were about to order in Mcdonalds. there was a kid about 12years old, carry a big knapsack and pile of cloth floor mats on his head. He was on line infront of us. He bought 1 extra rice and a extra gravy, he was holding a 20peso bill. the cashier gave him his change of 1 peso. he was staring at the reciept and you can see the look in hi eyes that he can't believe that he only a peso was left of his money. He walk over to his table a took a bite off his rice then he took a medicine capsule. he is still staring at the reciept and the 1 peso coin in his hand. then suddenly he fainted. Me and my girlfriend rush to him and quickly lift him up of his seat. the boy immediately regains conciousness. the boy was crying and his as are glossy and was squinted. i reckoned it was because of hunger, we bought a chicken to serve as viand for his rice. the kid aws crying and blabbing something about "no more time" and "needs to sell all those floor mats". We where he lives and why is he there, he lives in Pasig 2 cities away from where he is. He is selling floor mats because his mom had a stroke and was bed-ridden. We urge him to eat first but he was saying that he needs to go on and sell all the mats because he was given a certain period of time by his boss. His boss will be angry at him and he can't afford to loose this peddling job. the kid forced to get up and was struggling from our grasp, he carried his bag and the force to lift the pile of floor mats and put it on his head. He slowly, knees wobling, crying, walked out of Mcdonalds, sat infront of the door and shouted "floor mats! floor mats, please buy floor mats". my girlfriend was already crying and hugged the boy. We don't have enough money, we can't buy the whole pile of floor mats which cost 700pesos, we bought 100 pesos worth which is 3 pcs and gave him another hundered just to go home. But he still refuse. finally We were able to convinced him to go home to rest, another woman who is going to pasig offered to bring him home and he accepted. I don't mind giving the kid the money. If I have more i would probably give it. They kid is a hero. determined to survive for his family.

We don't really have such people in Singapore.. they are usually picked up by the police after someone sight and report them. But I do remember a time when I visited Indonesia as part of a tour group. We see many children who were begging for food. We were advised by the tour guide though that we should not give them money or food. His explanation was that once you give one child, all will flock to you and you can imagine the chaotic scene. So we didn't give anything in the end.

Its good to help others in need, I always help others in need, I always think of women in the bible who had just had one coin but she gave it all to God in offering, the Bible says she gave the highest offering, No matter how much we give I still have not come to that level

There are a couple of times that come to mind. I remember going to a convenience store and buying up some non-perishable items like canned meats, peanut butter and bread and giving the sack of groceries to a homeless man under an underpass. Another time, on the way to work, I passed a homeless man walking and kept on going. I felt really strongly I was supposed to turn around and go back and give him one of my sandwiches I had with me for my lunch. Feeling really silly, I drove until I could turn around and go back, had to look for him as he had been walking, and then offer him my sandwich. He took it, didn't have anything to say, and as I drove off I saw him opening it up and examining it. I started laughing...thinking how funny...he's homeless and maybe hungry and he's inspecting the sandwich to see if it's worth eating! LOL

You have very nice attitude but there are some people who fake their needs and make use of our sympathy.you have to identify them and try not to help them..

When I was in high school, my friend and I drove past a man with a sign that said that he would work for food. We kept driving on to the closest fast food place and hit up the dollar menu. We gave him a huge bag of $15.00 worth of food off the dollar menu.

Yes, ChaJudleo, I sometimes help homeless people out when I see them. In my state there is an organization called Helpers For The Homeless and The Hungry. I'd go there sometimes on Saturday afternoons with my children and assist in passing out food to them. And this also teaches my child to be gratful and helpful.

I think you have a great attitude. I believe we should help out whenever we can. As you say you get a good feeling from doing this so it can be a win win situation, someone gets help and you get the feel good factor.

yes specially kids, way back home not once this happened, me and my daughter brought the kid to the nearby fastfood to dine with her/him, or just gave them food to bring home. i want to open my daughters heart in sharing and giving.

I've helped a few homeless people before. When I would have change and I would see someone begging for money, I'd give them a quarter. It wasn't much, but it was in a high-traffic area where they could get two lunches in the amount of time that they only needed one. I also asked my mom to give our last $5 to a man who was eating out of a trash can. It didn't matter if we couldn't buy what we needed as long as that man had something to eat that wasn't pre-eaten. I've also given to a few charities that help house and move Jewish people from places where they are attacking them. I think its the International Fund of Christians and Jews. (Something like that.)

I remember when I was a growing up, we lived in a big city and my dad always picked up homeless people and hitch hikers and brought them home. We would feed them, sometimes they would even spend the night, and then he would give them a ride to where they needed to go. I think back and realize how dangerous that really was. I will help homeless people and hitchhikers but I rarely give them money. I might buy them something to eat,or clothes or a blanket. I know alot of homeless people just look for a hand out but there are some that have been through some kind of traumatic experience in their life and feel hopeless. I think more people should reach out to these people instead of criticizing them or judging them.

You are a good person. I once bought a homeless person somthing to eat and you right it does make you feel good. And I would do it again.

I'm not too fond of giving away money to homeless people, but a few times I got a hamburger or burrito to a homeless and I hope that is appreciated.

Some of these people are not as bad off as they seem. Sometimes they use your hard earned money to buy booze, etc. But that is on their conscious. I have given money to people in good faith. I had good intentions, wanted to help. So, yes, I felt good about it. What they did with the money is on their shoulders.

I went to a money making seminar once and they served us lunch; but it wasn't anything that I wanted; so I decided to give to someone else who would need it more than myself; So I was downtown, and the first person I saw in the park, I went to them, struck up a conversation, and we talked a little bit; then, I told him that I had a lunch and he was welcome to it, and the fella liked to kiss my hand off; I told him if he ever get to a point where he could help someone, please do.

A lot of time I have given money to homeless people...Although I would all want to give them a little something, I tend to priorise the ones that are making an extra effort to gain their 25 cent.. I mean sometimes it,s really ridiculus but entertaining ! hehe FOr exemple, there is this guy that hangs around all the time that is dressed with a spiderman costum and dances with music the hole day! I give him money each time I see him because I find he is actually making an effort to entertain people... I also give money to musiciens that are playing in the streets or in the subway..I find it sad that those talented people can't be rewarded a better way... My final thought on this would be that pauvrety is everywhere and as a society we sould really help those people ..I wish goverments would do more