thatsneakyguy
New member
I want some advice on giving money to homeless people or panhandlers.
I live near Baltimore, MD and occasionally run into people who ask for money. Many appear homeless. Some I believe are just poor. There are people who wait at traffic lights and intersections holding signs asking for help/money. I have given to some of these people a couple of times but not anymore.
Most of the time people ask for money and they say they want to buy food. I have given out money before but I don’t feel like it’s the best thing to do. I have also bought food for people and I felt better about that, rather than giving out money. Actually the food I purchased was more than I would have handed out.
I feel better about giving out food because if the person was genuine than I have given exactly what they asked for; and people actually need food to live. When I give out money I feel bad because I don’t know if it will be spent wisely.
Last year I was leaving the dollar store and a man asked me for money to take a bus. He appeared homeless and disheveled; he had a bag and either a bed roll or sleeping bag. I gave him 5 bucks, but felt bad. Where was he going? What would he do with the five dollars? Would that money really help his situation?
Another time someone asked for money was outside a grocery store. I just pulled into a parking spot and was checking my phone. A man was walking around the parking lot asking for money. When I got out of my car he approached me.
He’s displays some change like he is counting it.
I start walking over to the Chick fil-A and he starts to follows me.
Now I start to feel bad because I know he didn’t just want food, he wanted money.
But we still go into the Chick fil-A anyway.
I let him order something, it’s about 7 dollars.
I start to feel awkward, so I leave after I pay but before the food comes out.
Then I go back to the grocery store for shopping. I come out about a half hour later. There’s the same guy in the parking lot, still asking for money and someone gives him some. He starts to walk over to me to ask, but then he recognizes me.
Then I left. I felt bad because now I don’t know if he even got or ate the food I bought. Also because he was being dishonest. He didn’t really want some change for food, he wanted the money.
Now I try to say no to everybody who asks, I feel better that way. If I want to be charitable I will go directly to a charity and give my money there.
I have heard about cards you can hand out to homeless which directs them to a local shelter or soup kitchen. I would prefer giving out those but frankly I think most homeless would be able to find those shelters or soup kitchens. Seems like a waste of paper to start handing out cards and the person just throws the card away when you leave.
Advice?
I live near Baltimore, MD and occasionally run into people who ask for money. Many appear homeless. Some I believe are just poor. There are people who wait at traffic lights and intersections holding signs asking for help/money. I have given to some of these people a couple of times but not anymore.
Most of the time people ask for money and they say they want to buy food. I have given out money before but I don’t feel like it’s the best thing to do. I have also bought food for people and I felt better about that, rather than giving out money. Actually the food I purchased was more than I would have handed out.
I feel better about giving out food because if the person was genuine than I have given exactly what they asked for; and people actually need food to live. When I give out money I feel bad because I don’t know if it will be spent wisely.
Last year I was leaving the dollar store and a man asked me for money to take a bus. He appeared homeless and disheveled; he had a bag and either a bed roll or sleeping bag. I gave him 5 bucks, but felt bad. Where was he going? What would he do with the five dollars? Would that money really help his situation?
Another time someone asked for money was outside a grocery store. I just pulled into a parking spot and was checking my phone. A man was walking around the parking lot asking for money. When I got out of my car he approached me.
“Excuse me mister, could you spare some change? I want to buy some food” he says.
He’s displays some change like he is counting it.
“I can buy you food. There is a Chick fil-A right there, I will buy you something there” I say.
“Uh, ok sure.”
I start walking over to the Chick fil-A and he starts to follows me.
“Excuse me but could you spare some change? I need to take the bus” he says.
“No.” I say.
“Uh, ok”
Now I start to feel bad because I know he didn’t just want food, he wanted money.
But we still go into the Chick fil-A anyway.
I let him order something, it’s about 7 dollars.
I start to feel awkward, so I leave after I pay but before the food comes out.
“Thanks mister” he says.
Then I go back to the grocery store for shopping. I come out about a half hour later. There’s the same guy in the parking lot, still asking for money and someone gives him some. He starts to walk over to me to ask, but then he recognizes me.
“Still need some money?” I say.
“Aww thanks again mister” he says.
Then I left. I felt bad because now I don’t know if he even got or ate the food I bought. Also because he was being dishonest. He didn’t really want some change for food, he wanted the money.
Now I try to say no to everybody who asks, I feel better that way. If I want to be charitable I will go directly to a charity and give my money there.
I have heard about cards you can hand out to homeless which directs them to a local shelter or soup kitchen. I would prefer giving out those but frankly I think most homeless would be able to find those shelters or soup kitchens. Seems like a waste of paper to start handing out cards and the person just throws the card away when you leave.
Advice?
