Beggars

[royboy]

I was walking back from work the other day and a lady with a pram asked me if I could spare change for her to buy nappies. I gave her 20cents.

What would you guys have given?

Would you have belived her or would you just give her the benefit of the doubt.

The only thing I was thinking was what was she doing with her welfare money that she couldn't even afford nappies.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

Pram? Nappies?

 

[Mskedi]

I likely would have gotten her some diapers, but if I were pressed for time, I'd give money. I don't carry around a lot of cash, so it'd only be a couple bucks or less, most likely.

 

[royboy]

Pram? Nappies?

Heh heh. Fawcet? Take-out?

 

[royboy]

I likely would have gotten her some diapers, but if I were pressed for time, I'd give money. I don't carry around a lot of cash, so it'd only be a couple bucks or less, most likely.

But wouldn't you question why she needs to ask strangers for money to buy diapers? I mean, what would she be spending the bulk of her money on. Alchohol? Junk food?

 

[Mskedi]

I've worked in homeless shelters, and gotten to know a good number of the homeless in my town fairly well, so the poor aren't a faceless group to me for one thing.

Yes, there are people asking for money on the streets who don't need it or who will abuse what is given to them. But there are also people who do need it. I don't have the time nor the desire to research who is who. We should give wisely, and when it comes to charities and such, I do do quite a bit of research to make sure my money is well spent. But I think the main thing is that we should give... without hesitation.

 

[royboy]

I've worked in homeless shelters, and gotten to know a good number of the homeless in my town fairly well, so the poor aren't a faceless group to me for one thing.

Yes, there are people asking for money on the streets who don't need it or who will abuse what is given to them. But there are also people who do need it. I don't have the time nor the desire to research who is who. We should give wisely, and when it comes to charities and such, I do do quite a bit of research to make sure my money is well spent. But I think the main thing is that we should give... without hesitation.

Fair enough. I suppose the desire to helf should override the fear of being conned.

 

[Jasminrose]

I don't carry a lot of money in my purse, but I think I would have given her what I had. If you are referring to foodstamps when you say welfare, than food stamps doesn't buy anything taxable, at least that is the way it is in Iowa.

I agree we should give without hesitation. Its easier said than done, but its what we are called to do.

 

[royboy]

I don't carry a lot of money in my purse, but I think I would have given her what I had. If you are referring to foodstamps when you say welfare, than food stamps doesn't buy anything taxable, at least that is the way it is in Iowa.

I agree we should give without hesitation. Its easier said than done, but its what we are called to do.

Over here we have the dole. Which means you get money if you're unemployed. You only have to provide minimal proof that you've "tried" to get a job to get the dole.

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

As one of the above posters said, i would have offered to buy the diapers rather than give her money for it. If she asked me to buy her some whiskey, well at least she was being honest

 

[royboy]

As one of the above posters said, i would have offered to buy the diapers rather than give her money for it. If she asked me to buy her some whiskey, well at least she was being honest

Buying diapers would probably have been more satisfying.

 

[Moros]

Meh, it's like bums who hang around in parking lots asking for change because they ran out of gas. I don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Athene]

Pram? Nappies?

Pram

Nappies - diapers.

 

[trunks2k]

I don't give to beggars in the street solely because a good amount of them, especially the ones that approach you, even more so if they have some sort of "gimmick", don't need it. There's some people (probably a majority of the beggars around here) that make a lot of money begging. Also, if they were indeed homeless, another large subset of them would just use my money for drugs/alcohol - so I don't think me giving them money is any help.

 

[Jasminrose]

I agree I don't think its our place to judge what they are spending the money on, we've done what Christ has called us to do. If we are constantly wondering what they are spending their money on then we are always going to be suspicios, and never want to give. I mean really is a couple bucks going to break you. God knows what they are spending their money on.

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

The main reason, and sorry if I contradict my earlier post, I would buy the product instead of give money is what another poster said above. A lot of times, the people out there begging have a lot more money than you do. When I was a teen, there was a guy who stood outside McDonalds by the Sears Tower in an Italian suit, asking for money. If they truly NEED the food or the money, they will accept what you buy them. If they are just trying to scam you, they will accept nothing but the money. And that way, I can make sure any money i give goes to someone who needs it.

 

[royboy]

The main reason, and sorry if I contradict my earlier post, I would buy the product instead of give money is what another poster said above. A lot of times, the people out there begging have a lot more money than you do. When I was a teen, there was a guy who stood outside McDonalds by the Sears Tower in an Italian suit, asking for money. If they truly NEED the food or the money, they will accept what you buy them. If they are just trying to scam you, they will accept nothing but the money. And that way, I can make sure any money i give goes to someone who needs it.

That's probably the best way to go about it. Next time if they say it's for food, I'll buy them a sandwich. I was a bit far from a store that sold diapers though.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

I see people panhandling every day where I live (Austin, TX). I don't give them anything, though I do volunteer regularly to offset my feelings of guilt.

 

[bammertheblue]

I see people begging a lot here in DC. Generally I don't give money, just because there are so damn many people and I hardly ever have change easily accessible.
I have given people my leftovers from dinner, and felt more like I was doing more good doing that than I would be giving them 75 cents or whatever I had on me. They probably need the food more than I do- I have a kitchen full at home, and I am pretty sure they don't.