Homeless asking for Money

[Camilla Marie Rae]

Do you give money to the 'homeless' who stand on freeway off ramps or a grocery stores with cardboard signs that say 'blah blah'? I don't. Not that I don't feel for those hurting from these crappy times, but I know there are many who make '$$$$$' doing this type of stuff. There a plenty of charities around that will help those who are actually in this position. Recently, I saw a guy give a homeless guy a tupperware full of food. The guy just took it and dropped it on the ground. He didn't seem happy, no smile. I think he wanted the money.....so What do you think about this?

 

[Whizzy]

The new mayor of Toronto should introduce a by law imposing a hundred dollar fine to persons apprehended donating to pan handlers . Enabling people to leech needs to be discouraged .

Give your money to legitimate programs that help the needy .

 

[Supermom]

Only a fool parts with his money to give to an individual with no ambition.

 

[abbylane]

I was thinking of going into that business myself. But reading how unsympathetic board members

are, I think I will forget about it. Besides, it's no fun in the winter. )

 

[littleash]

As a rule, I wouldn't give someone on the street $.

There are enough charities to donate to in every city. It's part of my grocery shopping routine to donate bi-weekly; it's amazing what 20.00 per month can get for the needy.

Would I buy someone a coffee, snack or a meal? Sure, at least I know it's not going to A/D.

There have been investigative reports on panhandlers that actually have more than meets the eye. Homes, Cars, etc.

LOL, those who stand outside the beer or liquor store, really piss me off!

 

[rainbowet95]

The TO Sun did an expose on a few of these types years ago... most notably the "Shaky Lady" in the Yonge/ Bloor area:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/678638/posts

As a rule, I don't give panhandlers any $. Fortunately there aren't many that I've seen K-W area.

When I lived in TO back in the early 90's, there was a guy w/ no legs in the Yonge/ College area that I gave a few loonies to occasionally. That's about it...

 

[Hayleigh]

And the misnomer in the title of this thread is "homeless". Just because they are begging for money doesn't mean they don't have a home. IMO they are just too lazy or ?? to get a real job and contribute to society as opposed to being a leech.

There was also an indepth review of the people who lived in tent city down by the lake. Most who lived there actually had jobs to go to but couldn't afford the downpayment on a house, or the first and last on an apartment. They interviewed one guy who had a "wife", a job, etc now him? I'd give him money but he doesn't beg.

Now on the other hand, I ALWAYS give a good chunk of change to girl guides, cubs, sea or air cadets who stand outside trying to raise funds. I did that as a kid and it isn't fun and the money goes to a good cause. Same goes for salvation army santas etc.

Another thing I don't do is put change into those acrylic boxes at the checkout in most stores. There was also an investigation and they found that many of those too were scams and not legitimate charities.....

 

[Staci Lancaster]

There's one down and out guy in my area I always give a loonie to. Only because I know he doesn't drink and he'll do little things like hold someone's dog by the leash when they've gone shopping.
He's unemployable, but a nice old fellow.

But in general I don't give handouts, it's as bad as feeding raccoons.

 

[lin]

I used to skate along the path from the beaches to cherry beach etc and there was a guy who used to clean up the trails. I'd give him a couple of bucks everytime I saw him because after he went through and picked up all the litter? It was a nice(r) skate. He'd fill up 4 bags full of crap after a weekend.......

Now those types of guys deserve to be given money because they are actually providing a service.

I only saw him one season though, I bet the union got after him for taking away a city worker's job......(for about 1/10th the price I might add).

 

[The awesomest person ever]

I have come up with a politically correct term for a homeless man..."side walk entrepreneur".

I never give them money but I used to make them lunch bags and hand them out in the Van DTES. It always amazed me how many of them didnt want the food but instead wanted only money.

 

[jimmyjfox]

I never do, not a penny. I put my head down and keep walking.

 

[Pompal 09.]

You're kidding of course... "Entrepreneur" usually denotes a very hard working individual who through great risk and perseverance comes out on top. Hardly applicable in this situation.

I just call them beggars. No politically correct term is required in this case. :grrrrrr:

 

[tehe :)]

I never give money to them....but when we took the kids on holidays this summer, every night they had a doggy bag from dinner......and they gave it to the teens kids that were on the streets.

They felt really good doing that for them, I swear they didn't eat their dinner just so they could see the faces of these teens when they gave them the food..........DAM I have great kids!!!:love:

 

[swingswingx3]

NEVER give homeless people money. I used to give change when I was a little more naive and new to the city. I even gave one teen a 20 - terrible, I know!
But then I started buying $5 McDonalds gift cards and handed out one or two each week when I lived downtown. This all started a few years ago when I read one of those words of the day -- "Altruism" -- and it kinda stuck with me.

 

[basketball addict]

Kind heart, to go along with those delicious BOOBS :grrrrrr:

 

[cambay]

It amazed you? lol....no really...did it? They don't want food, just the money to buy their crutch of choice: alcohol, pot, speed, wet, crank, crack, whatever....

I used to feel bad for "street kids" and I'm sure some of them come from abusive homes but I've told this story before, I worked for a company who built exhibits and we did one on the organization helping street kids. The premise was their stories would be printed and put on the back wall for all to see. I got to read a bunch of them and except for 1, the underlying theme was "my parents are too strict so I can't live with them". In other words, they had to do their chores, do their homework, help clean up after dinner BEFORE going out with their friends or watching tv.

I almost shit myself when this one 15 yr old said that he parents were so terrible they made her do her own LAUNDRY. OMFG can you believe that? A 15 yr old having to put her clothes in the fucking WASHING machine AND actually push the buttons? OH the horror...the horror. She was boo hooing about having to eat from garbage cans etc....only thing I could think of I guess eating from garbage cans beats doing laundry (in her mind).

 

[veggiegirl777]

Of course They dont want food bags, They need money for alcohol.

 

[Chariot]

I have been homeless for 11 years. you'd have to be standing outside in the snow or freezing rain to make any kind of good money with a sign, and in that case, the person probably needs it. I dont qualify for most of those legit programs you speak of. so i fly a sign and hope to eat at night. Use your discretion on an individual basis. If they look like con artists, they might be. But if the look like they need help, why not give them a mcdonalds gift card or something instead of money? that way you know they wont spend it on drugs or alcohol, and if the arent needy, they cant spend it on rent or an iphone either.

 

[VIVA USA]

You've been homeless for 11 yrs? So...how'd you post the above? You have a laptop with wifi or a smart phone?

 

[audide]

wasn't this guy was it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPPi7wOkBbU

I know someone who, when asked for money would go into the nearest McDonalds or whatever fast food place was close and buy the person a meal and take it back to them. Sometimes he would sit in the park and eat and talk to them over lunch.