Comments on: Your Take: Do You Give To Panhandlers?

By: Seamus

Seamus — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 03:53:39 +0000

You don’t criticize those who don’t give, but you question the guy you were in Chicago for not giving. “How can you just pass by so many people and never reach into your pocket?” sounds critical to me. You seem to be questioning that person’s values simply because he isn’t willing to pull out cash and hand it over the way you are.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:22:32 +0000

I don’t usually have cash on me, anymore. But when I do, I give.

Is it possible that some of them are scammers? Yeah, I guess. But I’ve been entwined much more closely with scammers than that before, in my life. I came out of it OK.

Is it possible that they’ll spend it badly? Sure. But then, it’s possible that anybody else I gave it to would spend it badly as well. In either case, that’s on their own head, not mine.

To me, it’s just part of being thankful for all I have.

By: Master Phu

Master Phu — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:36:50 +0000

“There are bleeding heart programs set up all over this country that are specifically designed to get people off the street, not to mention the thousands of illegal immigrants that come to the US with nothing and find ways to make a living and support a family, including a place to live.

Homeless people are homeless because they want to be. If they want money, they can get a job. That is where my money comes from.”

I firmly believe this. My parents are refugees from Vietnam. They were forced to leave everything behind when the Communists took over and came to a country where they didn’t know the language but used the existing government assistence programs to start a life here and to raise me. They didn’t complain about their situation and they most certainly didn’t panhandle.

There’s no reason that immigrant families can survive in this country but someone who grew up here and knows the language can’t. So no I refuse to give money to panhandlers.

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:56:50 +0000

I never give money but if I have the time and the look like they need it I”ll offer to buy them food.

Every single time they’ve turned me down.

By: Frugal Babe

Frugal Babe — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:28:55 +0000

I’ve given food to panhandlers several times. They always seemed grateful, and I think they really needed it. The library where I work collects food for a local food bank, and it makes it really easy to drop off canned goods when I get to work, so I do that every week. I’ve been known to occasionally give money to panhandlers when something tugged at my emotionally, but I know that in general it’s not a good idea, and it’s not something I do often.

By: Pamela Grundy

Pamela Grundy — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:41:18 +0000

Almost never. Never say never you know? The thing is, if you offer to buy them food they usually get mad so screw it, you know? But if it looks like someone is actually hurt or hungry, I’m not made of stone.

By: Penelope @ Our Fourpence Worth

Penelope @ Our Fourpence Worth — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:33:54 +0000

I don’t give to panhandlers either. I carry very little cash, opting to use credit cards for everything, so I can honestly reply, “sorry I don’t have any cash.”

Once my stepfather and I were coming out of a grocery store and an old woman came up to ask for money for food. My stepfather said he won’t give her money but we were about to go get some tacos and offered to buy her something, and she said, “I don’t like tacos.”

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:23:00 +0000

Haha I love this.

The girl’s story about being from Seattle really hits me, because I’m living in Seattle. We’ve got panhandlers/bums (whatever) in spades here. West Coast does in general.

Do I give to them? Um no. Here if you did that, you’d quickly find yourself going broke. They’re more aggressive on the West Coast too, so it’s not unusual for a bum to heckle you or even follow you for a block or two. Just a case of growing thicker skin. Sure it seems like I’m a jerk, and I might be. But just cause you’ve got a sob story doesn’t mean I really owe you anything, I don’t have sucker written on my face after all.

Really the most helpful thing you can do for a bum, is if they ask for money for food, etc is to call take them up. Say someone asks you for a few bucks for food. Best response is to take them to a convenience store and buy them some food, or a pizza place. 9 times out of 10 they’ll decline, because what they want is booze or drugs. Help them out by giving them what they ask for, not money.

By: Teri

Teri — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:13:51 +0000

I encourage everyone NOT to give to panhandlers… Giving money on the street does NOT help, food/water may help for the moment. But if no one would hand over money then even those with addiction/mental problems would be more likely to go to an organization/program for help. A large majority of truly homeless are there because of mental and addiction issues. They need trained individuals who have the resources to get their problems addressed and get them placed in a safe environment. The scammers, well, then they would be out of a job. Let’s be compassionate by contributing our time and money to organizations that have at least a chance of truly helping these people. Think about donating to church organizations, local government shelters, United Way, the VA and other veterans’ organizations, etc. Addiction and mental illness are complicated issues that an individual $20 won’t cure, but a room safe from street violence, a dedicated counselor, and a network of support (for food, training,etc.) just might make a difference.

By: Lo. Price

Lo. Price — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:10:50 +0000

I know this is not exactly a problem with an easy solution, but I agree with others that I don’t give directly to panhandlers. I have given in the past and there are plenty of opportunities for me to give to panhandlers, since I live in a college town. I agree that it is better to give to organizations that serve the homeless, or even better, to volunteer with such organizations.

By: Jadin

Jadin — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:50:51 +0000

i am really dismayed at the cold heartedness of some of your commentators. Whether you give to panhandlers or not is of course a choice, but, really, all these people are choosing to be poor, homeless, dirty, hungry? There is but a thin line between you and “them”. Violence (domestic, otherwise) and illness (including addiction) are life shattering.
Every segment of life has its con artists, some con us from Wall Street others, Main Street, but to judge an entire group of people by them is ridiculous and ignorant.

By: dong

dong — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:25:40 +0000

I’m a bit shocked by the anger in the comments here. I personally don’t give to panhandlers not because I think I’m being scammed, though there are plenty of scams, but just because I rather as a policy I rather give to organizations that I think can make a more lasting impact. Better allocation of resources. While I believe circumstances are direct result of choices, it’s a little harsh to say the homeless are homeless because they want to be homeless. Hell, I want to be a billionaire, but that doesn’t just happen. Sure there are the homeless who actually have homes, but that’s exception rather than rule. A story about homeless person who doesn’t have a home isn’t very interesting. Clearly the homeless who are not mentally ill (and plenty are) have made poor choices in life. Should they reap the consequences of their decisions. Certainly. Should they also be shown some compassion? Definitely.

By: Sara A.

Sara A. — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:04:17 +0000

My cousin used to give cold bottled water to panhandlers in the summer and snacks like peanut butter crackers in the winter. Then, one of the panhandlers got angry and threatening with her because she would not give money, and she stopped giving to panhandlers entirely.

One time I was at a major intersection just after rush hour. The scruffy looking panhandler got into a black BMW parked at the light, and another scruffy panhandler got out of the car, took the first guy’s sign, and picked up right where he left off.

By: Deby

Deby — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:48:47 +0000

I gave money once when I was young to a panhandler who intimidated me into yet. He then immediately said he was going to use the money to buy drugs. I’ve never given a dollar to anybody on the street since, as unfair as that may be to those who are truly in need.
My BF, on the other hand, will give to anybody and everybody. One time he gave his last $20 to a man who claimed to be a down on his luck veteran (and looked the part). The look of sheer joy and surprise on the man’s face, and his enthusiastic thank you’s, made me ashamed of my own stinginess. Still, I prefer to give to organizations who I’m more sure will use the money for food and shelter, rather than booze and drugs.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:07:24 +0000

I don’t give to panhandlers though I have purchased food for them before. A few times panhandlers used the “I’m hungry” line and I stopped and offered to get them a sandwich. To date:

I’ve purchased food a couple times that I can remember for grateful people
Gotten funny looks a few time
Been told no that they want the money a few times.

The worst thing about panhandlers (and the reason I simply ignore them now) is when they expect it and demand you to give them something. I was in a hurry walking to a meeting having a smoke and a panhandler asked me for a smoke; I shook my head and continued to walk (I’ve given this guy a smoke every now and then). He promptly started yelling profanities at me for not giving him something that I paid money I had earned for. The incident angered and frustrated me so much that I don’t give anything to panhandlers anymore.