Do you ever give money to a homeless person holding a sign

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Do you ever give money to a homeless person holding a sign begging for help?
 
Sometimes I just get a feeling – a nudge from the Holy Spirit? – that I should.
 
Tough question. I usually don’t, but I have at times in the past. Too many thoughts about what if he’s scamming, what if he tries to get in my car, isn’t it better to give to the mission or SVDP, etc.
(this is more about men I see begging in parking lots / intersections).
 
I only recall doing it once, but that was because the guy called out to me. (Early Sunday morning, and I was the only car at the light.)

I do normally give money (or buy food) for homeless people who come up and ask. Biscayne Boulevard in Miami was not nice on my wallet.
 
I’ll give when I can. I’m not worried about being scammed: if I can afford two dollars for a hungry person I can afford to be scammed for two dollars, and I’d rather risk the scam than not help someone who needs it.
 
I have before. Maybe again I don’t know. Once when I was gassing my car this guy asked for some gas money. I gave him some money he walked off got in a car with someone wait and they drove off without getting any gas.

Another time at same gas station a guy gave me a story about being out of gas and needing just enough to get to a city that I was going to. Offered him a ride. He said how many can ride in your truck I said four he said well I there’s five of us and walked off.

Next time someone approached me at that gas station I was very rude and told them to go away. Not proud of it but it happened.
 
Often.

I keep a $5 bill in my sun visor for such situations.
 
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I was coming out of Penney’s in a large shopping mall when a man driving a white pick-up called to me. He left his credit card at home, he said. He wanted to know if I could gas up his truck. Needless to say I didn’t. Let him go back home for the card…gassing up a truck would cost me a fortune.

Another time a man was standing in the middle of two lanes of traffic. I felt bad for him so I gave him a dollar. Some are probably really in need. He then thanked me. He said “God bless you!”
 
Yes I do. It is a perfect way to both help the poor, being less selfish and learning to share with others who are less fortunate. It also helps to fight against disorderly love for money and excessive materialism (greed).
 
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I saw a family once, so I went to the grocery store and bought some food (hot chicken and stuff) and gave it to them. Not sure they were thrilled.
 
Back when I carried badge and gun, I watched them. Also heard from fellow officers about their activities. We noted that they all know where the approved charities are, but are not there seeking help.

They want cash.

That buys anything. One does not need much imagination there. Some would switch their thrift-store leg brace at “shift change.” I would ask them how business was and they would smile.

The moms with children? Hmmm. Saw one begging at the entrance to a large store. I did a few minutes’ shopping nearby and then traveled to another town. There she was, having beat me there! No bus makes that kind of time. She had a car.

I note that most have a pack of smokes, a well-fed dog, good pair of shoes and are uniformly younger and in better health than I am.

There is a moral distinction to be drawn here between the commercial beggars and the needy. I have found that the needy are at local charities and churches. The rest shame you into giving at intersections.
 
Husband and I have given them food. i do not however give anything when i am by myself or with my children in the car.
 
That is strange, from my experience people will not always thank you, however anyone can tell they are grateful. I know I would if it was the other way around.
 
No, I follow the example of the Good Samaritan. I direct these people to the agencies in my town that have the training, facilities, etc to assist. Places that provide food, shelter, clothing, medical care, etc.
 
@ skelly Lol! Sounds like the gas stations on Dixie Hwy, Bardstown Rd, or any of the major roads connecting with the Watterson Expressway in Louisville, KY. I got hit with the gas scam. A clean-cut and well-spoken guy who exuded integrity and embarrassment said he worked at GE & had run out of gas while trying to get home to Bardstown. Said he could repay me when he received his next check on Friday. The same turkey tried me a second time later that week, on the far side of the city, saying he had to get back to Fort Knox. I later saw him with a boy about 7 in a Kroger parking lot. The kid gave a sad sob story while the dad stayed mainly hidden among cars.

Although I give generously to worthy charities, I do give to all I see, unless I know, without question, that they’re working a scam. “There, but for the grace of God, go I,” and I remember many times when I was a paycheck away from disaster.
 
I used to give to all that asked…a couple of bucks. Then I read about how these guys (usually men though seeing more women now, too) are often not destitute and can make quite a good “wage” begging.

I now buy a bunch of gift cards for McDonalds or Wendy’s and give them one of those instead. Sure, it may still be a scam and they may sell the cards to someone else for cash but I’m not responsible for that. I have stopped giving anything to those I recognize being pros. At a grocery one day, gas station the next…our city isn’t huge and eventually faces become recognizable.
 
I rarely do. Lately though, I’ve wondered whether I should. It just seems like street beggars are running a scam. It’s hard to believe any of them can’t get help from the govt or a charity in today’s America. It’s more likely they want it for drugs or booze.

There’s an intersection I pass on my way home that has a homeless guy begging at least 2-3 times a week. There are two “regulars”. But they’re never there on the same day. Almost like they coordinate. It’s been years and they’re still begging.

Earlier this year I was having lunch at a Chik-fil-A. A minivan pulled up in the parking lot next door and a man and woman got out with about 4 young kids. They put out lawn chairs and set up a sign saying they needed help. Within minutes they were overflowing with food and probably some cash too. The guy didn’t look embarrassed at all though. Looked like this was routine and he got the expected result. And the kids acted normal. Like they did this all the time.

A few years ago a pretty girl approached me as I was coming out of Best Buy. She said she was out of gas or something and needed money. She was clean and well dressed but it didn’t feel right at all. I ended up telling her I didn’t believe her. She huffed off. I felt I’d been right but wasn’t positive. About 6 months later I was in a nearby parking lot and the same girl came up to me again and told the exact same story from Best Buy. This time she looked run down though. I’d have guessed she was 21 at Best Buy. 6 months later I’d have guessed a worn and used 28. It was drugs for sure.

I’m probably jaded, but I just assume folks who beg are scamming. I’d much rather give to charities where they have to engage with workers who can better assess the situation and offer appropriate help.
 
I prefer to give food and toiletries (especially since I never carry cash).
 
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