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

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Mentally ill people, like paranoid schizophrenics, may be AFRAID (for irrational, delusional, reasons) to approach churches, the Salvation Army, or other organized charities for help.

If you see a person like that, wandering about in a cold rainstorm, or the snow, at minimum call the police to check on them. This is a safe approach that might prevent a needless death from hypothermia.
 
Pattylt said:
I now buy a bunch of gift cards for McDonalds or Wendy’s and give them one of those instead.
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I really want to find an affordable source of the military MRE or something equivalent (i.e., actually nutritious, and can safely store in this desert heat)
 
Techno2000 said:
Whatever you feel comfortable with, but it’s best not to label everybody “addicts” to avoid the problem. You know what they say , most people are living paycheck to paycheck.
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I don’t believe they are all addicts but I do feel that it is prudent to allocate my resources where I am sure they will help rather than taking a chance.
 
Giving money, giving food, buying or taking for a meal, offering to pay for the gas that is actually put in the tank, offering to put them in touch with the appropriate charity if applicable, or if none of these can be done, the very minimum is to pray they receive the help they need.

For various reasons as others have expressed above it is not always wise to open your wallet and/or give money. Whilst we shouldn’t judge with a wide brush, I think using prudence in every situation is what most of us do. The Bible passage that comes to mind here is when Jesus says ““Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves”, which can also apply here I think.

IMO, in these circumstances it can mean to rightly judge the situation (shrewdness), but remain innocent (not turn away/ignore without offering some form of assistance) - pray, donate money or food as appropriate etc.

Even if the amount of money you give to the person is only enough to by one glass of wine - and I see no problem with that - it is the fact, that if everyone donated say $4, then it all adds up to being able to purchase more - a cask of wine instead of a single glass or even drugs. And I don’t wish to be an enabler of anyones (from a Catholic perspective) immoral activity - getting drunk or drugged with possibly resulting in an overdose.

This is how I see this issue, though everyone else will naturally judge the situations they come across as they deem appropriate.
 
I had an interesting experience at Mass once. A somewhat disheveled man came into church and sat in the pew right in front of me. I could just sense that it seemed he hadn’t been to Mass in quite awhile as he was looking around at what other people were doing and going through the missal trying to find the appropriate readings. It seemed that he was trying to turn a page in his life, and going to Mass was part of it.

Well, when communion came around he got up to receive and left his threadbare jacket in the pew. As I got up to receive Holy Communion, I took a 20 dollar bill from my pocket and quickly placed it in the top pocket of his jacket and went up to receive. He never saw what I did and I bet he was surprised some time later when he found the 20 dollar bill that “miraculously” appeared in his pocket. I hope he put it to good use and I got such a great feeling at what I had secretly done.
 
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I would donate to homeless shelters themselves or some other service that deals with helping the homeless. Giving them resources directly does not help them get off the street and only enables them to stay on the street begging rather than using a service that could help them get off the street.
 
Luke chapter 10:

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.

He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’

Notice that the Good Samaritan, our example, did not give some coins to the man in need.

The Samaritan took the man to a place where there was help available, made a generous donation and pledged further donations as needed.

The $5 that you have to give can best help those in need through the work of a local charity. They can make that donation stretch in ways you cannot imagine! They also are able to discern the “scammers” from the honest people in need.
 
TheLittleLady said:
The $5 that you have to give can best help those in need through the work of a local charity. They can make that donation stretch in ways you cannot imagine! They also are able to discern the “scammers” from the honest people in need.
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These people are hunger now, you want them wandering miles and miles in search for some charity place?
 
No, I want every person to keep information with them - or a contact number of a person who knows where the nearest food pantry/soup kitchen/feeding program/restaurant with an outreach program is located.
 
TheLittleLady said:
No, I want every person to keep information with them - or a contact number of a person who knows where the nearest food pantry/soup kitchen/feeding program/restaurant with an outreach program is located.
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Homeless people have no cars.It easier to just let them buy some food from a convenient store.
 
I would suggest you visit a local food pantry or soup kitchen, they can explain how they work to help people right in your neighborhood
 
If there are no nearby soup kitchens then go buy them something to eat. That’s better than just handing them money.
 
TheLittleLady said:
I would suggest you visit a local food pantry or soup kitchen, they can explain how they work to help people right in your neighborhood
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I used to volunteer at a local food bank, those people were just poor and came in cars,the homeless are a whole nother level of poor.
 
My last suggestion, ask that food bank where the homeless shelters and soup kitchens are.
 
Zach said:
If there are no nearby soup kitchens then go buy them something to eat. That’s better than just handing them money.
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That’s on them, they are the ones begging for money.I cast suspicions aside, and give them the benefit of the doubt, just like I would want others to do for me if I was in that situation.
 
If I was truly starving of hunger I wouldn’t care what anyone thought of me. I’d be grateful for the food they give me.
 
Zach said:
If I was truly starving of hunger I wouldn’t care what anyone thought of me. I’d be grateful for the food they give me.
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Yes, they are, everyone I encounter on the street are very grateful.
 
Drinking a cold beer seems like a good idea after begging under the hot sun.
 
I do if I feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit. I think there’s nothing wrong with giving people money or asking if they want food or something, what ever you feel called to do and/or whatever you are able to do. As long as you are led by God, you will be fine. Whatever you do, do it cheerfully as I think often what people want more than money or food is a little human contact even if it’s just a greeting.
Oh and just to be pedantic, don’t assume all beggars are homeless nor all homeless are beggars. It is often not the case for either ‘category’.
 
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