Give money to panhandlers?

[Al_Masetti]

It’s unfortunate that the 80% that are on drugs or who are mentally ill can’t be helped in a more substantial way.

But, we can make sure that they have something to eat by supporting the soup kitchens.

In New York City, there used to be large numbers of panhandlers at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in mid-town. What the Port Authority did was to approach each of the panhandlers with a police officer and a social worker. Each panhandler was offered comprehensive outreach services including counseling, soup kitchen, use of a building nearby that was equipped with showers, etc. However, they had to leave the bus terminal and stop harrassing the bus passengers. If a panhandler refused, then he or she had to leave immediately and not come back.

In New York State, there was a very strong movement to deinstitutionalize the mentally ill. The State government was supposed to set up “half-way houses” to assist the former mental hospital clients in re-adapting to society. However, the State of New York did not establish the “half-way houses”. So the former mental hospital clients ended up being dumped onto the streets to fare for themselves.

In the end, it turned out to be a lose-lose proposition. The “homeless” lost the protection previously offered by the mental hospitals. And the rest of society had to be confronted by people who were incapable of taking care of themselves.

Turned out to be a terribly bad set of decisions.

There ARE some of the homeless who are down on their luck. Like the fellow who had been gainfully employed but got injured and could no longer work. When he went to the union to tap into his pension fund, it turned out that the money was gone; the union officials went to jail, but the former worker had no place to turn; the disability award was insufficient to allow him to support himself. So, he lived on the streets and used the soup kitchen services.

 

[jimmy]

Love does not necessitate giving money; why not give certificates for food which cannot be used on drugs or alcohol?

Then give them certificates. Just be charitable. Don’t simply walk by them, they might actually be in need.

 

[rayne89]

The question is, what do you lose if you give to the poor man on the corner? The answer is nothing. You might give him a few bucks but really you have lost nothing. Money is meaningless in the long run and will only get you into trouble. I find it amazing that people can create a logic that will get them out of being charitable. Christ did not qualify His statements in Matt.25, He simple exhorted us to give to those who are in need because He is in them. Do not qualify charity, simply be charitable to all. As Paul says, charity trusts all. If you are charitable you should trust that that person needs your help. You should trust that he is unable to help himself. And if your trust is not on sollid ground what do you lose? Nothing. You have not been screwed. Love is not concerned about getting screwed. Instead you have gained the world. Christ died on the cross for us ungrateful humans who sin every day. Does He begrudge us and restrict the effects of His sacrifice to those who are perfect? No, He forgives all. Therefore considering this I exhort you to give to the beggar. Who is the government to restrict charity? If a poor man is in need of aid who is the govt. to say he can not beg of another for aid and that another can’t give to him? When they do that they have become anti-Christian and they have also put themselves against man. Love is central to Christianity and without it we can not call ourselves Christians.

This is not fair. People can give plenty to homeless shelters and food pantries. Giving to pan handlers can definitely be a safety issue. Pull out your wallet or open your purse and you can find yourself the victim of robbery. For drug users and alcoholics you are enabling them, not helping them. If they bottom out they may seek help, if they keep getting money to support their habit they may never seek help. Just because one does not give to a stranger on the street does mean they are looking for an excuse not be charitable.

 

[StratusRose]

Usually, when I give money to a panhandler he/she gladly accepts it. He/She may or may not use it on drugs/alcohol. What really makes me mad are the beggars whom I give money to and they say “Is this all you got?” Makes me want to snatch back what I gave them. Once I was at an intersection with my windows down and a man literally shoved half of his body in my car and explained that his car broke down and he needed money to get back home. Ironically, a liquor store was at the same intersection…I gave him $5 just so he would go away and he said “I need more than this.” I said curtly, “that’s all I have” and rolled my window up. I was so mad.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Usually, when I give money to a panhandler he/she gladly accepts it. He/She may or may not use it on drugs/alcohol. What really makes me mad are the beggars whom I give money to and they say “Is this all you got?” Makes me want to snatch back what I gave them. Once I was at an intersection with my windows down and a man literally shoved half of his body in my car and explained that his car broke down and he needed money to get back home. Ironically, a liquor store was at the same intersection…I gave him $5 just so he would go away and he said “I need more than this.” I said curtly, “that’s all I have” and rolled my window up. I was so mad.

I’m sorry you got taken advantage of like that.

One thing to consider is that this person’s lack of manners may be partly why he is in such need. Imagine interviewing someone like that for a job… So people who are that annoying might really need the help.

I’m going to take the advice of some people on here and offer to go buy them food if someone asks me for money.

 

[Al_Masetti]

This is not fair. People can give plenty to homeless shelters and food pantries. Giving to pan handlers can definitely be a safety issue. Pull out your wallet or open your purse and you can find yourself the victim of robbery. For drug users and alcoholics you are enabling them, not helping them. If they bottom out they may seek help, if they keep getting money to support their habit they may never seek help. Just because one does not give to a stranger on the street does mean they are looking for an excuse not be charitable.

Absolutely right.

As I have already posted, a good friend of a very good friend of mine was stabbed to death by a panhandler. And the murder victim was a Protestant minister, who was known to the entire community of “street people” … who was actively involved in helping the homeless … and he was killed because he had run out of money to hand out.

So, giving on an impulse right then and there may not be the best idea. A better idea is to check out the neighborhood soup kitchens and shelters and inner-city parishes to find one that you can either volunteer at or send money to.

The idea is NOT to feel good about yourself. The idea is to help these homeless people to survive under difficult conditions OR to help them get out of the mess that they are in.

 

[Kathrin]

But what do we make of this: “Give to anyone who asks?”

 

[juliamajor]

Mt 5:38-48- hard stuff to swallow isn’t it!!

 

[He_Man]

If Christ had no problem giving money to the Roman government that eventually sentenced Him to death and executed Him, then I’m pretty sure He wouldn’t take issue with us putting a few dollars in the hand of a beggar who may or may not spend it on drugs or alcohol.

What beggars do with the money is their responsibility, not ours. Ours is simply to give. If it makes you feel more comfortable to offer food, drink, or clothing rather than money, by all means do so, but please don’t feel any inhibition whatsoever about giving money, at least not based on what the beggar may do with it afterward.

Jeremy

That’s how I feel. I give whatever I am able in the instant; if they abuse my money, that is between them and God. No where does Jesus say to give your money only under the assurance of it being used for healthy motives. I give and leave the rest up to God.

 

[Kathrin]

It is especially difficult if, for example, I am coming back from eating free food because I can’t affor to buy myself a good meal, and then somebody asks me for 2 dollars for a burger. Saying they don’t like that free food or whatever.

OK, I think I am the kind of person who would rather give the money to somebody else and eat free food myself, BUT, in such a situation, what do you do???

Two days ago I gave a woman two dollars (and I wasn’t a very cheerful giver at first, I must say) for a burger. Yesterday I saw her again, me just coming from eating free food. I offered her bread I had in my bag. She said no she needed something right like meat. This time I didn’t give her another two dollars. I ended up giving her 50 cents though.

I am so torn sometimes! If I myself eat free food, because my budget is so low, what do I do with this “give to anyone who asks”?

Or, a friend gave me a 10 for my birthday to help me out, so that maybe I can afford a cup of coffee at the cafe… but then the next couple of days about five people asked me for money.

Usually I try to give just a little bit.
But it is so fifficult sometimes!

Often I do tell myself though, they might need it more than I do. I’d rather give that person some money and go without something myself. I can survive on very very little. And God always provides again somehow.
But then sometimes I feel (selfishly?) that if I often eat just (free)
bread and fruit to save money, do I have to buy somebody else who asks me a burger?

Kathrin

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I am so torn sometimes! If I myself eat free food, because my budget is so low, what do I do with this “give to anyone who asks”?

Or, a friend gave me a 10 for my birthday to help me out, so that maybe I can afford a cup of coffee at the cafe… but then the next couple of days about five people asked me for money.

Usually I try to give just a little bit.
But it is so fifficult sometimes!

Hi Kathrin, I think you’re a real saint to be giving your money away when you have so little to begin with. God bless you!
Neil

 

[Al_Masetti]

The ultimate would be to give panhandlers ALL of your money, and then join them living on the streets and eating at soup kitchens and panhandling for cash.

 

[Kathrin]

It really is something to think about, isn’t it.

How far do we go?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I live in a small town and we don’t have panhandlers, and haven’t since I was a little kid. Hoboes used to come to my grandmother’s door and ask for money for food. She knew they would buy wine (in those days), so she made them two big sandwiches, one for now and one for later. She would tell them to first eat the sandwich, then sweep the porch and she would pay them to do it, which she did. She had them sweep in order to at least pay lip service to what pride they might have.

I’m not sure why there are no panhandlers anymore. I suppose because the police know who’s real and who’s bogus, and in a rural area, the welfare workers and church workers can figure out who needs things and who doesn’t, in a hurry. And then too, if, say some guy you know from high school is down on his luck, you know he is, and there are a number of other people who know him too, and will help him out.

Knowing who people are makes a lot of difference, I guess. In the city, you can’t know who is in need and who isn’t. I will say that the person who buys the food coupons has a good idea.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I’m going to start carrying rice for them. I’ve found that that last thing I’d want to eat is plain uncooked rice, but if I’m hungry enough (and too lazy to go get groceries) you can chew raw rice and it’s quite edible and nutritious.

When I don’t feel like going out to buy a snack, the dry rice in the back of the cupboard is usually my last option. So only the people who really need help will take the rice, and if they do need help, they’re getting a nutritious meal (make sure it’s whole grain rice).

 

[jimmy]

Absolutely right.

As I have already posted, a good friend of a very good friend of mine was stabbed to death by a panhandler. And the murder victim was a Protestant minister, who was known to the entire community of “street people” … who was actively involved in helping the homeless … and he was killed because he had run out of money to hand out.

So, giving on an impulse right then and there may not be the best idea. A better idea is to check out the neighborhood soup kitchens and shelters and inner-city parishes to find one that you can either volunteer at or send money to.

The idea is NOT to feel good about yourself. The idea is to help these homeless people to survive under difficult conditions OR to help them get out of the mess that they are in.

But the problem with this is that you start from an attitude of suspiscion. You automatically suspect, with no real reason, that the poor guy is going to harm you.

 

[jimmy]

That’s how I feel. I give whatever I am able in the instant; if they abuse my money, that is between them and God. No where does Jesus say to give your money only under the assurance of it being used for healthy motives. I give and leave the rest up to God.

Yes, exactly. This is what it means to love. If someone needs your help, help them if you can. Do not worry whether they will abuse your kindness.

 

[Cathryn]

I’m going to start carrying rice for them. I’ve found that that last thing I’d want to eat is plain uncooked rice, but if I’m hungry enough (and too lazy to go get groceries) you can chew raw rice and it’s quite edible and nutritious.

When I don’t feel like going out to buy a snack, the dry rice in the back of the cupboard is usually my last option. So only the people who really need help will take the rice, and if they do need help, they’re getting a nutritious meal (make sure it’s whole grain rice).

I wouldn’t recommend eating raw rice. If someone is truely hungry and eats much of it, it combines with water in the stomach and expands. It needs to be cooked, then the person can eat the right amount and not sicken themselves. If you’ve ever seen a dog who has gotten into raw rice you would see how the stomach blows up as the rice sits in the stomach.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I wouldn’t recommend eating raw rice. If someone is truely hungry and eats much of it, it combines with water in the stomach and expands. It needs to be cooked, then the person can eat the right amount and not sicken themselves.

Thanks. In my experience it takes so long to chew that it would be hard to over-eat. But I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m tempted to resort to snacking on rice.

 

[jimmy]

You are right - it costs us nothing. But what of the cost to them?

Each time you give to someone who lives on the street, you are encouraging them to continue to live in isolation and desperation. Every food certificate, handful of change or bag of chips PREVENTS them from seeking help at a shelter or a Church. Our goal, as Christians, should be to help steer them to where they will receive the nourishment they truly need (and deserve). Rather than helping to encourage their isolationism and resistance to seeking assistance through organizations that are specifically designed and set up for such help, we should gently and lovingly direct them to such places, and give generously to our Church groups and shelters that minister to them. The goal is to help the homeless get off the streets, give them a reason to strive for health and happiness (when possible) and offer them the love of Christ. Satisfying our own need to feel we are doing our part as Christians by buying them a meal is a short sighted aim.

I think you have twisted the words of Christ. Christ exhorts us to feed the poor. He does not exhort us to send them to someone else. We are the instruments of Christs love, not some charity. It is about persons, not charities. You yourself should love your neighbor not some charitable organization.

No, you are not encouraging them to live on the street. You are showing the love of Christ. It is not our job to think up some sylogism that will say you shouldn’t give, we are to sumply give because Christ is in that person.