Giving to the homeless

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SammyJankis90

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I recently moved to Washington DC for a summer internship. Every day, as I go to and from work or church, I pass several homeless people, asking for change, a meal, or a job, or just sitting on the sidewalk, taking a nap under some newspaper. I’m torn on how to react to this.

On the one hand, I grew up believing that a lot of people who went around asking strangers for money were either scamming you or would just take the money and buy drugs or alcohol. Likewise, the economically-minded side of me realizes that some of these people may be on government welfare and refuse to get a job, instead panhandling to pick up a little extra money.

On the other hand, is it really my place to judge? Should the fact that there is a chance that someone may take my money and spend it poorly, and, indeed, sinfully, change my approach?

I guess that’s my basic question: is it better to give directly to the homeless guy asking for change on the street corner, or to give to someone like Cross Catholic Outreach, who you know will handle your money responsibly? Of course, the conundrum is only compounded when you’re clearly going to or coming from church, when not giving could reflect poorly on the name of Christ, which we bear.

Anyone have any thoughts? :confused:
 
Better to give to a charity that will give them what they need, than give them $$$$$$ to buy more of their problem. A charity can also help them to find better solutions for their problems. Just to reinforce it, tell them what charity you give to, and where they can get help.

Would your rather give a man a fish, or teach him how to fish?
 
SammyJankis90 said:
I recently moved to Washington DC for a summer internship. Every day, as I go to and from work or church, I pass several homeless people, asking for change, a meal, or a job, or just sitting on the sidewalk, taking a nap under some newspaper. I’m torn on how to react to this.

On the one hand, I grew up believing that a lot of people who went around asking strangers for money were either scamming you or would just take the money and buy drugs or alcohol. Likewise, the economically-minded side of me realizes that some of these people may be on government welfare and refuse to get a job, instead panhandling to pick up a little extra money.

On the other hand, is it really my place to judge? Should the fact that there is a chance that someone may take my money and spend it poorly, and, indeed, sinfully, change my approach?

I guess that’s my basic question: is it better to give directly to the homeless guy asking for change on the street corner, or to give to someone like Cross Catholic Outreach, who you know will handle your money responsibly? Of course, the conundrum is only compounded when you’re clearly going to or coming from church, when not giving could reflect poorly on the name of Christ, which we bear.

Anyone have any thoughts? :confused:
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Although we are taught in Judaism not to be dependent on our emotions, which may mislead us, in this instance I would advise you to do what your heart tells you. For me, that means sometimes I give and other times I don’t. The real problem for people like me who live in New York City is on the subways, where there are always panhandlers and where panhandling is illegal. Still, if I am moved by the person in need, I give them some change. Of course, contribute to your preferred outreach charity as well.
 
Jerusha said:
Better to give to a charity that will give them what they need, than give them $$$$$$ to buy more of their problem. A charity can also help them to find better solutions for their problems. Just to reinforce it, tell them what charity you give to, and where they can get help.

Would your rather give a man a fish, or teach him how to fish?
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All fine and well if it’s just a man and not God incarnate…“when I was hungry you (did or did not) feed me…”
 
Neofight said:
All fine and well if it’s just a man and not God incarnate…“when I was hungry you (did or did not) feed me…”
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How is giving to a charity not feeding the hungry? The homeless shelters and soup kitchens can help many more people with your, let’s say $3, than you giving it to one person because they can combine the money from others, and help more in total.
There is also something to be said for prudence. Is it a good idea, for example, for a single woman walking alone to dig out her wallet for money?

As to the original question:
Our parish (downtown parish - so lots of panhandlers and homeless around), in conjunction with the police department, encourage giving to charities that help the poor rather than giving cash directly to panhandlers. It is safer for everyone involved, and leads to less incidents where police have to be called (after all, some of the panhandlers get into fights over the more lucrative spots).
 
I think you need to use your discernment. I tend to think it is best to offer food and drink and information about resources to help them. Money can sometimes be appropriate, but should we should be careful. UK and USA have welfare and homelessness is often associated with addiction and mental health problems and giving cash can finance addictions and delay them seeking the help they need. Also just a smile or a chat can be appreciated.
 
Neofight said:
All fine and well if it’s just a man and not God incarnate…“when I was hungry you (did or did not) feed me…”
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Also James 2:15, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

It is hard to advise someone against helping a fellow brother or sister if they feel so called.

If you feel uncomfortable handing out money, and we are right not to judge, then a wonderful alternative is taking a brother or sister in need and buying them a sandwich and a bottle of water.

Just giving, no matter how small, or no matter how few we can give to, may be enought to light a fire of faith, of hope and of love in others.
 
I think any giving is beneficial but if you’re concerned over how your money is going to be used, give inexpensive gift cards. I seldom carry cash but I almost always have a stack of gift cards in my wallet, pocket, glove box, etc. At one point I even had several set aside specifically for when we’d run into a homeless person or panhandler. It let me give something helpful without having to worry that they would use it on drugs or alcohol.
 
Neofight said:
All fine and well if it’s just a man and not God incarnate…“when I was hungry you (did or did not) feed me…”
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I like Neofight’s responce.

Those homeless men are compressed with oppression. People expect them to turn to wolves and get out of the situation and become men again. They are in a pressure cooker!

I work at a parish and in the past I knew first hand that the Church in many cases is moving ice cream to a bowl with a toothpick when it comes to work for the homeless.

More people have got to struggle for them, be concerned for them and not think ahead about what they are going to do with the money, ect.

Right now is the right moment, you gave at that moment and that should concern you only. It’s the giving moment that matters, much less then the spending moment.

“In an accepted time have I heard thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time, Behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2)

I appoach the homeless in words of simple doctrine, this opens the door to a gift that is supreme in noblity and we in all times should keep what Jesus said:

“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.” (Mt 12:36)

Words of Jesus and his papal Church are margialized by secular ways so that the idle word take shape, bring the right words to them and give them life.

An experience with the homeless is like sitting in the middle of the Trinity. Keep the now in mind.
 
I like Gordon Sims’ gift card idea. That’s really smart.

Also, along with what animalis and others were saying, I was somewhat convicted by the reading in today’s Morning Prayer, James 2:12-17:
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
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It doesn’t settle every question I have, but it’s certainly quite convicting.
 
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