How to respond to the homeless

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Where I live there are people of different ages that hold signs such as “Homeless…anything helps” near the highway exits. What is a Catholic response to these individuals? I feel guilty not giving them money, it feels awkward to give them anything else, if I do give them money I feel foolish because I’m not sure if I should be doing that. I guess I don’t really know these people and what they really need. What is the right way to act?
 
In my personal experience, most of the sign holders are scammers. It is better to give a donation to the local Catholic Charities and know that your money is going to a worthy cause. NEVER give cash to someone on the street. I know it is hard to do that so I keep a number of $5.00 “gift cards” for Subway or McDonalds in my truck. That way, I can give them a meal rather than handing out cash that they might be using to buy drugs/alcohol.

I saw a “60 Minutes” episode a long time ago where they followed a “homeless guy” on the streets of NYC that was clearing 100K a year as a “street person” while living on the Upper East Side.
 
FLGreg said:
In my personal experience, most of the sign holders are scammers. It is better to give a donation to the local Catholic Charities and know that your money is going to a worthy cause. NEVER give cash to someone on the street. I know it is hard to do that so I keep a number of $5.00 “gift cards” for Subway or McDonalds in my truck. That way, I can give them a meal rather than handing out cash that they might be using to buy drugs/alcohol.

I saw a “60 Minutes” episode a long time ago where they followed a “homeless guy” on the streets of NYC that was clearing 100K a year as a “street person” while living on the Upper East Side.
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I agree! I live in the East Village neighborhood in NYC. After a while, you get to recognize the professional beggars and junkies who prey largely on the tourists who frequent our area.
On one street corner of a major thoroughfare, there are numerous “homeless” who wash and wipe windshields at the red light and then demand a tip. Not too long ago, I picked up almost $5.00 in pennies that were lying in the street, sidewalk and gutter. They had been thrown there by the bums who couldn’t be bothered with them!
I have learned that if you want to do something, if they say they are hungry, offer to take them to a nearby restaurant and pay for their meal, as long as they eat it in the restaurant.9 out of 10 times the begger will turn you down.
The only way to give alms anywhere is to donate to the poor box in church or to Catholic Charities, or the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Then you know that the genuinely poor are getting your money.
 
FLGreg said:
In my personal experience, most of the sign holders are scammers. It is better to give a donation to the local Catholic Charities and know that your money is going to a worthy cause. NEVER give cash to someone on the street. I know it is hard to do that so I keep a number of $5.00 “gift cards” for Subway or McDonalds in my truck. That way, I can give them a meal rather than handing out cash that they might be using to buy drugs/alcohol.

I saw a “60 Minutes” episode a long time ago where they followed a “homeless guy” on the streets of NYC that was clearing 100K a year as a “street person” while living on the Upper East Side.
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The gift cards are a great idea! I never thought of that!
I also say a small prayer for that person.
 
I spent three decades in law enforcement dealing with such individuals. They all know where the bona fide charities are - and you notice that they are not there. Oftentimes, it is because those charities will not distribute alcohol and drugs. Certainly, there are some who are truly needy, but the help they need is often spiritual rather than financial. As well, some been seen exchanging leg braces when their “shift” is over. The local news channel followed one woman and found that she had a rather nice vehicle parked just a few blocks away.

How about printing cards with the address and phone of the local food bank and other charitable organizations, and handing those out?
 
Rhubarb said:
Luke 6:30-36?
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Yes this is what i was thinking

I usually give a dollar when I can which is almost always

but I would like to maybe print out some cards to local charities or even a prayer card for them so I can give that as well!
 
starryheart said:
The gift cards are a great idea! I never thought of that!
I also say a small prayer for that person.
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I don’t know if it made any difference but I put a clear address label on the back of the “gift card” with a quote from Isaiah 41:10 - “fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand”.
 
Rhubarb said:
Luke 6:30-36?
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True … then I read 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11:

“For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work”

How do you reconcile these two passages?
 
FLGreg said:
True … then I read 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11:

“For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work”

How do you reconcile these two passages?
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I guess there are a few ways to answer this question. Being this is a Catholic forum, I guess the answer is that the Church reconciles these two passages, or leaves it up to the individual if there’s no hard teaching. I’m not sure if there IS a hard teaching on this matter.

I’m reminded of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Gandhi, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” I’m sure Saint Paul (though there is scholarly questions if he truly penned the book) had a pretty good reason for writing what he did in 2 Thessalonians, they were trying to start real communities. But no one wears wrist bands that say “What Would Saint Paul Do?”, it’s all about Jesus. One quote is red text, supposedly directly from the mouth of Christ Himself. The other is not. I think Christ is pretty clear in multiple places that we ought to be charitable, even if the person who we’re giving it to is undeserving.

For me personally, I try to keep a few spare singles on me whenever I go out in case I’m approached. I know some of the people I’ve given to are scammers, sure. But I can’t know for sure if they all are. And refusing people who need help because SOME scammers fake it is a text-book part-to-whole fallacy. I figure at worst, it means I can’t afford to eat out one week. But I don’t blame someone who has kids or other obligations who can’t afford to give.
 
Rhubarb said:
Luke 6:30-36?
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mab23 said:
Yes this is what i was thinking

I usually give a dollar when I can which is almost always

but I would like to maybe print out some cards to local charities or even a prayer card for them so I can give that as well!
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We are not excused from using prudential judgment. In biblical times, the needy were readily apparent, and there were not the drug and alcohol problems as we see them today. I know that a good percentage of our cash donations go directly to the local crack dealer, or meth dealer, or liquor store. Look in the bushes adjacent to their favorite spots: a recyclers dream of cans and bottles. This does not apply to 100% of them, but think what their mother feels as she sees them collecting financing to continue their habits.

Virtually all of these people know where the genuine, government and Church supported and Church-run charities are. They do not go there. They do not want work, housing, food or clothes. They want your cash. We must ask ourselves why.

Our Priest sends them to the local outreach ministry, rather than give them cash.

I’m sure that he is familiar with Luke.
 
Rhubarb said:
I guess there are a few ways to answer this question. Being this is a Catholic forum, I guess the answer is that the Church reconciles these two passages, or leaves it up to the individual if there’s no hard teaching. I’m not sure if there IS a hard teaching on this matter.

I’m reminded of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Gandhi, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” I’m sure Saint Paul (though there is scholarly questions if he truly penned the book) had a pretty good reason for writing what he did in 2 Thessalonians, they were trying to start real communities. But no one wears wrist bands that say “What Would Saint Paul Do?”, it’s all about Jesus. One quote is red text, supposedly directly from the mouth of Christ Himself. The other is not. I think Christ is pretty clear in multiple places that we ought to be charitable, even if the person who we’re giving it to is undeserving.

For me personally, I try to keep a few spare singles on me whenever I go out in case I’m approached. I know some of the people I’ve given to are scammers, sure. But I can’t know for sure if they all are. And refusing people who need help because SOME scammers fake it is a text-book part-to-whole fallacy. I figure at worst, it means I can’t afford to eat out one week. But I don’t blame someone who has kids or other obligations who can’t afford to give.
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That quote from “Gandhi” is highly disputed. Perhaps you are enamored by the Ben Kingsley’s character from the big screen. I could be wrong so please post a link to a direct quote to what you are referring to.

Good for you though … I do not know what ”a few spare singles" can do in the grand scheme of things. I guess it might make you feel better about yourself. Perhaps you could donate your money to any one of the many Agnostic Hospitals, Agnostic Universities, Agnostic Homeless Shelters, or Agnostic Charities.
 
I think it would be a mistake to assume that most homeless people are scammers. It might be true that many of them have drug and/or alcohol problems, but that does not mean that they are unworthy of our love, prayers, and support.

Personally, I volunteer for a organization called ‘Project Open Hands’ that operates in the Tenderloin District in San Francisco, an area that has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. The main thrust of the organization is delivering meals to people with serious illnesses - it’s a bit like Meals on Wheels, except we are on foot and in a large city. Of course, many of the homeless do not qualify for this program. Often, when the other volunteers and I are making our rounds, we will also carry sandwiches and water bottles to hand out to people on the streets. I can tell you from first-hand experience that even if a homeless person has a drug or alcohol addiction, that does not mean they will not accept a sandwich. It’s not uncommon for me to give out 20 sandwiches in only a few minutes. Another time, we gave out socks instead. At first, looking at my bag of socks, I thought “How am I ever going to get rid of these?” They were dirty, mismatched, and ugly. It turns out that the socks went even quicker than the sandwiches.

I guess my point is that it’s always better to lean toward the side of compassion and leave the judging to God. It’s probably not a great idea to just hand out money, but I like some of the other ideas that people have mentioned, like gift cards. And of course, charities like the ones mentioned above are great too, although I think it would be a mistake to think that they have the power to help everyone. I know in San Francisco you often have to line up for soup kitchens or homeless shelters hours before being served - it’s kind of hard to get a job in you have to spend all day in line at the homeless shelter.

God bless!
 
I would not give cash as I am afraid it would just fuel a habit or addiction they may have. When I was working in NY, I would buy a sandwich or something and give t to the person.
 
chazk728 said:
Where I live there are people of different ages that hold signs such as “Homeless…anything helps” near the highway exits. What is a Catholic response to these individuals? I feel guilty not giving them money, it feels awkward to give them anything else, if I do give them money I feel foolish because I’m not sure if I should be doing that. I guess I don’t really know these people and what they really need. What is the right way to act?
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It is not for us to judge who is or is not worthy or is or is not genuine.

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’**”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

What does it matter if someone is taking advantage of us? What is the consequence?Nothing.

What does it matter to not help those in need? Everything
We are to do as Jesus taught us and love our brothers and sisters and help all our neighbours.
Treat each of them as though they are Jesus Himself.

Faith and charity should come naturally to each of us.**
 
This is indeed a difficult question and one that we all face at some point in our lives. In fact I would say that it is one of the more common “tests” of our faith.

A couple of Bible passages have been mentioned.
Luke 6:30-36…2 Thessalonians 3:10–1 to these I would add James 2:15-16
15 If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, 16 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?
It seems that the question is less about whether to give but rather about what to give and in what way.

I’m not impressed with claims - even if true - that many are scammers or they will use the money for drugs etc…For the act of charity - the giving - is in no way diminished if the person who receives then misuses the gift. After all, who among us can say that we have properly used every gift that God has given to us.
So - withholding charity from a street beggar based on an assumption that the person is a scammer or, in some other way, not worthy I do not find legitimately Christian.

That said…I DO agree with some of the comments about giving something other than cash. Scripture does not demand that our gift be cash. Luke mentions cloaks and shirts. James mentions “things needed for the body”.

We are told to Love others as we love ourselves…in Mt it states:
So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
So maybe the question is…How would we wish to be treated if we were homeless?
Tied to that might be - If I were homeless, what would I be trying to do about it?
Then we might take that examination of ourselves and how we would wish to be treated and apply that to how we deal with those who beg from us.

I’m not offering answers here - because frankly I have none. I am no better than others in this and perhaps worse than many. Just some more things to consider as we examine ourselves in the light of the Law of Love…

Peace
James
 
I keep $10 Subway gift cards in my wallet for the folks I encounter that look like they need help.

The best bet is support charities so the people that need help can get it. Giving money to the people directly is a bad idea.
 
FLGreg said:
That quote from “Gandhi” is highly disputed. Perhaps you are enamored by the Ben Kingsley’s character from the big screen. I could be wrong so please post a link to a direct quote to what you are referring to.

Good for you though … I do not know what ”a few spare singles" can do in the grand scheme of things. I guess it might make you feel better about yourself. Perhaps you could donate your money to any one of the many Agnostic Hospitals, Agnostic Universities, Agnostic Homeless Shelters, or Agnostic Charities.
Click to expand...
Really? That’s a bit hostile, isn’t it? Besides, attacking me doesn’t address my argument. That’s another logical fallacy. Regardless, I know the quote is disputed in actuality. That’s why I specifically quoted from the movie, and not the man. It doesn’t change how the quote speaks to the discrepancies between the two verses discussed. I’m just giving my view on the subject, and I’m definitely not trying to say that giving charity to organizations rather than directly to people is bad. And I’m not trying to say that giving things other than cash money is bad, too. That sounds like a great way to make sure your gift is used in a productive way.
 
I live in the state of MA. It is a very liberal state and as I understand it homeless people across the country to one extent or another sort of direct or suggest to other homeless people that MA is the place to go if your homeless. I was also homeless myself for 2 months about 20 years ago and lived in homeless shelters. So I got to know the homeless intimately from the ‘inside’. I also worked in a homeless shelter for several months and have continued to work with various populations such as people in recovery from substance abuse, the homelss, formerly incarcerated men, adults with major mental illness, etc. There is a LOT of crossover between these various groups.

Prior to becoming homeless I knew nothing about homeless shelters or any government programs set up to supposedly help the disenfranchized. Living in a homeless shelter was quite an eye opener. It was culture shock for me. I learned that a fair % of those living there were basically drug addicts who were also criminals and would steal every day to get money for drugs, eventually get caught, do some time in jail, then return to living in homeless shelters upon release. Another portion of them were alcoholics/drug addicts that didn’t do crimes to support their habits but begged to get money for their stuff.

Another things I learned: People who are homeless and do not seek or have a way out through work will almost always wind up on SSI or SSDI (disability). People in the shelters here help them apply and help them get it. It takes 6 months minimum to be approved. If someone is obviously very mentally ill they easily get approved. If someone has some degree of mental/emotional problems (most all do to one extent or another) they can and often do initially get denied. BUT, if they continue to live in a homeless shelter, and see a psychiatrist regularly and report symptoms such as hearing voices they will be prescribed meds and whether or not they actually hear voices or actually take the meds…simply because they continue to reside at a homeless shelter, at least in MA, they virtually ALL eventually get approved.

One appauling factor is that once you apply the clock starts ticking. So if your denied 2x and ‘win’ the 3rd time and it’s been 20 months since the date you orignially applied… you are entitled to and receive a check equal to what would be your monthly ammt your ‘entitled’ to x20. So people get these ‘retro’ (retroactive) checks equal to 6 months or more disability income. In MA the minimum is around $750/month. So people get their first check for $4,500 to possibly up to 20K or something if they have a work history where their income was of a reasonable ammt (you know, everyone gets each quarter from the SS admin a letter saying "if you become disabled today your montly income would be x) the more you earn yearly the more you would get, up to a maximum ammt). Now immagine and alcoholic, or especially a drug addict, being handed a check for 5-10 grand.

So most ‘chronically’ homeless, in addtion to receiving food stamps (which in MA they don’t need because the shelters as well as soup kitchens give out free meals so they can all eat 3 squares a day, at least in MA…they also recieve a check from the soc sec admin of several hundred a month (and the shelters are free to live in, they can get free clothing, they hand out tooth brushes and put tooth paste on your brush, you get soap to shower with). So the only money a homeless person really needs in MA if they live in an urban area is a little for food (covered more than enough by stamps) and maybe some for bus fare. Medical care is free, medications might cost the homelss a few dollars per prescription or they might get it for free, I’m not sure on that one. But there is no co pay to see doctors, etc.

The way to tell if a homeless person is addicted to alcohol and/or drugs is to see when the first of the month comes around if they are at their usual spot begging. People get their SSI checks on the 1st of the month, SSDI checks on the 3rd. If they are drug addicts they just ‘scored’ so they are not begging for dollars, they are out spending their hundreds on coke or heroin or whatever. Some of them even rent hotel rooms for a night or 2 to live in luxury while they do their drugs for those 1-3 days. Then they come back to the homeless shelter broke. No money for cigarettes if they smoke, spending the rest of the month begging for money for cigarettes (if they smoke) or alcohol or drugs. Supporting an alcohol habbit by begging is easy, a pint or quart of vodka doesn’t cost much. Begging to support a crack or heroin habit is much harder because of the higher cost, hense more of them will shoplift and some will do robberies.

If you have the opportunity, and are so inclined, you can pay attention to the beggars you see and pay attention the first few days of the month to see if they are there. If they are, they are NOT drug addicts. (the SSI, SSDI checks do some the friday before if the 1st or 3rd comes on a Sunday or holiday (not sure on Sat) but has to do with the mail and non mail days). So this way you can learn if your giving your money to a drug addict.

There are homeless who don’t drink or use drugs too. Some are elderly and burnt out by life and/or have medical problems and no family to take care of them. But these people generally don’t go begging. They are also allowed to stay inside the shelters during the daytime when shelters kick everyone out.

God Bless,
Bill
 
Part 2, too long for one post:

In MA there are programs in the shelters where they will give people jobs in the shelter working in the kitchen, etc. There are rules about participating, you can’t use substances, you have a cerfuew, etc. They are effective if the person is motivated and isn’t severely impacted by major mental illness. In MA they also have special homeless shelters for those with major mental illness, they are much much nicer to live in than the generic shelters. I have had clients living in them. They have private rooms or share a room with one person (compared to a dorm with 100 people), they have staff trained to deal with the mentally ill, they have nurses to look after them, coordinate their medical care, give out their medictions, etc.
These poeple can also get on the fast track to getting into a group home or getting their own apartment, assuming their CORI (criminal background check) isn’t bad (arson, drug dealing, lots of voilence).

If your giving cash to people begging I wouldn’t assume it’s going to feed a starving baby. I would be more inclined to think it’s going to cigarettes, alcohol, or hard drugs. And like I say, if your so inclined and the same people are in the same spots every day…do the beginning of the month check to see if they are there…if they are they are either not a drug addict or they have not yet been approved for disability.

When I was homeless i had minor expenses (sometimes i would take the bus, occasionally I would buy a soda, make phone calls to my father vai pay phone, or buy a snack). I sold my food stamps for this. I was too proud to beg and didn’t need the money for anything, I had enough for bus fare to get to and from places I was applying for jobs and to counseling. I got a job in one of the shelters via one of their programs and then was all set re: income vs expenses. Then I got into a program where I paid rent and had a room and participated in counseling and recovery and working together to learn and practice basic life skills (I was a basket case, had extreme fear of people b/c of PTSD ffrom childhood). This program saved my life and gave me a life and it was privately funded.

The government programs are much worse, they dont reallly help people learn independence, they just sustain them with taxes from other people (plus those programs take people who get SSI, SSDI, the program I was in was a ‘working program’. You needed a job to live there. There were many other requirements too.

Give money to beggars? It’s up to you. But realize there is a reasonable to high likelyhood it’s going to drugs/alcohol.

I actually have a client right now that lives in a mental health group home. He gets $50/week spending money after paying for his rent and board. He goes out and begs for money. He uses it for cigarettes and alcohol. YOu would think he’s homeless to see him, he doesn’t use a sign, but he has his own room in a group home for people with mental illness. We are working with him on getting a job but he doesn’t have the same motivation as you and I have as the gov’t via taxes pays for all his living expenses. He does actually want to work but isn’t ‘driven’ to work and isn’t ‘pushed’ to work b/c of bills.

God Bless,
Bill
 
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