Panhandlers

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Churchman25

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There is this guy who stands in a parking lot near my local hannafords who holds out a homeless sign. The thing is though is that same said to my grand parents I need money to fix my car. When my grand parents came back a week later he said the same line. Today I gave him a candy bar but in the future would it be uncharitable for me not to since I found out this new information?
 
There is no requirement to give anything to panhandlers. You can pray for him if you want to do something.
 
Each and every truly needy person knows where the official charitable organizations are - that’s the first place one goes when in need. You will notice that this guy is not there. He does not want what the charities offer - he wants $$$.

To buy???

We should use prudence when dealing with such persons. I don’t want to buy their next (or last) drink, or their drugs for them. I’ll also bet that there are several temporary labor companies in town. Why is he not there?

Having dealt with these folks for decades, they have innumerable tricks. We saw them swap out leg braces or crutches at their “shift change” beside the highway off-ramp. Are there genuine needy out there? Sure, but they really need to go to the established charities for help.
 
po18guy said:
Each and every truly needy person knows where the official charitable organizations are - that’s the first place one goes when in need. You will notice that this guy is not there. He does not want what the charities offer - he wants $$$.
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My husband used to work at a parish that had what they called the “front door ministry.” They would help whoever they could & if they couldn’t, would find out where the person could get help. Several times I directed panhandlers to the parish, but they never showed up.

My favorite story was the guy who asked for school supplies for his children. But when my husband said sure, we’ve got that, the man said, no, what I really need is breakfast food. Sure, said husband, we have that. The man was getting agitated and said, no, what I really need is (don’t remember what). Husband said, sure, someone donated it today. At that, the man got really angry and shouted, you guys never help me! Obviously wanted cash. 🤷
 
My sister-in-law is a Discalced Carmelite nun (she is one of the community’s externs) and she says they have several people come to the turn, claiming to be hungry, and ask for a handout. The sisters will give them a grocery bag full of food (non-perishables, like granola bars, and fresh fruit and perhaps a sandwich) and then find the item dumped in the street. It’s sad that people will try to scam even a group of nuns. 😦
 
Churchman25 said:
There is this guy who stands in a parking lot near my local hannafords who holds out a homeless sign. The thing is though is that same said to my grand parents I need money to fix my car. When my grand parents came back a week later he said the same line. Today I gave him a candy bar but in the future would it be uncharitable for me not to since I found out this new information?
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Nope. It is deceptive of him to try and scam money out of people with that lie.
 
One of my friends engaged a panhandler in conversation. She expressed great sympathy and empathy, but the panhandler became agitated. BECAUSE. By taking up the panhandler’s time with her conversation, she was cutting down on his hourly “take”.

There was a GREAT Barney Miller television program in which a panhandler was arrested for panhandling. He called his wife to bail him out and was observed to tell her to leave the kids with the maid. Check your listings.

One of my friends is an amazing inner city Catholic priest. He said he and his various ministry friends used to have some small bills and generously gave them to panhandlers. One day, one of his friends told a panhandler that he had run out … and the panhandler stabbed the minister to death. So they stopped giving out money.
 
A lady of about thirty years of age begs near the bank I go to.

I chatted with her and asked her if she needs bed pillows. She said yes. Two days later I gave her bed pillows. We chatted a bit about the Lord and I then gave her a plastic rosary and leaflet of how to say the rosary. She smiled and put the rosary around her neck and hugged me. I gave her five one-dollar bills.

As I got back to my car in the bank parking lot and before I proceeded to exit at the light, I turned back to see her and she was waving at me with a big smile.

I keep her in my prayers, and will chat again when I see her there.
 
I speak briefly to a panhandler here in Pittsburgh. I advised him to get a Square reader, too many people out there don’t carry cash.

Back not so long ago, a post outside a liquor store to beg for food money would have been ideal- they used to be cash only enterprises in PA. Now, its all cards, he isn’t doing anything.
 
The fact that some panhandlers are scam artists does not mean that all of them are.

There are people who will put something noxious in food items and give them to panhandlers. This is one of the reasons some panhandlers will not take food.

I’ve dealt with panhandlers who I believe scammed me. I’ve dealt with others I’m convinced were sincere and in real need.

On the whole, I’d rather lose two dollars to a scam artist than deny it to someone who will use it for food.

There are charities that help the homeless and destitute, and donating to them is an act of charity. Some people would rather do that then give to panhandlers on the street. God less them for it. I still think there is room for other forms of giving.
 
Churchman25 said:
There is this guy who stands in a parking lot near my local hannafords who holds out a homeless sign. The thing is though is that same said to my grand parents I need money to fix my car. When my grand parents came back a week later he said the same line. Today I gave him a candy bar but in the future would it be uncharitable for me not to since I found out this new information?
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While we are under no obligation to give to everyone, particularly if it is beyond our means and might hurt our own family, in Judaism there is also the teaching that if one holds out one’s hand begging, it is appropriate to give something, no questions asked regarding the use of the money. Do I always follow that teaching? No, I do not, yet I do not think of myself as uncharitable. However, is there room for improvement on my part? You bet there is. Sometimes, too, money, food, or material possessions are not the only sources of charity. Sometimes a kind word, conversation, a prayer, guidance involving how to find food and shelter, or even a smile can be just as helpful to someone in need.
 
I talked to my grand mother and it turns out the guy that they gave money to was not the guy I gave a candy bar to.
 
Churchman25 said:
There is this guy who stands in a parking lot near my local hannafords who holds out a homeless sign. The thing is though is that same said to my grand parents I need money to fix my car. When my grand parents came back a week later he said the same line. Today I gave him a candy bar but in the future would it be uncharitable for me not to since I found out this new information?
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It’s YOUR call, BUT:)

How about letting God worry about the details. God CREDITS your charity even if its a scam. BUT I like the idea of giving food rather than money here.

PRAY about it:thumbsup:

Thanks and GBY.
 
It is a good opportunity to fuction in the prophetic gifts of the holy spirit. Silver and gold I do not have but 1 cor. 14:25 your heart is revealed. Bethel bible college in redding cal have Christians who fiction in the prophetic holy spirit. . yes it takes training . to be an intenerent christian
 
I know that there are several people who jointly “own” various street corners for begging purposes. I see the same 4 or five people taking their respective shifts. This is a turn-off to see the same people always begging, month after month!

I TRY not to be judgmental, but I am far from perfect at it. I find that I give more often to the guy with a prosthetic leg and to the pregnant lady than I do to the guys who look like they could get a construction job. Christ was not judgmental, and I try not to condemn the able-bodied guys who are begging instead of working. I do not know their stories, and perhaps they are as “deserving” of my help as the others. How can I judge? But also, how can I stop myself from judging?

I often will take advantage of the Two For $____ specials at local fast food places. The second sandwich costs only a dollar or so more, and I will hand that Arby’s sandwich to one of the regular beggers who hangs out at one of the intersections between Arby’s and my work. This happens often enough that (I hope) he knows I am not trying to poison him!

I cannot help every begger. There are far too many of them, my resources are limited, and giving cash to beggers is not the most efficient way to help the poor. I do give to Catholic Charities, I give to my parish poor box, and I give to several food pantries and food banks. And I pray for them. And I pray for myself, because I know I should not judge, and yet I do.

May the Lord bless and protect us all! In this land of plenty, we horde and protect our own far too fiercely!
 
I always try to pull out a few bucks for someone who is begging. Maybe that person is not worthy, or uses the money to by alcohol, or whatever, but that is his/her sin, not mine. What I know is in Mathew 25:41-43, Jesus indicated the punishment for not doing so is rather severe. I would prefer to err on the side of caution and assume the person is really needy.
 
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