What can we do to help the homeless and the poor

[WilT]

If you are a frequent business traveler, an easy thing to do is to take your leftovers after meals and then give them to one of the workers outside your hotel or anyone else you come across that appears to be in need. Most often when traveling on business, most people don’t take their leftovers because they have no place to keep them in their room - lack of a fridge, leaving in the morning, etc. Don’t just let the restaurant server take your plate away with food. Get a box and hand it off to someone in need.

so true, but be sure that the leftovers aren’t partially eaten. Having them separated ahead of time is a good thing. We must treat them with dignity and help them to conserve it as well.:whackadoo:

 

[zab]

I am sure that there are more than one lesson that can be learned from the following anecdote, but the main thing that I want to get across to people with a generous heart is that when you give something away-Let it go.
When I was a teenager, I cleaned house for one of our more wealthy parishioners who owned a business in our small Midwestern town. On occasion she would have some items of clothing that her grown daughters had outgrown and she wanted to pass them along to me. But she would always ask if I wanted them or not, and said that she would not be offended if I did not. Then she related the story of a time when she gave one of her beautiful hats to poor woman hoping that she would appreciate the beautiful gift. One day she drove out to the country to visit this woman and spotted her hat on the fence post, placed there to scare the birds away from her garden. How sad and disappointed she was to see her generous gift treated so carelessly.

 

[WilT]

I am sure that there are more than one lesson that can be learned -Let it go.

Isn’t there a saying that another mans treasure is another mans/womans trash or was it, another mans/woman/ trash is another man/woman’s treasure. I guess it can go either way!

 

[Zoltan_Cobalt]

“I am for doing good to the poor, but…I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. I observed…that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.” – Ben Franklin

 

[mikekle]

At our parish, which is about the largest catholic church/ school in the general area, they give out money to the local homeless and poor people, alot of people in the parish do not like this, including my father, who has been a member since he was a child starting 1st grade there! He says they are just abusing the churches generous nature and using the money for drugs and alcohol.

I do have a feeling that is true after being asked for directions to this church while I was fueling up at a gas station down the street, these people pulled up in a car that looked like it was about to die on the road, they were sweating, shaking, and looked like they were withdrawling from drugs, I also saw what looked like track marks, but not 100% on that, they asked me where the nearest catholic church was, so I gave them directions to my church, they said, oh, is that St henry, I said yes it is, they seemed happy about that, Im assuming they know the church hands out cash.

Ive also seen a few homeless people coming into the church as the priest is walking down the aisle towards the back to end the mass, as soon as the priest walked outside, they were right there, asking him for money, he told them to follow him to the rectory, and he got them their money…soon as they had it, they were off in a hurry! Im not sure how much the priest gives these people when they come asking, I assume its around $50-100…but dont know for sure.

My father has talked to the head priest about this, but he says he is content giving them cash, its on them to decide whats best to use it on, but I think the church is getting popular in the city, but for the wrong reasons!

 

[zab]

At our parish, which is about the largest catholic church/ school in the general area, they give out money to the local homeless and poor people, alot of people in the parish do not like this, including my father, who has been a member since he was a child starting 1st grade there! He says they are just abusing the churches generous nature and using the money for drugs and alcohol.

I do have a feeling that is true after being asked for directions to this church while I was fueling up at a gas station down the street, these people pulled up in a car that looked like it was about to die on the road, they were sweating, shaking, and looked like they were withdrawling from drugs, I also saw what looked like track marks, but not 100% on that, they asked me where the nearest catholic church was, so I gave them directions to my church, they said, oh, is that St henry, I said yes it is, they seemed happy about that, Im assuming they know the church hands out cash.

Ive also seen a few homeless people coming into the church as the priest is walking down the aisle towards the back to end the mass, as soon as the priest walked outside, they were right there, asking him for money, he told them to follow him to the rectory, and he got them their money…soon as they had it, they were off in a hurry! Im not sure how much the priest gives these people when they come asking, I assume its around $50-100…but dont know for sure.

My father has talked to the head priest about this, but he says he is content giving them cash, its on them to decide whats best to use it on, but I think the church is getting popular in the city, but for the wrong reasons!

Is it possible that the priest is giving them his own money? In that case there would be nothing wrong with that. However, it could set a bad example, in my opinion, and make the parishioners vulnerable to future visits from panhandlers. I would be upset, too, if he was giving gypsy panhandlers money from parishioners tithes. In the past, usually a few times a year, our parish has been visited by panhandlers, too. When our pastor was informed of this, he recommends that the parishioners not give money to them. He noted that we have St. Vincent de Paul (as well as other organizations and food banks in town) that assists people with their needs. And if people want to help he recommends donating money to our local St. Vincent de Paul Society. But of course people are free to do what they want with their money. But they need not feel obligated to give money to these people who often give you a long story such as, “We ran out of gas and my wife locked her purse in the car, so we need money for bus fare to get to her sister’s house on the other side of town…” The next year it is the same story. And the year after it is a similar story and so on. I gave them money at first, even though I suspected that they were not telling the truth about their situation. But when they came around the next year with the same story, I didn’t think it was right to encourage them to keep coming back to prey on church going people so I no longer give money to aggressive panhandlers. Until recently, we haven’t seen them around for a while. But, a couple of weeks ago, there were two panhandlers on church property ready to approach people coming out of church. I heard that our pastor had gotten word from his brother priests that panhandlers were making their rounds again. Father spotted them in the parking lot as soon as he processed out of Mass and went over to them and told them that they could not ask for money on church property and (in the nicest way that he could) said that if he saw them doing it he would call the police. They left immediately. I thought they would go across the street, but they were gone.

 

[WilT]

What is it that I read? So much fear of the Poor! Most of those on this site are doing well for themselves and when they hear a poor individual is getting money their shorts get all bungled up! If its not your money that’s being given out why does it become your business. It’s NOT your money so why become negative. I read these comments and some writers have a bully mentality. Relax. God provides others to hand out $$ so let us be glad and rejoice. Being positive and loving is better received in Christianity and others than negativity and abuse. It’s not our money that we earn or have, it’s Christ’s. God gave us life and without our lives we would have nothing! No money.

 

[zab]

What is it that I read? So much fear of the Poor! Most of those on this site are doing well for themselves and when they hear a poor individual is getting money their shorts get all bungled up! If its not your money that’s being given out why does it become your business. It’s NOT your money so why become negative. I read these comments and some writers have a bully mentality. Relax. God provides others to hand out $$ so let us be glad and rejoice. Being positive and loving is better received in Christianity and others than negativity and abuse. It’s not our money that we earn or have, it’s Christ’s. God gave us life and without our lives we would have nothing! No money.

Baloney! Where did you read that on this thread?

 

[WilT]

Baloney! Where did you read that on this thread?

Why so defensive zab!

Not necessarily in this thread but as a whole. I thread about the poor on more than one occasion and I seem to always get a negative almost hostile response by a few regarding helping the poor.

 

[zab]

Why so defensive zab!

Not necessarily in this thread but as a whole. I thread about the poor on more than one occasion and I seem to always get a negative almost hostile response by a few regarding helping the poor.

I think most people are generous and would give to someone truly in need. Many like to be responsible with their giving. Not even God gives to each whatever they ask of Him. He knows what they need. There is nothing wrong with being cautious and responsible about one’s giving to the “poor”. That is why they donate to organizations whose mission it is to help those in need. People have good reason to be concerned when panhandlers show up at their church on Sunday morning. So let’s not make rude comments directed towards those who express concern.

 

[zab]

Why so defensive zab!

Not necessarily in this thread but as a whole. I thread about the poor on more than one occasion and I seem to always get a negative almost hostile response by a few regarding helping the poor.

If it wasn’t said in this thread then what was the purpose of the slight? How are you going to win people over by being rude when they express some concerns? Either try to alleviate some concerns or listen to what they are saying and acknowledge when they have a legitimate concern. Listening goes both ways. No-one likes to be falsely accused. We don’t know how much others give to charity or what they do in secret. Not everyone goes around flaunting what they do to and how much they give. Some people give little but brag a lot. God knows the truth of it.

 

[WilT]

I think most people are generous and would give to someone truly in need. Many like to be responsible with their giving. Not even God gives to each whatever they ask of Him. He knows what they need. There is nothing wrong with being cautious and responsible about one’s giving to the “poor”. That is why they donate to organizations whose mission it is to help those in need. People have good reason to be concerned when panhandlers show up at their church on Sunday morning. So let’s not make rude comments directed towards those who express concern.

I think zab being cautious and responsible is wise for an investor but not for charity. Imagine if the Good Samaritan would had concerned himself more with the law rather than charitably assisting the injured man on the street or if Jesus had said to the Leopards I can’t heal you right now, I have to go give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. If your giving to charity through other means fine but don’t fret on others that prefer to donate hands on with the poor. It’s God’s money anyways. God comes before man. Man “Pandhandlers” comes before financial acquisition and wealth attainment

 

[zab]

I think zab being cautious and responsible is wise for an investor but not for charity. Imagine if the Good Samaritan would had concerned himself more with the law rather than charitably assisting the injured man on the street or if Jesus had said to the Leopards I can’t heal you right now, I have to go give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. If your giving to charity through other means fine but don’t fret on others that prefer to donate hands on with the poor. It’s God’s money anyways. God comes before man. Man “Pandhandlers” comes before financial acquisition and wealth attainment

I disagree with you about being cautious and responsible. Not all well-to-do people are stingy with their money and not all “panhandlers” are honest or as needy as we might like to think. And not all beggars are dishonest thieves. On a lighter note, here is an example that you might enjoy. youtube.com/watch?v=vD9RI2Bm69U

 

[mikekle]

Is it possible that the priest is giving them his own money? In that case there would be nothing wrong with that. However, it could set a bad example, in my opinion, and make the parishioners vulnerable to future visits from panhandlers. I would be upset, too, if he was giving gypsy panhandlers money from parishioners tithes. In the past, usually a few times a year, our parish has been visited by panhandlers, too. When our pastor was informed of this, he recommends that the parishioners not give money to them. He noted that we have St. Vincent de Paul (as well as other organizations and food banks in town) that assists people with their needs. And if people want to help he recommends donating money to our local St. Vincent de Paul Society. But of course people are free to do what they want with their money. But they need not feel obligated to give money to these people who often give you a long story such as, “We ran out of gas and my wife locked her purse in the car, so we need money for bus fare to get to her sister’s house on the other side of town…” The next year it is the same story. And the year after it is a similar story and so on. I gave them money at first, even though I suspected that they were not telling the truth about their situation. But when they came around the next year with the same story, I didn’t think it was right to encourage them to keep coming back to prey on church going people so I no longer give money to aggressive panhandlers. Until recently, we haven’t seen them around for a while. But, a couple of weeks ago, there were two panhandlers on church property ready to approach people coming out of church. I heard that our pastor had gotten word from his brother priests that panhandlers were making their rounds again. Father spotted them in the parking lot as soon as he processed out of Mass and went over to them and told them that they could not ask for money on church property and (in the nicest way that he could) said that if he saw them doing it he would call the police. They left immediately. I thought they would go across the street, but they were gone.

Its not the priests own money, my dad is on the board at the church, they use the general fund when people coming asking for money like this, My dad may not like it, but I assume the senior priest has the final say, as he is continuing to do this.

I can understand why some people would rather give them cash, really I would too, as giving to organizations that help the homeless and poor is fine, but some people dont take advantage of these places, or they have problems that prevent them from getting aid from certain places, so giving to them directly is sometimes the best things to do…just cutting out the middle man really.

When it comes down to it, Nor I, or anyone else knows what these people are doing with the money, sure, some are probably going and buying dope, but its also likely, some are using it to eat, buy something to keep warm, etc. I would feel a whole lot better just giving cash too, the more I think about it, who am I to judge them or even question what they are going to use it for…they asked, so they need it, that is all that is needed to be known, what they use it for, is their prerogative.

 

[WilT]

I can understand why some people would rather give them cash, really I would too, as giving to organizations that help the homeless and poor is fine, but some people dont take advantage of these places, or they have problems that prevent them from getting aid from certain places, so giving to them directly is sometimes the best things to do…just cutting out the middle man really.

When it comes down to it, Nor I, or anyone else knows what these people are doing with the money, sure, some are probably going and buying dope, but its also likely, some are using it to eat, buy something to keep warm, etc. I would feel a whole lot better just giving cash too, the more I think about it, who am I to judge them or even question what they are going to use it for…they asked, so they need it, that is all that is needed to be known, what they use it for, is their prerogative.

 

[zab]

Its not the priests own money, my dad is on the board at the church, they use the general fund when people coming asking for money like this, My dad may not like it, but I assume the senior priest has the final say, as he is continuing to do this.

I can understand why some people would rather give them cash, really I would too, as giving to organizations that help the homeless and poor is fine, but some people dont take advantage of these places, or they have problems that prevent them from getting aid from certain places, so giving to them directly is sometimes the best things to do…just cutting out the middle man really.

When it comes down to it, Nor I, or anyone else knows what these people are doing with the money, sure, some are probably going and buying dope, but its also likely, some are using it to eat, buy something to keep warm, etc. I would feel a whole lot better just giving cash too, the more I think about it, who am I to judge them or even question what they are going to use it for**…they asked, so they need it, that is all that is needed to be known, what they use it for, is their prerogative**.

A lot of parishioners sacrifice to send their children to Catholic school. They live from pay check to pay check trying to make ends meet, paying their bills and paying their tithe to the church. And not only young parents, but older parishioners live pay check to pay check as well, but they still pay their tithes. I think that your dad has good reason to think that the pastor should be responsible with the parish’s money. Word could get out that your parish is giving away free money for the asking, no questions asked. It is possible that your parish may have a fund that is supplied by individual parishioners for this particular purpose so the money does not come out of the parish budget. Still, sometimes we have to learn the hard way when we try to do something nice.

 

[mikekle]

A lot of parishioners sacrifice to send their children to Catholic school. They live from pay check to pay check trying to make ends meet, paying their bills and paying their tithe to the church. And not only young parents, but older parishioners live pay check to pay check as well, but they still pay their tithes. I think that your dad has good reason to think that the pastor should be responsible with the parish’s money. Word could get out that your parish is giving away free money for the asking, no questions asked. It is possible that your parish may have a fund that is supplied by individual parishioners for this particular purpose so the money does not come out of the parish budget. Still, sometimes we have to learn the hard way when we try to do something nice.

Well, the word has already gotten out. now they cant really stop, at least the priest thinks this way, I know it frustrates my dad, but he just blows it off and tries not to think about it, Im fairly sure other large churches are doing the same thing too, (handing out cash no questions asked), so it may be a bigger problem that just our head priest deciding on something at OUR church. Im not sure when all this started, but dont think its been going on too long.

 

[WilT]

Well, the word has already gotten out. now they cant really stop, at least the priest thinks this way, I know it frustrates my dad, but he just blows it off and tries not to think about it, Im fairly sure other large churches are doing the same thing too, (handing out cash no questions asked), so it may be a bigger problem that just our head priest deciding on something at OUR church. Im not sure when all this started, but dont think its been going on too long.

Would you rather it goes into attorney fees $$$$$$$$$$$in the millions or to local poor by the $dollar? …I’d go with giving it to the poor by the dollar$

 

[zab]

Would you rather it goes into attorney fees $$$$$$$$$$$in the millions or to local poor by the $dollar? …I’d go with giving it to the poor by the dollar$

That is down right mean spirited and not in the least bit funny.

 

[WilT]

uch:Mean spirited! How?