What to do when faced with a sign-holding homeless!?

[Monte_RCMS]

Once last winter when it was minus 10-15 C outside, a group of volunteers of a charity organization were asking for money for poor people at a light (which annoys me personally) I remarked to the person sitting next to me that it sometimes appears as though volunteers are more motivated to get help for the poor than the poor are to help themselves. I’m all for charity, but I recall Paul’s harsh words along the lines that if someone won’t work he won’t eat. Where do we draw the line between a freeloader exploiting people’s goodness and legitimate charity?

It has been pretty well documented by Dr. Roukema in Newark, NJ and others that a large percentage of the homeless are severely mentally ill … and the courts do not allow them to be hospitalized against their will. In some cities, when the weather gets too cold, they are forceable taken to shelters, but the homeless fear for their safety in shelters where predators steal their stuff.

Another large percentage of the homeless are on drugs. Unable to do much except panhandle.

And some others simply choose to panhandle and many are not homeless at all.

There was the case in NYC of a man named “Larry” … can’t recall his last name … who used to physically attack passersby. Claimed to be homeless. Actually, he had an apartment and a government pension from his work as a merchant seaman, if I recall correctly. His family said he was impossible to deal with and just “unplugged” from him.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Knight’s of Columbus would have no way of knowing if these are legitimate homeless people or not. I have no idea why anyone would tell you to check with them (or with a Ladies Auxiliary).

Rather than attempting to check them out, simply refer them to agencies that do provide services to the homeless. Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, various missions, etc. all work with the homeless.

You have no way of knowing yourself if the person is mentally ill, a drug abuser, a fugitive or whatever. It is much better to refer them to programs that deal with this population on a regular basis.

If you feel you MUST do something directly, provide them with food and/or a non-alcoholic drink.

In my earlier note, I was NOT saying that the majority of people begging are frauds. I WAS pointing out that in one particular place, they were, according to a reputable newspaper.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Knight’s of Columbus would have no way of knowing if these are legitimate homeless people or not. I have no idea why anyone would tell you to check with them (or with a Ladies Auxiliary).

Rather than attempting to check them out, simply refer them to agencies that do provide services to the homeless. Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, various missions, etc. all work with the homeless.

You have no way of knowing yourself if the person is mentally ill, a drug abuser, a fugitive or whatever. It is much better to refer them to programs that deal with this population on a regular basis.

If you feel you MUST do something directly, provide them with food and/or a non-alcoholic drink.

In my earlier note, I was NOT saying that the majority of people begging are frauds. I WAS pointing out that in one particular place, they were, according to a reputable newspaper.

Where I live the KofC and the women’s auxiliary are extremely active in caring for the hungry and homeless and less fortunate.

In all of the places where I have been the local parish groups work continuously in this area.

If in your parish the groups do not participate actively, then that would be a good place to shake them up.

 

[nicolep]

I live 7mi from downtown Indianapolis.I see people with these type signs.There are lots of places to get help and I’m sure they must know it.I think help should come through channels.I see no need for people to have signs.Mainly they just don/t want to go through the little red tape and want to be free.Do these people appear malnutricioused or wear torn worn out clothes?I’ve yet to see a starving looking person.I just mind my own business.

Small world…I’m about the same distance from downtown Indianapolis.

 

[Chris_Etzel]

There’s a great book called “Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America”. It’s a must-read for anybody that wants to know what to do and how to respond.

It’s the story of two protestant missionaries in college that decide to go live homeless in several major US cities and the struggles, people, churches and charities they run into.

The authors provide valuable insights into homelessness and even some solutions/suggestions for those faced with homeless folks in their areas.

amazon.com/Under-Overpass-Journey-Streets-America/dp/1590524020

 

[KostyaJMJ]

I went for a little stroll last night and passed about 3 hobos along the way and not one of them had a serious sign.

will take verbal abuse for money

need money for beer, but too ugly to prostitute and too honest to steal

ninjas kidnapped family. need money for karate lessons



I usually give them 2 dollars or so.

 

[JimG]

I went for a little stroll last night and passed about 3 hobos along the way and not one of them had a serious sign.

will take verbal abuse for money

need money for beer, but too ugly to prostitute and too honest to steal

ninjas kidnapped family. need money for karate lessons



I usually give them 2 dollars or so.

Actually John Stossel when dressed as a homless person, at one point held a sign that read “I won’t lie to you. I need money for beer.” and he still got money. It seemed that he got money no matter what the sign said.

 

[Rascalking]

Actually John Stossel when dressed as a homless person, at one point held a sign that read “I won’t lie to you. I need money for beer.” and he still got money. It seemed that he got money no matter what the sign said.

I saw that episode as well. It was sickening.

I know several people firsthand who said they needed the money for food/children/whatever and used it for drugs.

 

[CR716]

I have also found myself questioning the right thing to do in these situations. I’ve visited Chicago and the homeless lined the streets. One I will never forget was an older gentleman in an electric W/C who was handicapped and didn’t look like he could care for himself. My heart went out to him , I didnt give$, to many people around that looked like they would just steal it from him. One I remember on a trip to Las Vegas, and one I would actually consider giving to had a sign that said “support alcohol research” I could respect his honesty! Usually I give locally to our food bank or through Catholic Relief Services" in hopes that my $ for food is actually getting into some bellies!

 

[JamestheOlder]

One poster reminded me of another book, a story of a Vietnam vet who moved to Atlanta and lived with his family in a poor area. He opened a ministry of help to the poor. You will want to read the chapter on the Truly Worthy Poor…it will get under your skin.

Click on:
amazon.com/Theirs-Kingdom-Celebrating-Gospel-America/dp/0060653078

 

[tafan]

Aren’t we all so smart, so perceptive. We can see a person on the street, begging for money, and can immediately read their hearts. We know they only want our money for drugs or booze, our Catholic faith gives us this wonderful insight into people’s hearts. We give our few bucks a month into our parish’s St Vincent de Paul collection and we have provided all the help we need to those who really need it. Why, every homeless person on the street, who is truly desperate knows what St Vincent de Paul is all about. Anyone who really needed money would never stoop to begging on the street.

St Vincent de Paul himself would be proud of us.

 

[Edward_H]

Aren’t we all so smart, so perceptive. We can see a person on the street, begging for money, and can immediately read their hearts. We know they only want our money for drugs or booze, our Catholic faith gives us this wonderful insight into people’s hearts. We give our few bucks a month into our parish’s St Vincent de Paul collection and we have provided all the help we need to those who really need it. Why, every homeless person on the street, who is truly desperate knows what St Vincent de Paul is all about. Anyone who really needed money would never stoop to begging on the street.

St Vincent de Paul himself would be proud of us.

Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Dives in Misericordia, “Rich in Mercy” reveals an interesting aspect of giving and mercy.

The giver, with proper intention, actually receives mercy themselves in their giving. There can be a sort of asymmetrical approach to mercy…in which the giver is actually increasing their distance from the receiver. This is not the way to give. When we give, there should be a shrinking in the distance between the giver and the receiver.

We receive mercy when we give.

Who was this Pope to reveal such truth to us…the veil was so thin; he was so sensitive to Truth.

 

[wcknight]

I’m a Knight and I have no idea who is legit or a fraud. I make it a policy to mainly give to organizations that deal with the hungry and homeless. There are a few pet organizations who specialize in caring for the homeless and poor. BUT I do occasionally give to a panhandler.

I used to do so more often but even our pastor advised not to. Some were hanging around the front of Church and we were told to point them to the parish office where they could get food vouchers. Once they figured out that parishioners were not giving they disappeared.

It was reported a few years back that the average panhandler collected 8 to 14 dollars per hour. I think they do much better than that in our area. The story also said folks that really needed the help usually were not seen. They were too paranoid to go out in public.

I have a friend who works at a soup kitchen, and he usually give a food voucher or directions to the soup kitchen, never cash.

 

[dsmantz]

Hebrews 13.1-3

**Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, sin you are also in the body
**
This, my friends, is the exact reason we should not be so quick to judge and condemn. While yes, there are those who do not require financial aid from us, we simply cannot make the assumption. We cannot make that call. There are those who will turn right around and spend the money on drugs and alcohol. I know, I run a Celebrate Recovery, and help them realize how Christ does not want the life they live for them.

Our parish priest said it best, in his lovingly thick Polish accent, “What is it to you? You have simply been called to give. It is between them and God of what is done with the money.”

Are we simply so scared, selfish, or just don’t care enough that we will look for an excuse to refrain from our charity? So faith, hope, charity abide; these three. But the greatest of these is charity. A selfless love. A love that sees the face of Christ in all and gives what is needed, despite what caused the need.

I will continue to give financially, with food, with prayer, and rides if necessary. I pray that others will do the same.

 

[tafan]

dsmantz, yes the bible tells us to be charitable to those in prison. Certainly based on the odds many of those people have big problems, yet we should still love them. I don’t always give to panhandlers, but I will admit to feeling guilty when I don’t.

wcknight:

It was reported a few years back that the average panhandler collected 8 to 14 dollars per hour. I think they do much better than that in our area

Always love to hear these type of quotes. To say I am skeptical is an understatement. And what in the world do you base the idea of “I think they do much better than that in our area” on? Sorry, but it sounds like many of us are just trying to sooth our conscience by disparaging these people. I am certainly doubtful if many of them are saints, some of them very well may be “the least of Jesus’s brothers”. But we were told something about them, directly by Christ, were we not?

On top of that, many of them are mentally ill. I have seen one with mental illness in my immediate family, that can be an unbelievably difficult cross to bear.

“the least of My brothers”… I think we should keep that phrase in mind.

 

[dsmantz]

dsmantz, yes the bible tells us to be charitable to those in prison. Certainly based on the odds many of those people have big problems, yet we should still love them. I don’t always give to panhandlers, but I will admit to feeling guilty when I don’t.
.

If you’ve ever been subject to drug, alcohol, or any addiction really, you know that it’s a prison in and of itself. There is no excuse, and when it comes time to stare Christ in the face, I’d much rather say “I gave him the benefit of the doubt and he did what I sincerely prayed he wouldn’t do.” instead of “Well, I was scared he would go get high at the expense of my generosity… I guess he could’ve been hungry, or just looking for a hotel room for the night.”

I’ll take my chances.

 

[Julian0404]

When you read the lives of the saints you discover that JESUS came to several of them in the form of homeless, hungry, diseased person and they never realized they were dealing with JESUS until after the fact.
St. Francis of Assissi was a professional soldier returning home to heal from a wound and while enroute encounter a leper during winter. He got of his horse, kissed the leper and gave HIM, his cape for the cold, then continued his journey home. That was JESUS.
St. Theresa “of the little child” answered the door of her religious house to encounter a hungry beggar during winter with snow on the gound begging for food. The only remaining food in the kitchen, for everyone, was a single loaf of bread, which she gave to HIM. Later when she returned to see if HE was o.k., there was no sight of HIM, and only a single set of footprints in the snow leading up to the door, with none leading away. She had encountered and served JESUS.
St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta always said, when she looked at the hopeless souls she and her convent served, she always saw CHRIST.

When you are approached, give don’t judge. Give don’t evaluate. Give don’t worry about how the money will be used or how little you have to give. Give, and know that you have either just served JESUS or you have served someone, JESUS sent to you.

 

[wcknight]

dsmantz, yes the bible tells us to be charitable to those in prison. Certainly based on the odds many of those people have big problems, yet we should still love them. I don’t always give to panhandlers, but I will admit to feeling guilty when I don’t.

Always love to hear these type of quotes. To say I am skeptical is an understatement. And what in the world do you base the idea of “I think they do much better than that in our area” on? Sorry, but it sounds like many of us are just trying to sooth our conscience by disparaging these people. I am certainly doubtful if many of them are saints, some of them very well may be “the least of Jesus’s brothers”. But we were told something about them, directly by Christ, were we not?

On top of that, many of them are mentally ill. I have seen one with mental illness in my immediate family, that can be an unbelievably difficult cross to bear.

“the least of My brothers”… I think we should keep that phrase in mind.

I say they do much better in our area because we happen to be in a fairly wealthy area. The thing about folks with mental illness is they are usually too paranoid to go out and beg in public.

I don’t disparage anyone, least of all the poor. BUT studies have shown that the majority of the street panhandlers are more of the greedy and not the needy. I give to soup kitchens and other charitable organizations who deal directly with the real poor and homeless. IF these folks need a meal they know where to find it.

Look at it this way, the more you give to the fake panhandlers, the less you can give to the soup kitchens where they really feed the folks that need it.

 

[jmcrae]

I say they do much better in our area because we happen to be in a fairly wealthy area. The thing about folks with mental illness is they are usually too paranoid to go out and beg in public.

I don’t disparage anyone, least of all the poor. BUT studies have shown that the majority of the street panhandlers are more of the greedy and not the needy. I give to soup kitchens and other charitable organizations who deal directly with the real poor and homeless. IF these folks need a meal they know where to find it.

Look at it this way, the more you give to the fake panhandlers, the less you can give to the soup kitchens where they really feed the folks that need it.

Yes - Jesus wants us to give to the poor - not to people who are already richer than we can ever become, but who are just pretending to be poor, and trading on the suffering of the poor and the sympathy that people have for it, just to make a buck.

They will answer for that in the next life, but in the mean time, in order to reach the people who really need our help, we do need to give to the agencies that know who’s who, and who are the experts in how to help - and who can take that five dollars that would buy one meal for one person at a fast food place, and stretch it to give ten people each a plate of roast beef, vegetables, and potatoes, with juice, and dessert, through bulk buying and discounts from the wholesalers.

 

[exoflare]

I’m willing to give, whatever it is they desire. As our associate priest said in a recent homily “What is it to you what they do with the money you give? You cannot be a babysitter. You must leave that between them and God. But, God is counting on you to make the right decision, and the moment you say no out of worry of assisting them, you deny the very call of Christ himself.”

I’d like some money! Hope you’re still in a giving mood. :yup: