Do you give money to homeless people?

[NY Disney fan]

To those who give money to homeless people you see outside, do you talk to them or do you just give them money and walk away? I've aways wanted to say something but am too scared. Anyone else?

[Darcy03231]

I don't give money to people on the street. I do give to those organizations in my community that help the homeless including the Soup Kitchen & Shelter, battered women's shelter, and a local mission. I think they're in a much better position that I am to make sure the funds are used for food/shelter.

[pyrxtc]

No money but I have given them food and gift cards for food. I have talked to them briefly to let them know that I care and hoe they have a good day today. I have also talked to them before I bought the food to ask what they would like to eat before I went into the restaraunt.

[paintnolish]

No, I don't. I do give to charities and have donated time, but I don't hand it out on the street.

[eliza61]

I do and if they are outside the wawa (local stop and shop) I will get a food card. I will say hello and have a nice day but usually not a long conversation. I've never felt unsafe or uncomfortable at all.

[JessicaR]

I don't give to everyone I see but sometimes a situation just strikes me differently. I don't give and then worry I was scammed. Maybe I was, maybe not, either way when I give it makes me happy. I do it often. I do try and talk to them but that isn't always possible.

[SydneyFalco]

I give on very rare occasions when I know there's a loonie or twonie in my pocket (for my US friends who might not know that's slang for one dollar or two dollar Canadian coins). BUT I've noticed I only tend to give when I've got my iPod on and wont have to interact. (Pretty bad, I know.)

I also donate to the local bank through work.

[robinb]

Nope. I have taken people into the local sandwich shop or burger joint for a meal though.

[KAMKIM]

We do give to our local childrens hospital and catholic charitites on a regular basis which does benefit programs for the homeless but I gave money directly to a "homeless" person one time and this is what happened....

I was walking into work a woman approached me, in tears, she pointed to 2 small children across the street and said her and her kids had no place to stay that night and was $5 away from being able to afford a hotel room...my heart broke for her...I gave her $10 (all I had)...she walked the other way down the street....THOSE KIDS WEREN'T EVEN HERS!

[HM]

No, not directly. I did give a woman a sandwich once.

[wdwfan16]

Originally Posted by Darcy03231

I don't give money to people on the street. I do give to those organizations in my community that help the homeless including the Soup Kitchen & Shelter, battered women's shelter, and a local mission. I think they're in a much better position that I am to make sure the funds are used for food/shelter.

I do the same.

I will offer to buy them whatever fast food is in the area and I have always been turned down on this offer.

[KAMKIM]

Originally Posted by wdwfan16

I do the same.

I will offer to buy them whatever fast food is in the area and I have always been turned down on this offer.

After my experience I am guessing some of them are not using the money for food....

[pixiewings71]

I gave some food to a guy once, he and his dog sit on a corner every day rain or shine, well, he took the food but he looked at me like I was crazy when I gave it to him. I'm sure he fed it to his dog, which is fine.
DBF was approached by someone once asking for money, DBF said to the guy "I bet you're better paid than I am" the guy actually said "you're probably right, I can help you get started if you want to sit on a street corner and work your own hours." DBF was not impressed. Needless to say that guy got no money!

As for me giving it, sometimes I do, depends on the situation, but it's never very much, just a handful of change usually, I don't carry much cash around with me.

[wdwfan16]

Originally Posted by KAMKIM

After my experience I am guessing some of them are not using the money for food....

That is my experience too.

There was this homeless man who was always at the local KMart. I saw him when I went in that day. When I came out he was gone. I got in my car and drove to the Convenience Store and he was just leaving. I asked the cashier if that was the same man I saw at the KMart. He said yes. The cashier then told me he bought $100 in lottery tickets and that he does this 5 days a week.

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Originally Posted by paintnolish

No, I don't. I do give to charities and have donated time, but I don't hand it out on the street.

Yep, me too.

I work in NYC and am approached countless times either directly or with a hand out. I've been commuting for over 20 years and if I hear one more person say "I'm a good person and down on my luck...." fill in the rest.
I usually cut them off and tell them no. I know that sounds harsh but I was reading my book waiting for a train this morning in Newark and got approached - it was 6:15 a.m. and already being hit up for cash. Sounds cold and heartless but I will give to soup kitchens and shelters. I will donate goods and services. I can't hand out cash to everyone I see on the street asking for it. And if you think it doesn't break my heart to see it every day, think again. There are days when I get to the office and just want to cry. This morning there were 3 people sleeping on the subway grate and it wasn't even that cold. In another month that number will be much higher. It's sad but I can't give to everyone.