'Cheeseburger panhandler' had $252

[DaParkers]

All I can say after reading this thread is "Wow!" So many people know someone who knows someone who makes a ton of money panhandling -- even going out during the day and dirtying a face to sit on a corner and collect money. I cry foul!! Yeah, there really aren't people around who are hard on their luck. They make more than you do! Maybe for a few out of the thousands and thousands of panhandlers this is true, but don't fool yourselves people!

When I read that, I went

 

[Wall-E1]

All I can say after reading this thread is "Wow!" So many people know someone who knows someone who makes a ton of money panhandling -- even going out during the day and dirtying a face to sit on a corner and collect money. I cry foul!! Yeah, there really aren't people around who are hard on their luck. They make more than you do! Maybe for a few out of the thousands and thousands of panhandlers this is true, but don't fool yourselves people!

No, it's all true. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with this girl that these panhandlers are actually wealthy entrepreneurs. It's actually a secret franchise that these lucky people have brought into. I myself am on a waiting list to get in on this. I'm just waiting on a street corner to be secured for me and my "Why lie, I need a beer" sign to arrive. Then it will be easy street for me.

 

[arminnie]

I never ever give out cash on the street. My employer matched every dollar that I gave to a charity two to one. So it was way more effective for a food bank to receive $3 instead of $1 from just me.

 

[klj27]

I never ever give out cash on the street. My employer matched every dollar that I gave to a charity two to one. So it was way more effective for a food bank to receive $3 instead of $1 from just me.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Ugh. We have an older gentleman who hangs around the San Diego area holding up a sign that says "So broke it hurts". I saw him getting out of his newer car with his sign and finishing his breakfast, then proceeding to talk on his cell phone. Kind of frustrating.

My DH is a security guard and he often deals with homeless people. Most of which really shouldn't be homeless, but they spend all their $ on booze and gambling. Most of them aren't even "down on their luck", though a few are. A lot of them just screwed themselves out of a good life.

Gee, where is hour husband a security guard where he is able to adequately judge who is down on their luck and who deserves it?

I've seen too many people fall tonthis economy to play judge and jury.

 

[lady_bug_888]

I usually don't give out money because I don't know where it's going and I have heard of 'professional panhandlers'. However, I do feel bad for people who really need help so I give out food, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, blankets, bus tickets...whatever I happen to have on me and if the person takes it then obviously they needed it. If they decline then they didn't really need it IMHO.

I also donate regularly to our local food bank and soup kitchen (I would volunteer but I work, DH works and we have a baby!). I hope that the small amount I do can help someone.

When I was in college working in fast food (and I barely could pay my rent, let alone food for myself), I would leave my tip money on the outside of the drive thru window for the homeless guy who was always scouring for change there every night (even if it was 30 below!). I sometimes slipped him a bus ticket as well hoping he would go spend some time warming up.

In addition to those small contributions, I am teaching my children the same thing. We sponsor a child as a family and go to fundraisers in our community (and overpay usually). I also talk with people in our community and offer resources if they need something (and if they want resources...I don't want to offend...just help!).

 

[GinnyEmma]

I wouldn't say their lives are great (those who are really in need). I just believe giving them money prolongs their problems and isn't going to solve anything. Maybe they need to turn to the right people for help to help themselves.

And maybe all of those facilities are filled ip for the night, or the charities are out if funds due to the economy. And maybe a full belly and food for their family will make all the difference in the world.

For every shister out there, there are many other people just trying to take care of their basic needs. And, believe it or not, they might have been just like you before their business closed, or they had to deal with a catastrophic illness.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We have a whole "tent city" here in St. Louis. They are calling it "Hopeville". In fact they are extending services to it there are so many people.

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - City of St. Louis officials Friday announced that new rules have been established for homeless encampments along the Mississippi riverfront.
“Services and shelter are available for homeless people,” said Human Services Director Bill Siedhoff.



“Services provided by qualified people are much more effective and much more humane than an encampment — especially for homeless people who might be addicted to drugs or alcohol, or who have mental disorders.”


City leaders have taken the position that it will allow the encampments to stay as long as the people living there don’t bother or hurt themselves or others, and public safety is not jeopardized.


The city’s new rules for the homeless include:

• No drugs or criminal activity
• No drunkenness
• People living in the encampments must cooperate with police, the city health department, and the fire department at all times
• They must keep the area clean and free from hazards

For their part, city officials say they’re making plans to protect safety in homeless communities:

• The fire department is pre-planning so it can respond to a fire or other emergency
• The Human Services Department is going to do a census count to help the fire department plan for an emergency
• The Health Department will regularly inspect the encampment

“We are going to allow the people there to use legal sources of energy to stay warm,” said city fire chief Dennis Jenkerson. “If they use propane or build a fire in a resopnsible way, no one will get hurt. But if they use propane or build an open fire while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, someone could get hurt.”


As in the past, city officials say they’ll reserve the right to dismantle the encampments if residents don’t follow these rules.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/01/21/city-hopeville-residents-can-stay-if-they-follow-rules/

And here is a "homeless forum". Who would have guessed that?

http://www.homelessforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=113

 

[Conservative Hippie]

DH stopped to help a "homeless" person a few weeks ago. This guy wanted my husband to take him to a nearby hotel and get him a room! DH said no, but he offered to get the man dinner. The man declined, and then proceeded to try to sell my husband a certain multi-level marketing superjuice...wow.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

You should never give money to a panhandler. Always give to programs that help the homeless or people in need. Every County has programs for: bus tickets, gas, food, shelter, clothing, blankets, job help, job interviews, health clinic ....... The list goes on and on.

 

[GinnyEmma]

You should never give money to a panhandler. Always give to programs that help the homeless or people in need. Every County has programs for: bus tickets, gas, food, shelter, clothing, blankets, job help, job interviews, health clinic ....... The list goes on and on.

You do know there isn't an endless supply of these services, don't you? On several occasions I've taken people to pick up a bit of food for their family. Amazingly enough, none turned me down, assaulted me, or tried to sell me anything. Thinking everyone appearing to be poor is faking it is right up there with thinking every guy in the mens room is going to attack your son if you send him in to pee. An illusion of the media.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

You do know there isn't an endless supply of these services, don't you? On several occasions I've taken people to pick up a bit of food for their family. Amazingly enough, none turned me down, assaulted me, or tried to sell me anything. Thinking everyone appearing to be poor is faking it is right up there with thinking every guy in the mens room is going to attack your son if you send him in to pee. An illusion of the media.

I am a social worker so I do know that counties don't have an endless supply of money. I also know that when you give money to programs the money will go further and will be used to actually help the person. It will not be used for drugs, alcohol or gambling.

 

[ems_mom]

This thread is very depressing...

 

[IDoDis]

When I read that, I went

Yup!

No, it's all true. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with this girl that these panhandlers are actually wealthy entrepreneurs. It's actually a secret franchise that these lucky people have brought into. I myself am on a waiting list to get in on this. I'm just waiting on a street corner to be secured for me and my "Why lie, I need a beer" sign to arrive. Then it will be easy street for me.

Maybe I'll quit my day job and try it!

You do know there isn't an endless supply of these services, don't you? On several occasions I've taken people to pick up a bit of food for their family. Amazingly enough, none turned me down, assaulted me, or tried to sell me anything. Thinking everyone appearing to be poor is faking it is right up there with thinking every guy in the mens room is going to attack your son if you send him in to pee. An illusion of the media.

You hear it on the media, therefore it's true!!!

 

[Mama_Dis]

I don't usually give money, but have been known to buy food for people that I see. That way, I can take a little comfort knowing it didnt go to food or beer, but even if the guy has an entire apartment with food in it, what's a few $ 's more from me.

The most aggravating story I have regarding this issue is someone who pulled up to my H in a parking lot of a restaurant and gave him some sob story about having to be at his brothers, uncles, girlfriends baby daddy funeral (or something, I just know it was long and very involved. He really wanted to give my H his life story) and he didn't have money for gas. My H NEVER gives stuff to panhandlers. He is strictly a "organized charity" giver (which is fine), but to get this guy on his way, he gave him the only cash he had which was a $5. The guy mumbled around and then said "Well, I was really hoping to get $20.".

Wow.

 

[bumbershoot]

WOW, I'm totally on the other side of this and have been known to hand out $20 or meals if the person looks like a likely addict. I don't know where you all come from that there is no such thing as real homelessness and despondency but in my world, some people really are in need. The last thing that has ever crossed my mind when looking at a beggar is how great their lives really are I just give, say a prayer and hope it's never me or mine.

This is how my husband feels. I didn't feel that way, and caused him to pull back on his charity to individuals, but recently we've both changed a bit. I've realized that they aren't all out to scam you, and he has gotten more picky, in that he won't give to someone who is behaving in such a way that would make someone else feel uncomfortable. DH is a big & strong guy with a background in tae kwon do, and it takes quite a bit to make him feel uncomfortable. But being with me- female, short, strong but not STRONG- has helped him see what behaviours feel "off" to a normal person; he doesn't want to help people who make others nervous.

He also won't give to the same person when he gets the same story from them more than once; especially if he recognizes them but they don't recognize him! And he'll tell them why he's not giving the money, too.


But it's not just money; we were on a quick trip in November, it was VERY cold, and there was a man at an off-ramp whose sign simply asked for food. We had a car full of food, so we gave him some. Including tasty Trader Joes cookies, LOL. As we pulled away, the man tasted one and gave us the thumbs up.

I figure...if that man was a scammer, he was working his butt off, because it was COLD out there just opening our window... I know I certainly wouldn't want to go stand at a cold street corner, embarrassing myself, just so I didn't have to "go to work".

 

[shortbun]

Panhandlers usually make $60,000 or more a year - tax free! I remember reading how one panhandler was followed back to his nice, above average home!

That might have been the case for one panhandler. Around here, most or all of our corner beggars live in the shelters or in boxes in the woods. It's documented and there are people who go where they 'live' to give them warm blankets or beg them to come in when the weather gets really bad. Some of you are pretty naive about what is actually happening around you. Not everyone is out to get you and some of those people who are scamming you are doing it because they are desperate. Get some compassion folks. It could be your brother, your father, your son, your neice or sister.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I am a social worker so I do know that counties don't have an endless supply of money. I also know that when you give money to programs the money will go further and will be used to actually help the person. It will not be used for drugs, alcohol or gambling.

As a social worker, then, you know that people fall through the cracks all of the time.

And last time I looked taking a basket of food to someone was far more efficient than sending it through a govt agency. Lord knows they are efficient and handle our money so well.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

That might have been the case for one panhandler. Around here, most or all of our corner beggars live in the shelters or in boxes in the woods. It's documented and there are people who go where they 'live' to give them warm blankets or beg them to come in when the weather gets really bad. Some of you are pretty naive about what is actually happening around you. Not everyone is out to get you and some of those people who are scamming you are doing it because they are desperate. Get some compassion folks. It could be your brother, your father, your son, your neice or sister.

A few panhandlers can fall through the cracks, but you can get to know a panhandler very easy. I have talked to them and offered many things, but money. A few want help and others just want money. Again, the best way to help someone is to give money to an agency that helps people.

As a social worker, then, you know that people fall through the cracks all of the time.

And last time I looked taking a basket of food to someone was far more efficient than sending it through a govt agency. Lord knows they are efficient and handle our money so well.

Most places have agencies that help people that are not government run. For example, churches give out money for electric, rent, water, bus tickets and many other things. They also give out clothing and food! One church will give people real meat with their food baskets!

 

[GinnyEmma]

Most places have agencies that help people that are not government run. For example, churches give out money for electric, rent, water, bus tickets and many other things. They also give out clothing and food! One church will give people real meat with their food baskets!

Um, so the difference is I can give at my church, which we do, or I can just give to someone.

I find it disheartening that a SW would be so cynical. I bet you are a joy to work with. That is when it is time to retire. LMSW, here.

The tiny number of scammers are not the norm. I would love to see your statistics to prove your statement of "usually." They don't exist, because it is inaccurate at best.