Would you give a beggar a gift card?

[Anonymous]

Let’s say you have an extra one. Would you?

[Anonymous]

Like an Amazon card?

Most of them don't have an address. So, no. The most I hand to anyone is a bottle of water in the summer. And honestly, being a female with small children, i find most of them intimidating and unpredictable. There are programs if they want to get on their feet. I will donate to those. They have to want to help themselves for me to take any interest

[Anonymous]

I dont' give people who beg anything other than leftovers if I have them.

[Anonymous]

Every now and then I think, why not just buy a $20 gift card for Giant when I'm walking past them on my way in, but then think, I know I would hear here and from others that it doesn't help, so I walk out sheepishly past them, wishin I could help, but then never do.

[Anonymous]

It will go straight into the trash, almost certainly.

Especially if they're the Roma/"gypsy" beggars who use kids (often not their own) as sympathy props. I 100% guarantee it'll go in the trash - they just want cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will go straight into the trash, almost certainly.

Especially if they're the Roma/"gypsy" beggars who use kids (often not their own) as sympathy props. I 100% guarantee it'll go in the trash - they just want cash.

Fair point.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There was a man outside sandwich and McDonald’s near Neiman Marcus, I would buy a meal combo or give a $5 gift card. I didn’t mind doing this more than once.

Do it.

[Anonymous]

Sure — as long as it was to a store that could be accessed without needing the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure — as long as it was to a store that could be accessed without needing the internet.

Yeah, it’s usable anywhere.

Appreciate the input all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will go straight into the trash, almost certainly.

Especially if they're the Roma/"gypsy" beggars who use kids (often not their own) as sympathy props. I 100% guarantee it'll go in the trash - they just want cash.

No they don't. They can sell the cards to others for cash or trade.

[Anonymous]

DH gave one a case of waters as we were leaving from Costco. That was 5 years ago. The guy is still a beggar but he tells people to bring him water and he sells waters and begs at the same time nowadays.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

No I don’t give beggars anything. They are a cancer on society.

[Anonymous]

The supermarkets often have food drives where you can donate money towards helping the hungry. Save your money for those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will go straight into the trash, almost certainly.

Especially if they're the Roma/"gypsy" beggars who use kids (often not their own) as sympathy props. I 100% guarantee it'll go in the trash - they just want cash.

Roma? In the DMV?

OP, as to the original question - I have done this at the grocery store.