What to do with beggar at my door
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Anonymous
| I came home around 7pm after brining my pets back from the dog park. As I got out of my car and collected my dogs a woman approached me. I thought she was a neighbor I rarely see so I didn’t hurry inside. Turns out she wasn’t my neighbor but claimed she missed the food pantry pick up, was on foot and needed work. She offered to clean my windows. I told her no thanks and it’s 7pm. She started crying that nobody would help her. She made a claim that she had 4 grandkids at home (no clue if true) and she couldn’t feed them tonight. I gave her boxes of pasta, unopened milk, cereal and tomato sauce and told her to call 311 for help. I figured if she isn’t really desperate she wouldn’t have taken the food. I’m not sure what you do in these situations and told her this is a one time deal. What would you have done? |
Anonymous
| You did the right thing. It is hard to vet these situations. |
Anonymous
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I likely would have done exactly what you did OP.
It was very generous of you to offer her free groceries. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
I tell them "No, sorry." |
Anonymous
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She really needed money, not food. Food is basically free. She could even go into the store and eat as she walks around.
You should’ve given her some cash. |
Anonymous
I don’t give cash and it’s dangerous to do so. Someone may rob you next or keep coming back. |
Anonymous
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I like to think that I would have done the same as you, OP.
Maybe it was a scam but maybe not. You were kind just in case she was truthful. I don’t think I would have given her money. |
Anonymous
You’re scared of being robbed by a sobbing grandmother? You MUST be a maga. |
Anonymous
No I’m practical. I’ve seen too many home invasion videos that start with a woman knocking on the door for help and a man or men bum rush in from behind to rob the house. |
Anonymous
| I think you did the right thing. |
Anonymous
|
I think it was nice of you and the right thing to do. I'm sure the food will get eaten.
I once got asked for 5 dollars from a dodgy young guy who had an elementary school kid with him. He said he needed gas money so he could connect with his sister. He was telling me he could pay it back. And I just gave it to him on the off chance they really needed it. Never let people into your house. It's not safe. Maybe you did but I would recommend firmly against that. I have read some bad news about people who go door to door offering to do odd jobs. |
Anonymous
Agreed. |
Anonymous
| I'd rather give food than $$. You did the right thing. |
Anonymous
90% of the time, cash ends up in the pocket of drug dealers or in the cash register at the liquor store. As PP pointed out, food in the DMV is basically free. If she actually has grandkids (doubtful) they eat for free on the generous WIC program |