Do you give money to people holding signs on street corners?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

sometimes if it's a veteran.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. The argument that "it just goes to booze or drugs" doesn't fly with me. I feel a responsibility to respond in kindness when I see another human hurting. If I have cash, I'll give a few dollars. It's none of my business what that person chooses to do with my gift.

If you've seen addiction up close, you wouldn't want someone giving your loved one money to get high with from those funds.

No. I wouldn't. But it's not my place to judge. If another human being tells me he is hungry, I am going to help if I can. I'm not going to assume he us buying drugs or alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, because that money will go to booze or drugs. I give my money to So Others Might Eat, a DC charity that will feed and cloth the homeless, and give them medical care and job training.

They could use your help. Spare change?

http://www.some.org/

+1

[Anonymous]

I give when I can.

[Anonymous]

I was told the best rule is to "Act not react".

A thoughtful donation to charities who take care of the homeless is "act"; indulging and relieving your guilt and giving 2-3 $, is an example of react.

Another suggestion I was given was to keep clean new socks in the car, and give away those. Homeless people always need clean socks.

[Anonymous]

I rarely carry cash so no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. The argument that "it just goes to booze or drugs" doesn't fly with me. I feel a responsibility to respond in kindness when I see another human hurting. If I have cash, I'll give a few dollars. It's none of my business what that person chooses to do with my gift.

I feel the same way. If I can afford to give to someone in need and I don't then shame on me. If the person is lying then shame on them.
It is not up to me to determine what their need is, food, drug or drink if I choose to give. In fact if I were living on the streets I may need a bottle to get through the day too.
I also donate to Miram's Kitchen and used to volunteer there before DS (can't really do a 6:00am volunteer chef and get the kiddo off to school all before work). My DS and I have made friends with many of the homeless folks near my office and preschool. When you stop to listen you hear some really interesting stories about people's lives. Not every homeless person is a drug addict, alcholic or con artist.

I also give to those without signs.

[Anonymous]

No. Occasionally I give food.

[Anonymous]

I gave a McD gift card once, he complained of having too many meals there. *sigh*

[Anonymous]

Yes. Sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Always, if at all possible. I ffel like I lose a little piece of my humanity if I don't.

[Anonymous]

There is a spot where families often panhandle. It's between a grocery store and a cheap motel.
I've come out of the store once or twice and reorganized a bag or two of groceries and given them food for the little ones.

[Anonymous]

I put $2 in my pocket every day to give away to a stranger. Some days it never leaves my pocket, other days I find my self rooting around my purse for more. What the person I give it to does with it is none of my business -- if they want to get drunk or high, well, that's not my choice to make.

I like knowing that my money might make a real person's day a little better. I also want my child to see generosity and compassion in practice and to have a better understanding of humanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I put $2 in my pocket every day to give away to a stranger. Some days it never leaves my pocket, other days I find my self rooting around my purse for more. What the person I give it to does with it is none of my business -- if they want to get drunk or high, well, that's not my choice to make.

I like knowing that my money might make a real person's day a little better. I also want my child to see generosity and compassion in practice and to have a better understanding of humanity.

Exactly. If DS is with me I have him hand over the money. If it were up to him we'd have to carry around 100 singles a day.