Do you give beggars money?

[Anonymous]

I've always wondered why people give money to beggars. I see the same people on corners in DC and Maryland year after year with their signs asking for help. On occasion, I've seen some of the beggars who appeared to be handicap, get up out of their wheel chair, walk across the street and get in their car. I see drivers hand money to beggars and I wonder: how do you know this person actually needs this money vs. this is what they do for a living? How do you rationalize it knowing that a lot of people do this as their job, not because they truly need help? Maybe I'm too jaded but I see these people and think: get a real job. Asking for freebies is not a job. But then I know some people really do need the help. How do you tell the difference? I mean, I understand helping a person who is truly homeless, whether living on the streets or in shelters (and I've helped those people), but the people who are begging for a living...do you give them money? Why/Why not?

[Anonymous]

Never. Once or twice I've bought a sandwich or drink or something and handed it to someone, but never, ever give money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why people give money to beggars. I see the same people on corners in DC and Maryland year after year with their signs asking for help. On occasion, I've seen some of the beggars who appeared to be handicap, get up out of their wheel chair, walk across the street and get in their car. I see drivers hand money to beggars and I wonder: how do you know this person actually needs this money vs. this is what they do for a living? How do you rationalize it knowing that a lot of people do this as their job, not because they truly need help? Maybe I'm too jaded but I see these people and think: get a real job. Asking for freebies is not a job. But then I know some people really do need the help. How do you tell the difference? I mean, I understand helping a person who is truly homeless, whether living on the streets or in shelters (and I've helped those people), but the people who are begging for a living...do you give them money? Why/Why not?

You are too jaded. Don't give if you don't feel they need your help, give if you do. But either way, don't be judgemental.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine anything more boring than standing on a median with a sign all day.

[Anonymous]

Never give them money! Ever.

I contribute a lot to recognized charities; as a family we participate in food drives to help local families and the yearly End Hunger Now campaign.

But if you give cash to beggars, it goes right into the pocket of armed drug dealers, alcohol sellers, and the tobacco company RJ Renolds - are those groups you want to support?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine anything more boring than standing on a median with a sign all day.

#whitepeople

Can you imagine being hungry and having no warm place to sleep?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why people give money to beggars. I see the same people on corners in DC and Maryland year after year with their signs asking for help. On occasion, I've seen some of the beggars who appeared to be handicap, get up out of their wheel chair, walk across the street and get in their car. I see drivers hand money to beggars and I wonder: how do you know this person actually needs this money vs. this is what they do for a living? How do you rationalize it knowing that a lot of people do this as their job, not because they truly need help? Maybe I'm too jaded but I see these people and think: get a real job. Asking for freebies is not a job. But then I know some people really do need the help. How do you tell the difference? I mean, I understand helping a person who is truly homeless, whether living on the streets or in shelters (and I've helped those people), but the people who are begging for a living...do you give them money? Why/Why not?

You are too jaded. Don't give if you don't feel they need your help, give if you do. But either way, don't be judgemental.

I'm trying not to judge. I'm trying to understand. I don't feel like they need help so I don't give them money. But for those that do give money, I'm interested in why.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Not ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never give them money! Ever.

I contribute a lot to recognized charities; as a family we participate in food drives to help local families and the yearly End Hunger Now campaign.

But if you give cash to beggars, it goes right into the pocket of armed drug dealers, alcohol sellers, and the tobacco company RJ Renolds - are those groups you want to support?

profile much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine anything more boring than standing on a median with a sign all day.

#whitepeople

Can you imagine being hungry and having no warm place to sleep?

Lord. Check your outrage gauge before posting. I can't imagine anything more boring than standing on a median with a sign all day, so they must really need the money.

[Anonymous]

The ones who obviously do it for a living, no.
In general, also no, except I'll give to some women and also men if they're missing limbs.
I know it doesn't actually help though, and giving money to beggars it's more for yourself than actually helping.

[Anonymous]

I don't give out money on the street, but I do volunteer my time at a local soup kitchen and my husband and I donate regularly to food banks and other local charities. Just a personal choice, but I like to know the money is being well spent in a structured way that's targeted to getting people out of poverty.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I have bought a sandwich and water a couple times when asked by the grocery store.
I contribute to local hunger and housing charities and services.

[Anonymous]

No. I buy Street Sense from the people selling that. Today I bought two copies since I passed two men selling it while I was walking to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why people give money to beggars. I see the same people on corners in DC and Maryland year after year with their signs asking for help. On occasion, I've seen some of the beggars who appeared to be handicap, get up out of their wheel chair, walk across the street and get in their car. I see drivers hand money to beggars and I wonder: how do you know this person actually needs this money vs. this is what they do for a living? How do you rationalize it knowing that a lot of people do this as their job, not because they truly need help? Maybe I'm too jaded but I see these people and think: get a real job. Asking for freebies is not a job. But then I know some people really do need the help. How do you tell the difference? I mean, I understand helping a person who is truly homeless, whether living on the streets or in shelters (and I've helped those people), but the people who are begging for a living...do you give them money? Why/Why not?

You are too jaded. Don't give if you don't feel they need your help, give if you do. But either way, don't be judgemental.

I'm trying not to judge. I'm trying to understand. I don't feel like they need help so I don't give them money. But for those that do give money, I'm interested in why.

Simple reason - because they asked for your help. I don't know what circumstances led them to where they are today. But I am old enough to know we all make bad decisions in our lives.