Anonymous wrote:At my DD school they asked for clothes to donate to families in need. When I was bringing used jackets in excellent shape, a lady collecting stuff said they were only accepting NEW clothes. Isn't it ridiculous?

These people collecting clothes sometimes are a scam. They use"families in need" to get new clothes and sell them.

At my DD school they asked for clothes to donate to families in need. When I was bringing used jackets in excellent shape, a lady collecting stuff said they were only accepting NEW clothes. Isn't it ridiculous?

I give apples to the beggars in US so that they eat healthy. I do not want to give them money because some of them spend it on drugs.

Most of the beggars here have adequate clothes, a cell phone and a ride - so I do not worry about their safety, transportation or their clothing needs.

I take my 13 year-old son to get Remicade infusions every 6-8 weeks at a hospital in Baltimore. There's always a panhandler on the median where we turn to get onto I-83 and we usually give him (or her) whatever snacks and water we've taken with us to the infusion. My dad meets us at the infusions for company and support. One day, he was in front of us waiting to turn onto I-83, and I said to my son that I bet his Pop-Pop would give the panhandler something and sure enough, my dad was passing the guy water, snacks, and a little cash. As silly as it sounds, it was a powerful and emotional moment because we just knew my dad's heart. I'll never regret being kind (even if the kindnesses are small ones) and teaching my children to do the same.

I'll give a cigarette if someone on the street asks, although they usually offer to buy one off of me.

I'll buy a cup of coffee if it's cold and I'm headed into Starbucks. Or, a sandwich if the person says they're hungry.

I try to fill the need. But, my got-to is I don't have cash. I live off my credit card. Sometimes I just throw up my hands and say, "Sorry man, I got kids." and they nod in understanding.

As for the addiction issue, hunger is hunger and just because you might have other issues going on doesn't mean you don't need to eat.

The only people I ever refer to as "beggars" are the moms I seem to attract who always ask for a favor and are never available when I need assistance. Oh, and 19th-century book characters. Sometimes while reading a book I'll fall into thinking of a character as a beggar because that's how they are continually described by the author. Otherwise, I think of human beings and human beings, even when they spend their days asking others for money.

"Don't be an asshole" is kind of a personal motto of mine. Try it.

I always give.

Anonymous wrote:In 11 years of living in San Francisco, I have never given money. I have given leftover food from a restaurant. And once I bought a guy a sandwich at Trader Joe's.

Pro tip for travelers to SF: In Union Square, there is a guy who hangs around outside Macy's around dinnertime, and if he sees you walk out with a bag from Cheesecake Factory, he will ask for it. If you say no, he'll move on, but if you hesitate he gets super aggressive and scares people into giving him their food.

Why would you go to SF and then eat at Cheesecake Factory?

I buy street sense and occasionally buy a drink or give cash, but never to people in median strips (whether its firefighters or homeless people).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how the responses break down by who you are going to vote for? Do more Trump supporters give to homeless or do more Hillary supporters give to homeless?

Hillary voter.

Rarely give money on the street and want to reduce it to zero.
I do donate my time and also money to more organized, effective homelessness reduction efforts.

Organized homelessness reduction groups are effective.

Handing cash to beggars only harms them.

Clinton supporter ( really more of a Bernie fan though) I give, not all the time, but about 75% I see someone. If I happen to be coming home from grocery shopping ill give them stuff I have in my bag. Ie: protein bars, a fruit, or a drink.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how the responses break down by who you are going to vote for? Do more Trump supporters give to homeless or do more Hillary supporters give to homeless?

Hillary voter.

Rarely give money on the street and want to reduce it to zero.
I do donate my time and also money to more organized, effective homelessness reduction efforts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep dollars in my glove compartment specifically for beggars on the median. Honestly, a dollar doesn't mean a whole lot to me, and if they want to spend the money on booze or whatever, I don't judge. I am somewhat selective though, and prefer to give to women and older folks.

I cannot understand this thinking. You are okay with contributing to their alcohol or drug addiction that has them stuck in this hole?

Well, it's usually not the alcohol or drug addiction that "has them stuck in this hole." More often than not, it's mental illness and a family who can't (or won't) care for them, and a medical system that can't take them in. Once you don't have an address, it's very difficult to get a job, not to mention medical care. That's the spiral; that's the hole. And if alcohol/drugs help them cope with their life, that's what it takes for them.

My MIL (who passed away yesterday) had bipolar disorder and used alcohol as medication. Fortunately, she also had family who cared deeply about her, and insurance through my FIL's job. I'm incredibly glad that she had both of these things.

My dad (now retired) dedicated his life to decreasing the stigma of mental illness, and getting equal care for people who lived with mental illness. He worked at a state mental health facility and is still passionate about care, and angry about the amount of care the state gives to patients. He gives to people on the street readily and without judgement, both monetarily and with food and/or care bags.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Majority of homeless organizations and anti-homelessness experts say not to give- it harms, not helps. Giving a dollar or five feeds your ego, but fuels the true problem.

Then they say "give it to us instead"...

True. That's why you research the organizations. Or volunteer your time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A healthy looking white lady asked me to buy her groceries outside of Harris Teeter in Navy Yard this week. I think she had something legitimate going on with her mental health, so I was willing to buy her something. But then she added "vegetarian, please, and can I come in the store with you?" I said "no, nuh-uh" and walked off.

Never take them into the store with you. There is a tendency for them to really stock up. Instead ask if there is something they want from the store.

This happened to a well-meaning friend living & working here in the USA from Germany; a woman approached him in the supermarket parking lot and he accompanied her into the store.

Then she really started stocking up, arguing with him over quantity, tried to guilt trip him, etc.

He finally got so fed up with her that he walked out and left her there without buying a thing.

What's troubling is the realization that this wasn't the woman's first time doing that type of scam; she'd obviously pulled that hustle before.

I wonder how the responses break down by who you are going to vote for? Do more Trump supporters give to homeless or do more Hillary supporters give to homeless?