While panhandling is prevalent in some parts of California, I humbly offer that whoever suggested it is limited to California hasn't traveled the country, or the world for that matter, enough.

Charity is a personal decision, and I for one, will not question another man's viewpoint but my family strongly believes that everyone needs help at some point in their life and that it's imperative that the fortunate not turn a blind eye to the unfortunate. However, we also strongly believe in the importance of helping one's self. Absent some disability, charity and/or public assistance shouldn't be anything more than a short-term solution.

Having said all of that, I am sad to say that I have been approached by scammers who ask for money for food or gas who don't accept my offer to fill their tank or walk them into a grocery store, mini mart, or restaurant and buy them a meal. I fear that the low lifes who participate in these scams are hurting those who legitimately need a helping hand.

Be that as it may, I will continue to respond to requests for assistance because I would not be able to look myself in the mirror knowing I assume all people asking for help are bad and/or if I decided it was easier to pretend that people don't actually need help from time to time.

 

Plenty of people asking me for money here in Atlanta - or sometimes it's just dumb questions like 'Hey man, is that car fast?' Either way, I don't want to be bothered - often times the car talk is segway to asking for money - everyone has a story and frankly, I don't care.

I live in a high-rise condo in the city and what bugs me even moreso is everytime I step out onto the sidewalk, I not only face beggers but lately charitable organizaitons like American Red Cross have people canvassing the sidewalks with clipboards trying to get you to pledge money. Nothing against these charities - they do great work, but imagine if every time you stepped out of your house or drove down your driveway, someone was stopping you asking for financial contributions? AHHHH! [Annoyed]

 

Had a friend walking down the street who was approached by a woman and her baby. The woman said she had lost her job and needed some money to help her and the baby. My friend, a woman, gave her $20. As the woman was walking away my friend remembered a store she had passed that had a sign that read "help needed". She ran after the woman, stopped her and told her about the sign. The response from the woman was, "mind your own business".
I don't give money to these people. I do however donate to a number of charities primarily hospitals who don't turn away anyone if they are in need of medical attention.

 

I agree. Good post. I like helping but in a more organized fashion. I don't like doing it as much on the "street". It's hard to tell if it's constructive or going to someone in real need.

My only request for these forums is to keep politics out of the 997 section.

 

Sorry, I didn't think there was anything political in my post. That certainly wasn't my intent.

 

interesting post.

and u sound like a nice guy..

IMHO, providing few dollars to beggars is not helping anyone.

only thing it does is continue to encourage others to beg for money rather than work for it..

i am not saying that people don't need help at certain times.. but the ones on the street asking everyone for a dollar are not the ones who need such help.

99.9 % of them are scammers.

out of gas? walk.
out of gas all the time? sell ur car.
out of money for food? get a job.. any job.
no place to live? find one.

there are plenty of places that offer food and shelter as well as job placement..

u can't do any of those ?? go kill yourself.
(flame suit on )

i mean how do u even get to live on the streets asking everyone for money ?? i don't think it happens overnight.. does it? don't u have to 1st run out of family and friends who trust u and believe in u ??

i have no problem offering help to anyone who really needs it.. but i will never give a dime to anyone who asks me for it on the streets.

and i can still look at myself in the mirror without an ounce of guilt.

DaHapa, next time someone asks u for money on the street, offer them a job.. or offer them the comfort of your home.. or feed them the food from your table..
but keep in mind that giving them $ is not really helping them.. even if u feel better about yourself.

if u really wanna help, volunteer ur time to aid the needy on regular basis.. or open ur wallet to a charity of your choice.

my 2 cents.

 

Sorry, to be clear, my comment wasn't aimed at you. I liked your post.

Some people take the opportunity to take a thread like this and insert their political beliefs into the conversation. And then it just goes downhill from their. That's all. From there it degenerates into personal attacks. I think we can all agree, hopefully, that we are here to talks cars.

 

sorry...must have been me. some people confuse bleeding hearts with liberals. I may be one of them. again, sorry.