Drug User/Alcoholic versus Homeless with Children

[Rams]

This actually reflects a pretty sad state of affairs within our communities.  
Yes, this is from a big city like NY, Chicago, Miami or any other large city but, is it any different in middle or small town America?    I hope so.   Click on the link and see how folks react to the drug/alcohol user versus the homeless man with a child.   Pretty disgusting in my opinion.

I know who I would be helping.

I also realize that their are pan handlers out there scamming anyone that is gullible.   I don't have an answer for that.    I will also state, that I'm all for a helping hand and not into handouts.   With that, feel free to comment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ilxjo5RlzFc

Pretty Sad in my opinion.

But, there is one uplifting moment.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've got to admit I'm pretty hard hearted when it comes to pan handlers. But that lady was special 
What is wrong with all those people who willingly gave money for drug use ?

[Chrisj CMA]

There may not be as much wrong with those folks as you think.  Judy and I do a lot with the homeless in our area.  We tell people to refrain from giving cash to
what appears to be a homeless panhandler.  Instead, take that money and give it to whatever shelterr or soup kitchen or food closet in the local area that is actively helping and then you know you aren't wasting your time and money.

[3fan4life]

There may not be as much wrong with those folks as you think.  Judy and I do a lot with the homeless in our area.  We tell people to refrain from giving cash to
what appears to be a homeless panhandler.  Instead, take that money and give it to whatever shelterr or soup kitchen or food closet in the local area that is actively helping and then you know you aren't wasting your time and money.

That's very true.

I know the person who runs our local homeless shelter and we have had several conversations about this.

He says that you are actually hurting them (homeless people) by giving them money.

He says that most of them have problems with alcohol and drug addiction and that putting money directly into their hands only allows them to purchase drugs or alcohol. Enabling them to remain "Slaves" to their addictions.

He too has said that the best way to help the homeless in your area is to give money to your local homeless shelter.

He told me that if he sees a homeless person panhandling, who he knows frequents the shelter that he runs, he confronts them and asks them for their sign. If they refuse to give it up they aren't allowed to stay at the shelter that night.

The shelter that he runs is "Faith Based" (as many are) and they have many long term programs to help the homeless. They provide long term housing for battered women and for families.

They also provide drug and alcohol counseling as well as job training and assistance.

I'm sure that many homeless shelters have similar programs and services, and it would help multitudes of others to support the shelter over the individual.


Personally, most of the time I don't feel led to give money directly to a homeless person because I feel that the money will go to support their addictions.

If I do feel led to help, instead of money, I offer to buy them something to eat at a nearby restaurant. I have been cussed out and I have had them walk away when I've done this. None yet have accepted the meal.     

[Rams]

I guess my biggest surprise was that folks actually gave money to the supposed drug user. 

To me it's like, yeah, go ahead and waste your life.    Just didn't make sense to me.    But, that's me.

[Patrick]

People can be strange can't they. I found the ending uplifting.

Key West has a large homeless population and the town does a lot to try and take care of them. They bus them from shelters and they feed them, etc. Millions of dollars in taxes and donations, yet they are still out harassing tourists and panhandling.
I generally ignore the panhandlers especially if I see they acting inappropriately. There was one a number of years ago that got to me, he said he was also a Vietnam vet and JoAnn thought I was crazy for believing and helping him, but, I would give him money.
Normally I will ask if they are hungry and if they say they are I offer to take them into the nearest diner and get them a meal, [ knowing they are fed at the shelter] , to a person they have declined the offer and want the money which I refuse.

One little [ maybe not so short] story about this in Key West. One year there was a blind fella continually panhandling on Duval. One time late in the day we were hanging around the Green Parrot and noticed the sidewalk traffic parting like Moses parting the Red Sea.  Along comes this blind guy tapping his white cane down the sidewalk. He walks up the curb to cross the street, stops, taps his white cane to feel the curb, takes his hand and raises his dark glasses and turns his head in both directions to check for traffic and walks across the street. I was standing right next to him and turned to friends and started laughing at the whole thing. He was heading toward the 'overflow' parking area and about 5 minutes later he drove a brand new Ford PU up the intersection and drove on. I thought the whole thing was amazing and have always wondered just how much he has ripped off folks.

[..]

The youtube video.

Who knows how heavily edited the viewable "evidence" is?

I used to give but having seen various exposes of "beggars" I no longer do.

[MP]

Driving semi, I run into panhandlers a lot.  They come over in the truck stop, with some story.  Are some of them true?  I am sure they are.  Are some of them lying?  Absolutely.

Approached one time to give money to get a tire fixed so a family could go to a family funeral.  Said no.  Four days later I was back in the same truck stop, and the same man came up to us with the same story!

I just make it a practice to say no to all.

I have bought servicemen dinner at a truck stop.  I will see some at a table, and I will ask my waitress to bring me their bill. I ask her to tell them thank you for their service. I pay it, along with mine, and leave. They never know who paid.

I never served, Vietnam was just ending when I was of age.  It is my way of saying thank you.  I have also a couple times paid for lunch for Vietnam vets, thanking them personally.  God Bless them all.

MP

[Rams]

I have bought servicemen dinner at a truck stop.  I will see some at a table, and I will ask my waitress to bring me their bill. I ask her to tell them thank you for their service. I pay it, along with mine, and leave. They never know who paid.

I never served, Vietnam was just ending when I was of age.  It is my way of saying thank you.  I have also a couple times paid for lunch for Vietnam vets, thanking them personally.  God Bless them all.

MP

My sincerest appreciation and respect.   Hopefully, at some point, we'll share some wind and asphalt, I'd be honored to break bread with you and I'm buying.   

[MP]

I have bought servicemen dinner at a truck stop.  I will see some at a table, and I will ask my waitress to bring me their bill. I ask her to tell them thank you for their service. I pay it, along with mine, and leave. They never know who paid.

I never served, Vietnam was just ending when I was of age.  It is my way of saying thank you.  I have also a couple times paid for lunch for Vietnam vets, thanking them personally.  God Bless them all.

MP

My sincerest appreciation and respect.   Hopefully, at some point, we'll share some wind and asphalt, I'd be honored to break bread with you and I'm buying.    

What a fine offer! Thank you.

I have an older cousin that was in Vietnam.  Farms 150 miles or so north of me.  He has gradually gone down hill since returning.  I have not seen him in about 20 years. With the exception of his dads funeral.  He has pretty much withdrawn from everything.  What a shame.

Have another friend we met on Valkyries.  He is being treated, but now has gotten so bad that he has even had to quit riding due to its effects.   What a terrible enemy. One's own mind turning on itself.

Since I do not know when I will be in KY, if you see a Vietnam vet, please thank him for me, and buy his lunch.

MP

[Robert]

the party culture will always support each other.

[mike72903]

The last time I was approached at the nearby Walgreens it was by a young man asking for money to buy formula for his baby.  Said his assistance check was due soon but they were out of money and needed to feed their child.  I took him into the drugstore and bought him 2 cans of what he said was the brand they used.  Offered him a ride home which he politely declined.  No idea if his story was true (likely not) but if he was just wanting a hand out I imagine he was pretty surprised to be walking around with two cans of Simi-Lac

[Rams]

No idea if his story was true (likely not) but if he was just wanting a hand out I imagine he was pretty surprised to be walking around with two cans of Simi-Lac

That explains it, I wondered who the guy was at Walgreens that was trying to sell that canned milk. 

[old2soon]

Like my friend Mel I also drove truck all over our fair Nation. The panhandlers are BRAZEN like you would not believe. In larger truck stops there might be a church directory inside the entrance. I would go in with the panhandler and offer to call the Church for them. 1 time out of 70 80 offers to make the phone call was I taken up on the offer-ONE TIME!  If they needed gas money I'd tell them to bring the car to the pumps and I'd put in $10.00 or $20.00 worth of gas-twice I had that offer excepted-TWICE out of 40 or 50 times I made the offer!  I lost count of "hungry" folks I offered to purchase meals for and been turned down-most of them THOUGHT-incorrectly-that I would give them cash!  If they-panhandlers "truly" need help you'd think they'd be grateful for help from the Church-you would be WRONG!  IF all they want is the cash there IS a 99.9% certainty the cash WILL be converted to drugs or booze or both!  Right here where I live I've been approached outside of some of our commercial establishments by panhandlers and when I offer to take them to one of our many Churches for help they CAN NOT get away fast enough.  Good vid B T W. RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

It's a U-tube video.  In both cases they're deeking the public and reporting favorably only on those who responded to being faked out.  We really are not sure what everything looked like before the video was edited for viewing.

BTW, there is welfare available for out of work dads trying to raise children.  I'd be suspicious of one hauling his child out to the sidewalk to gain sympathy for panhandling.

Decide who you're going to be and be that person.  If you choose to give to panhandlers, do so.  If you choose to generously give your money to rescue missions and soup kitchens, do that.  If you choose to do both then do so.  Don't let yourself get caught up in worrying about what other people do or don't give.  That's their responsibility, not yours.  If you don't like what you think the culture at large is choosing to do double check yourself and be certain that you're not in that line with how you choose.  

[Oss]

At Inzane on my way back from the wall-mart I noticed a man and a dog sitting on the corner
and it was hot out if memory serves me right
I had just bought several gallons of water ( I keep gallon jugs in my trunk for when I am thirsty)
and a bottle of Petron  for Psycho for doing me a favor anyway

Altho I had  passengers  I made a uturn and walked over to him

Said his girl or wife had just left him with the dog

I gave him a gallon of water and I think some of the food I bought  If my passengers
 read this thread Now that I am thinkin bout it think the passengers were Don's wife  Barb and Lothair

Usually I keep fresh fruit in the car (snacks) and when approached will offer my food, if refused I know he is scamming and will yell at him next time I see him.  Folks missing limbs I don t care if they are scamming I will give money  

The thought of someone giving money to a person with a sign asking for drug money offends me on every level

[Robert]

The thought of someone giving money to a person with a sign asking for drug money offends me on every level

YUP I agree.

[Chrisj CMA]

There is little difference to either portrayed scenario.  At least panhandler #1 was honest.  #2 tried to look more needy, but the sad truth is the money most times ends up doing the same thing.

Helping a homeless person should not depend on what you have decided that you are comfortable with.  If you really want to help, the help needs to be based on that person and their situation.

Giving cash is rarely the right thing, that said, I have given cash to a couple people that I believed their story and if they weren't lying, it made sense, but those instances are rare.