Do You Help the Homeless?

I dont help people on the street, but I support organization that help them Like Frisco Family Center and the North Texas Food Bank

so - I don't have a ton of money and when I see people asking for it on the side of the road, I want to help but know that I struggle everyday and....who knows if they really are homeless...or will they just buy drugs or alcohol with it. So - my answer, I keep a box of nutrigrain bars in my car and hand them out individually to those people. If they really are hungry, they will be thankful and I'm not feeding their "habit" if thats the case.....

You did exactly what I would have done. I always have the same thoughts and a few times had given money but felt that it was going to be used on alcohol. The last two times I helped someone out, I bought them McDonald's and gave it to them. They too seemed very grateful. The first time I did it I drove up to him and said, "I won't give you money but I will buy you lunch if you would like" he said, "bless you....". I feel euphoria for a week after doing it, there are scammers but feeding them makes me feel good and hopefully I am not getting scammed. If I am, at least I didn't buy them drugs or alcohol. Very nice of you.
ps/ Is "Crunchy" serious?? Nutritional value?? Do you really think she cares if the food is nutritious??? You eat what you can when you can get it if you are truly desperate! People think WAY too deep into things.......

First of all ignore Crunchymama, she criticized your choice of a sandwich and assumed it was white bread etc.. Walmart does use wheat bread real cheese and real meats.. The consumer has the choice of what they purchase.

Our daughter is interning all summer at our local CARITAS. They help people who are about to be homeless. It costs $600 to keep a family from being homeless, it cost $2500 to get them out of homelessness.

If there is a food pantry in your area, find out what the rules are for getting groceries. At the food pantry here in Austin you can go 10 times and get a bag of groceries to get a family through a week. CARITAS also has the soup kitchen they can go for lunch each day no questions asked..

If you have such a place in your city or town, gather the info so that you can share the information with the people that seem in need. Donate to these organizations that are there in the trenches trying to help people help themselves.

Anytime you give from your heart, is a good thing. Anyone who would find anything wrong with it, has the problem.

Seriously crunchymama? I'm all about buying homeless/needy folks food and the ones who are receptive are never picky! They're freaking hungry and aren't terribly concerned if it's a Happy Meal or grass fed monkey balls with a side of prime rib. Good for you Sunshine! I work in dowtown Atlanta and am panhandled/begged on a daily basis. I've been cussed a lot for offering a meal in lieu of cash, but many have been grateful for everything from my doggy bags to whatever restaurant is near. Funny thing, when you're starving, you just want FOOD! Sorry if I can't get to Whole Foods, but I've made some folks happy with McDonalds.

My husband and I did something similar. We don't ever give money. We saw a man with his dog in the pouring rain, and it just hit me that we needed to do something. So, we gathered up things we could live without at home... food, food for the dog, some clothes we haven't worn in YEARS, a blanket, some toiletries and an umbrella. He was nearly in tears, he was so appreciative when we gave him his little care package. Puts into perspective what we can get rid of at home when this man couldn't afford it in the first place. I applaud you for your kindness

I used to work in Chicago three days a week, and I always bought a muffin at my local bakery to take to a homeless man who always sat near the train station. He didn't have any legs. It's hard to fake no legs, and so I felt more sorry for him than the others I guess.

After reading crunchymama's diatribe, I feel bad now that I gave him refined sugar and carbs and not a nice apple or something. Geez.

You did a good thing. A really good thing. Even if you did give her white bread! Hell I eat white bread! I am still laughing about that one!!

And it is NOT a myth that homeless people are all on drugs. I guess it might be different where crunchy lives, but in the city it's almost a given and there are statistics to back it up. They're usually drug addicts, alcoholics or mentally unstable. I believe in our area I've read that about 70% are addicts of some sort, and about 30% are mentally unstable. That's not mythical.

What a wonderful way to bless that woman. I was with a friend in DC a couple of weeks ago and a man asked for money. My friend whipped out a McD's gift card that she had purchased for this very reason. She had written scripture on it so that he knew the reason she was helping him. And, it provided food, which is what he was asking for. I thought it was a great idea. We often will go actually buy food for them. One year, we bought wool socks for the homeless at Christmas. We filled the socks with granola bars, bottled water, gift cards, fruit, toothbrush and toothpaste so that they had both the new warm socks along with a few things they needed. Not much, but something. I know we don't help enough. These are good reminders.

Yes. I love to help homeless and anyone that I can. I carry a box of bars in my car for that reason with bottled waters, juice boxes and sometimes I will make a couple dozen sandwiches and hand them out. I try to remember that most homeless people are good people who have fallen on hard times. Treat them with the same love and compassion that you would give to your loved ones and you can't go wrong. As for those who are scamming others---I can usually spot that person a mile away and I steer clear of them. Another thing to remember is that alot of people in this country are just 1 paycheck away from becoming homeless. Help others whenever you can--you never know when you will need help yourself and of course do it just because it is the right thing to do.

M

Your amazing. Thanks for sharing, and yes I would. :)

Exactly what Molly said! :) Great job. Sorry you got criticized here for your choice of food. Sometimes compassion is more nourishing than a meal. Good job!

.

First, Bless you. That was a really nice thing you and your husband did. I help the homeless when I can. So far, all I've given is money, but you've inspired me to do more such as buying groceries. Not everyone looks homeless or poor either, some are just going through hard times. It's very possible she could have a job and place to live but no money to carry her over or any left from a paycheck for food. You may not know her story, but the story she will tell herself and maybe to someone else, someone helped me. Like a smile can infect someone else to smile, so does a good deed.

I never regret giving. It is not up to me to predetermine what someone will do with what I give. You know what, they might use it on drugs! Then sometime later, what if what I gave made them realize someone out there cares. What if what I didn't give confirms no one does? Yep, drugs and alcohol could be purchased. They might never think of me again. They might not even care that I gave them something, they might just be thinking of their next fix. But, they might not be. We just don't know. I choose to not decide what they will do, and pray that it helps.

I've helped a few people in the same way in the past, but unfortunately we just had something happen to a friend of ours that has made my husband ask me to promise not to do so again. :( A friend's daughter was just robbed at gunpoint when she pulled over to help. Sad and sick that people would use that as a way to prey on the kindhearted people and make others have to think twice before doing it again. :(

I'm glad you were able to help and able to have her express her gratitude to you. I've always felt very blessed after helping others. Blessings to you!

These days, yes. I don't judge what they might spend it on.

I lived in NYC for a few years, and there was someone with a sign on every corner it seemed. I learned quickly not to give money, I also learned that the people who really needed the help would take food. I often had people turn down food, and ask for money instead. I am always OK with feeding someone who is hungry, but I'm not going to support an addiction. We don't see this as much where I live now, but I always donate my used things to Salvation Army or Goodwill, and on the rare occasions someone is holding out a sign, if I have food, I'll share it. I still refuse to give out money.

I used to have a package of water bottles in my car I'd hand out to anyone I saw begging on the street. A few times I would buy them a hamburger if they were nearby the fast food place I was going to eat at anyway and only ONE TIME I bought a whole rotisserie chicken for a group of 3 homeless ppl I saw standing together.

I'm not in the position to do any of those small but meaningful things anymore and it hurts to see so many people panhandling - never sure if they truly need food and shelter or simply hawking money for something else.

FL gets a larger share of homeless due to our weather - and our county has created 2 large shelters. Guess what happened? Crime in those two areas surrounding the shelter have had increased crime. You try to help these people and there's always a handful to ruin it for everyone.

In my State and probably others, there are Homeless FAMILIES, with kids.
I help these people.
They live in their cars, or in make shift 'tents' in parks.
Sure they are human services soup kitchens, and temporary shelters, but these are often, at their capacity limits as well.

Even if the parent may have a minimum wage job, they CANNOT afford rent anywhere. Thus they are Homeless and living on the streets.

We, with our daughter, once brought a box... of things for a homeless family... at a park.
We packed, canned goods, a can opener, canned milk (they had 2 toddlers), 2nd hand t-shirts (men & womens), canned vegetables, canned meats, crackers, diapers, toddler t-shirts 2nd hand from my kids, bottled water, bread, soap, etc.
THEY appreciated it.
My daughter, learned a lot from that.
Sure we didn't make chit chat with them, but it helped them and us.

Their children, were just clothed in diapers. No shirts or pants nor anything on their feet.

I have been approached a number of times by people saying they are homeless. If it is at a grocery store, and it usually is, I go on inside and buy something extra for them that I would like too.

If they are there when I leave, I give them the extra that I bought. It may be a bag of apples or a hand of bananas or some bread. I seldom give money. I also tell them about the Salvation Army or Goodwill if they are willing to listen.

I used to be a factory rep for GM. Goodwill called my dealer up and wanted GM to pay for paint flaking of their BIG Pickup and delivery trucks. It was a couple of years out of warranty, but it was a factory problem so I had it painted for them. The Goodwill manager asked me if I had ever been to Goodwill before. I know I surprised him when I said I sure had and had bought stuff out of their store many times. He asked me if I wanted to see what they did. So he showed me. They had 15 or so individual rooms set up like bedrooms with a sink and frigerator and microwave and a bed. He said when they find someone that wants to turn their life around, they give them a room (with a key), clothes and food. They teach them a skill they can get a job with and what an employeer expects (On time, clean, works hard, no goofing off, etc). Then they find them a job and when they have some money saved up, they get them a bicycle and a place to live. If they have a family, they help with the family.

Deseret Industries does the same thing.

So I donate to those organizations. I DON"T give to the UNITED WAY. The United Way gives to the ACLU and I won't support the ACLU.

I am rather callous though, if I see someone smoking and asking for money. If they have money for cigarettes, they have money for food and its their choice.

Good luck to you and yours.

Good for you! What a difference you made - and you probably don't even know the half of it. She will remember you forever, and tell people of your kindness. It will probably inspire her to do the same, when she gets back on her feet.

I know. Because I have been there. I was homeless for a while (short while, thankfully). And even after I found a job and got a place to live, I couldn't afford to eat every day.

I remember, to this day, the emptiness - the aching - in my belly, starving after three days of no food. I remember walking along the Market (Pike Place in Seattle) and looking in the windows of the restaurants at the people inside. They were smiling and laughing and eating overpriced meals, ($7.00 for a glass of OJ!). And oh, how I wished one of them would invite me to join them! But no one ever did. I'm sure they could tell how poor I was because of my shabby clothing. And many would have assumed that I was uneducated, based on my social status. Some of the mean spirited ones would even point at me and make jokes to their friends and they would all laugh at the pathetic girl staring hungrily in the window.

But, I survived - I could go for two weeks on a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. And I eventually worked my way out of that situation and have never again been hungry.

So when I see someone who is hungry, I ask them to join me for a meal at the closest restaurant. And I feed their soul as well as their body. Because they know that someone cares enough to sit with them and eat with them and talk with them. Someone who doesn't think she is better than them, just because they can't feed themselves at that point in their life. Someone who has been in their shoes, and would have been eternally grateful if anyone had ever asked her to sit and eat with them.

And I am sure that each person I help, will eventually help someone else. Because they will remember the kindness of a stranger.

I think what you did is kind. She is someones daughter, could even be someones mama. I dont like to give anyone cash either, the ones that are truly needy will accept a fast food gift card or a bag of food. I usually offer to buy someone that I think is really hungry a meal at mcdonalds or a gas station sandwich, sometimes they accept and sometimes they get mad that I wont hand them cash for their next fix. I think too many of us are too quick to judge(myself included) someone standing on a corner asking for help as someone who put themselves in that situation. You just dont know what went wrong in someones life that put them out there.
You set a good example for your kids by showing compassion for another person, and you should be proud of yourself for that

It's tough as we have a lot of homeless. Most don't appreciate food, clothes, etc. Only want money. So I stopped giving. Plus I thought what if they reach in my car or steal my wedding rings. I smile and say sorry or I don't make eye contact. I give to local charities that can help if they go to the places I donate. ECHO is a place here for mom and kids. I tend to give there along with Goodwill and Salvation Army and Red Cross. I hope it gets where it needs to go. What a great story you posted, I hope that girl is alive another day and can make something with her life in these tough times.

Yes I do. If I have bottled water or a snack in the car I offer that. If I have $5 or $10 on hand, I give that. I'll give whatever I'm able and it's always appreciated. I gave away my favorite thermal mug filled with hot coffee several years ago that I hadn't sipped from yet. There was a young man at a usual spot known to be homeless, and it was winter and there was frost on the ground. He needed it more than I did.

When I give money, it's just what I have on hand and it's only ever a few dollars. Who am I to judge what it's spent on when it's very likely going to be spent on food? I don't entertain "what if it's spent on drugs" because honestly how much pot can you get for $10? And when there's a Dunkin Donuts and McD's and a Subway right down the road, with a starving homeless sad-looking 20-something standing there without a penny, I'll gladly part with my little bit of change.

Thats quite an eye opener Riley. Certainly makes me think.
I donate clothing, baby things, diapers, and blankets to our local Rescue Mission. When they have a food drive I donate. I like that they house people and feed them, all for free. Salvation Army takes donated items and then sells it. It sorta bothers me to know one place gives to the needy, and another makes them pay for it. I have given money very few times. I have given KFC chicken once, and I carry clean dry socks in my car to give to the street corner guys and been really pleased when they say how much they need them. Just reading Rileys comment makes me wonder a bit more about what I might do. I know some are pulling a scam of sorts, and our town did some big investigations and found a lot of the panhandlers had homes, and had income, but did this on the side cause it pays well.

Here is a really good book to read...Under the Overpass. It will change your heart. Food is food to a homeless person. Many of the things that CMama was critical of was the SAME FOOD that people WITH homes/jobs eat every day.

I am certain that any homeless person is happy to have something to put into their stomachs and quench their thirst with. When someone is homeless/jobless, their health declines, quite possibly because of no regular health/dental checkups. We have a country of people who live quite nicely on white bread, iceburg lettuce, processed deli meats and water.

I think you did a lovely thing by feeding this girl. If everyone would take a step out of their comfort zone and do something for their fellow brother/sister, this world would become a place we could be proud to give to our children.

If you are Christian, and you are looking at this situation from that standpoint, regardless of whether or not you give food/money, once that has left your hands, it is between that person and God. Prior to that, it is between YOU and God....if we do what He has commanded, we take care of our brothers/sisters in Christ. He is asking US to do the right thing, and it is our responsibility to be concerned only with the fact that we are humble and give. If that person spends it on drugs/alcohol, that is an issue that THEY will have to take up with God, not me. I don't give it a second thought when I give a homeless person money.

I tend not to give money to people on the street because where I live, there are so many resources for the homeless and hungry. All churches donate food and clothing to anyone who asks for it. We have a rescue mission that provides free hot meals and shelter and we have transitional housing for families as well. There is always more and more demand for these things of course, but I donate to these organizations. I donate to the women's shelter. Some people don't want food or clothes. Some don't even want shelter because you have to be sober. They want money for other things.
I do feel sorry for people because I know that there are many who are truly hurting.
My friend lives in a community where you can't even get in our out of the grocery store for all the people with signs or just walking up to people asking for money. You give them $5, they come out of the store with two 40-ouncers.
One guy had a sign that said, "Why lie? I want money for beer".
One guy sat out there every day that we were down visiting. He had a sign that said "Need money to feed my dog", but he had no dog with him.
I'm a single mom and I surely can't save the world, but I do give and donate to agencies who help people.

Your heart is in the right place. Many people are hurting these days.

Best wishes.

I always try to donate unused and unwanted items (clothes, shoes, etc.) to the local thrift store and I will donate money directly to a charity rather than just giving to to the person themselves. Like you said, you don't know if they are going to use the money for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or what. I feel bad too, and I know there are many people living on the streets because of mental illness and possibly other circumstances beyond their control, but there are also shelters and soup kitchens and other resources for them to seek help from. I think you did the right thing by offering a meal instead of cash. If we are leaving a baseball game and someone is playing music in the street, I will toss loose change into their can, but that's about it.

Hello

I DO give but not directly to someone on the streets perse and nor do I judge why a person is wanting money. Who really knows why except for them. That said, I give to an organization such as the Salvation Army . I just feel they can make a few dollars go farther than just giving it to one person. In addition, we send money to an organization via our church that helps to educate children globally. I used to give money out ALL the time to those panhandling and then one day I decided to find ways to spread what I had to give a little farther and to me, giving to an organization who is known for helping people was the answer. It's not for everyone, but it's what works for me and my family..

Our youth group has put together "manna bags" to give to homeless people on corners... it usually has a bottle of water, a can of vienna sausage, some snack crackers, and things like that, along with a bit of scripture, all tucked into a ziplock bag (gallon size).

I usually don't give money, but I have given out a couple of those bags, or bottled water.

If I see a homeless person I haven't seen before in my area, I "assess" them. I look for signs of wear in their clothing, dirty hair, dirty skin. Worn out shoes. A pack full of stuff. If I feel they are likely truly in need I go to walmart and do similar to what you did. Only- I add in socks. Packs of soap and lotion. Wash rags. Deoderant. SPF (seems silly- but they're outside all day every day), most importantly- I add in applications for human services for medicaid, TANF, and any other relevant programs. I also hand out a listing of local shelters and give them a phone card- just in case there is someone who would care about them that they could call. It puts me back financially- but I think to myself- "That could be me"

It puts my life in perspective and helps me stay humble and kind.

You truly did a generous loving thing.

To anyone who'd cow me for the way I give to someone in need- I've been in these shoes. I wasn't down for a long time, but I was down long enough to know what it's like. Most homeless reach a point where they're willing to pick out of trash cans. Fresh food is like mana from god.

There is a homeless lady in our area that stands in various parking lots with signs and such - seems like a nice lady - I brought her groceries one time and she accepted them graciously. Then, I saw her again and asked her if she was going to be there for a while I would bring her groceries and she said yeah, then when I got back she was gone (I was only gone like 30 minutes) - so I never tried to take her groceries again......LOL ~ don't know if she was really down and out or not - if I saw someone else, I would probably do the same again, BUT, I probably will not try to help her out again.

You know, it really depends on the day for me. I don't know how to explain it. Sometimes helping out can be like giving food or even once I gave a young man some gas for his car instead of cash. I try to be more giving that way - does that make sense.
I am less likely to give it to the one person who stakes out the same corner, day in and day out.
One day there was this older lady, probably in her late 60's standing on the corner with a sign that said "just trying to feed me and my grandkids." You could tell she was bitterly ashamed of being there and was probably the saddest person I have ever seen out there. I had to help.
I just always say to myself that I hope that there was an honest need and not a lie, and although I can't control what they do with what I give, I did my part to be a caring human and there is never anything wrong with that.

I would have given $ but I LOVE what you did much better.
It is more helpful and the money is sure to go to what is actually needed: food and clothing. Thank you for sharing and I will do this same thing next time!

I personally would not stop to help. Thats what goverment assistance is there for and all the food pantrys. Every time I see someone on the side of the road trying to flag someone for whatever reason I think to myself I dont know that person, they are a stranger, so they could have a weapon and they could harm my family. I truthfully think you did the wrong thing. I help with needy by donating food and clothes to assistance centers, somewhere I feel safe taking my little ones with.

I typically give them gift cards to McDonalds or Wendys...I don't give them cash.

This was VERY sweet of you to do...I don't know if I would've driven and got her groceries...I know that's what my son wants to do for some squatters that are near the Target...they've been living in tents for 3 years now...the county hasn't moved them....he wants to drop groceries off for them...so what we did was shopped at Target and took the food over to a food bank...that was my compromise...as I want to help - however, with my luck- i would give them something they were allergic to!! I know...I know...but i'd rather give to the food bank...

If someone is hungry, I have NO PROBLEM buying them food, or walking with them to a shelter and paying the $15 bucks so they can get a bed and a shower. But i WILL NOT, under any circumstances, give a person money so they can buy drugs.
Nobody should have to go hungry or sleep on the streets, and i will do what i can to help, but i'm not going to support a persons drug addiction.
Its natural to think those thoughts so don't beat yourself up over it. I think you did the right thing, 100%

Wow. I haven't been on mamasourse (now mamapedia in a while with the volunteering and school) and I see that nothing has changed...it seems, since slavery. I say that because that appears how you looked at this woman as people use to peer at slaves. You either want to help and are quick to move or you don't. It's either in your heart or not. I volunteer weekly at a pantry. I see people (from the shift in this economy) with louis bags to holes in their shoes seniors to children. All races and creeds. I don't look at them different...even muslims. Do I treat them different? no. What if it were you? would you and your husband want to be treated different if it were you at the end of the drive thru? being peered at? Funny thing is I counsel people financially at work in Psych for loss of a job whether they are the product of this government's downfall or their own and they all say the same thing. I know you are judging me! you and your stilettos and your finely pressed suit and I have them turn to a sign that I have hanging in my office: I know-I've been there. They calm down get comfortable and come to see me years even after they complete treatment. Think about where you can end up before you choose to look speak or assume something about the person in front of you-and that goes for everybody. Enjoy your day.

If i ever have a couple bucks on me ,,,,its theirs.

I do not help people on the street with signs, etc. I do however, actively donate to our community outreach program and the local women's shelter.

There have been too many scam stories with people begging in the streets, especially the Dallas area, that makes me stay away from enabling a drug or alcohol habit and help.

I feel good when I donate to my community where I know the donations are genuinely appreciated.

I donate annually to United Way to distribute to their programs in my area and I donate tons of clothes to the Hubbard House here. I will never give money directly to someone "begging" again. I work downtown in my city where the majority of the shelters are. I had this one man that I passed daily from my garage to my building that if I had cash on me I would help him out. One day as I was passing him and he asked if I had change that day (I didn't) he told me to hold up so I turned back to him and he verbally assaulted me (sexually). I was so astounded I just shook my head and walked off. As I thought about this though it totally pushes my buttons! How dare this may whom I have been decent towards in the past talk to me this way. I guess I am still very bitter about this. I'll stick to donating my funds as I do now and to the donation of clothes but I will not hand out cash ever again.

No, I have seen too many "homeless" people getting into their “hidden” vehicle's (parked on a side street) at the end of their hard day’s work.

I would like to help this one guy that I know is homeless (they live under one of the over passes of the freeway.) He walks around with a shopping basket full of his treasures and his very thin pit pull. I was planning on buying some food to give to his dog, as I do not trust him to buy food.

I think what you did was very nice. My hubby was outside a restaurant one day and there was a couple who had a similar sign. He decided to buy some extra food before he left and tried to give it to them when he walked out and they refused it. I don't think either of us will ever do something like that again... We do donate to our local food bank. I know it is not quite the same thing but feels like a better cause.

Working with the homeless, and the mentally ill populations, I applaud you for your generous nature. You certainly are the exception. You were right in giving her food, then cash. Cash does not go very far, and unfortunately for some, it does go to alcohol and drugs, as they cope with their situations. Many do not have assistance in finding appropriate resources, agencies, and shelters . Others have accepted their situation, and do nothing about it. However, showing compassion to those less fortunate is one way to make a difference. You never know what your random act of kindness did for that women. It might have given her hope, and the motivation to change. Seeing someone else give like that, will not go unnoticed.

I don't give to them individually because we have a huge homeless problem here in Anchorage, along with a huge addiction problem. I donate my money, items, and time to the homeless shelters and food pantries where I can do the most good with my limited resources.