Do You Give to the Homeless?

[cgannon64]

Do you give to homeless charities regularly, occaisonally, to the man on the street, or what?

I occaisonally give to the homeless, but if its an extreme case, I do it regularly - for example, I know this one woman who lives in a tent near our school.

What about you?

 

[floppa21]

I do not give at all. I used to. I stopped. I used to give blood. I may still in a few days here actually. I don't of any cases like yours where I would see someone regularly who could use my help though.

 

[cgannon64]

How big is Aurora? Is there a major homeless population there?

 

[Suki_Jones]

yes, sometimes. but only if they dont look like drunks/druggies.

 

[Mr Black]

Only when they are selling newspapers or candy.

 

[naervod]

I sometimes do. It is a nice thing to do. My sister and mother a part of a huge charity organization and give all the time, as well as do fundraisers, etc.

 

[Furry Spatula]

I never give to the man on the street. I just think it does more harm then good. I support Charities but if i give that man on the street money he is very likely to just by crack. Sure call me all kind of names you want, but it is a fact that in Vancouver most of the bum's are on the east end. And the panhandlers there are mostly all drug addicts and drunks. I generally try to avoid those areas though.

 

[amadeus]

If they've got a switchblade.

 

[Furry Spatula]

LOL, Rm i hate to break it to you, but at that point you aren't giving the homeless man money, he's taking it. The choice you have is if he takes it from a living body or a dead deceased corpse.

 

[Hitro]

No, we have a social security system that should take care of it. I'm in favour of expanding that system, but giving to random people would undermine it.

 

[cgannon64]

Originally posted by Suki_Jones
yes, sometimes. but only if they dont look like drunks/druggies.

Same here. Or if they were clothes that look too nice.

 

[newfangle]

I don't ever give to the bottom end because it will inevitably be squandered. Any money or time I donate has to be in a reputable company that may give me benefits later in life. Such things as the Heart and Stroke foundation I consider worthy causes (and they also know how to handle money better than an addict).

 

[Perfection]

No, they'd probobly spend it all on useless things like night school and drug rehab programs

 

[amadeus]

Originally posted by Perfection
No, they'd probobly spend it all on useless things like night school and drug rehab programs

First, night school? It's not like they've got anything to do during the day.

Second, many drug rehab programs are offered as part of different charity organizations.

Fact is, many "homeless" people either WANT to be or they are addicted to drugs, and will only use that money to purchase more.

If you really want to be charitable, tell them that you'll take them out for lunch instead of giving them money. See how much they'll want your charity then.

 

[Perfection]

That was sarcasm. RMsharpe.

 

[amadeus]

Consider it a preemptive argument.

 

[Perfection]

Maybe I could give them little capsules filled with cyanide.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Ive been giving ciggaretes and buying the occasional donut and coffee for an old homeless guy for the past few years. He's staked out a little strip that has a Quickcheck, Dunkin Donuts, a Burger King and a diner. Ive seen him rummaging through the dumpsters and garbage cans taking out food and putting it in bags. He hardly seems to be starving. We've barely ever spoken more than one or two words, but he seems to have mental/emotional problems.

 

[Knowze Gungk]

I do it all the time. I'll approach the homeless, produce a shiny gold coin from my pocket, then I'll flick it out into the middle of busy inner city street. But if I'm feeling generous, I'll take'em to one of the bridges, show them a Fifty dollar note, roll it up, throw it over the edge and watch it flutter all the way down to the river. The bums usally hit the water first.

What can I say? I'm just generous by nature I guess.

 

[cgannon64]

I know someone who offers nearly every homeless person they see a Pretzel from a nearby stand. Most of them don't accept, for obvious reasons, but its a great way to single out those in real need and get them what they really want.

Of course, I have neither the time nor money to do that.