Rest Stop Beggars

[Tiny Dog]

I was approched at a rest stop in Oregon by a young man claiming he needed money to buy gas to get his sick child to the hospital. When I offered to call the State Police to assist him he declined. When I came out of the restroom I noticed that he and the vehicle with the hood up and the gas can beside it were gone.

[Ramblin]

I usually wave them on when I see the 'approach'. When I feel compelled to speak, I usually say "Other than give you money, what can I do to help you?" Most often, sad to say, giving them money just perpetuates their problems. They use it to finance the rut they are in.

[Larry & Rita]

Originally Posted by traveler of california

Where on the I5 did this happen?

Nick

We pulled into the rest stop just south of exit 57

[Larry & Rita]

Originally Posted by tedgard01

When you find yourself without a job, it is only then that you realize that employers routinely discriminate against an unemployed person. It is only when you lose your house that you realize that you can not even rent a place if you don't already have an address. You can not get a drivers license to drive to a job if you don't have an address.

Not always true.
Look up the Drivers Lic. service in Washington, it says "If a person is homeless and living under a bridge, they can use "Under sixth street bridge" as an address, but being a full timer witn a $200,000.00 motor home I can't change my address here.

[Cliffy]

I won't donate to pan handlers period BUT what I will do is tip heavy at a restaurant or any other place with workers that get tips, for good service. Its a damn hard job and they really work for tips and if they're willing to work, I'm willing to help them out.

[Possum]

Originally Posted by Larry & Rita

Not always true.
Look up the Drivers Lic. service in Washington, it says "If a person is homeless and living under a bridge, they can use "Under sixth street bridge" as an address, but being a full timer with a $200,000.00 motor home I can't change my address here.

Try "Parked under 6th St bridge." I agree governments systematically discriminate against people with more money than some but not enough to be considered rich.

If our governments (North American) would treat their seniors and underprivileged children with the same money largess they throw at other countries we could all afford to eat and live. Won't happen though as there is a strong politically correct crowd pushing for handouts to other countries and most of them still hate us in spite of the largess shown.

[Mekanic]

Originally Posted by bjcarpetguy

Way back in 1997, DW and I fell on some pretty hard times. Ended up in Montana for the summer and into next spring. I made a living dumpster diving. Did it 7 days a week. That spring was able to get to Portland Or.
Spent the summer working out of labor ready. 50% of each days pay went
to child support.
We Never once begged or ask for a handout.

At times we slept on the sidewalk in front of there doors so we could be the
first ones there to insure we got sent out.
I guess because of our experience with this is why I don't give money to them.

You spent the winter in Montana dumpster diving!! That is hard core right there.
No way I am that tough, I would have caught a Greyhound to Miami myself.

[Mr_D]

Problems can happen to anyone. We both work and both collect retirement in addition. BUT the DW has been in the hospital 7 times in the last year, in fact she's there right now. If it weren't for good health insurance and short term care benefits we'd be having to dig into our retirement funds just to pay the hospital bills. We're still not out of the woods as the Dr's can't seem to stop the blood vomiting for very long.
Worked too hard and too long to freely give cash away.

[nomad297]

I give to those who do not ask, but appear to need.

Bruce

[kazeej]

Originally Posted by nomad297

I give to those who do not ask, but appear to need.

Bruce

I follow the same rule.

[donie]

We were heading to Cali. From Utah on I 15. Stopped at Stateline for gas and was approached by a guy claiming to be a vet trying to get his family home and was short on funds. I filled his tank and sent him on his way.Three weeks later,same station, same "vet" same scenerio.
Told him "Bull, you pulled that three weeks ago.
He apologized and turned around and went to bum off someone else.

[tedgard01]

Hi fellow RVers. Give your handouts to your local soup kitchen, food bank, etc

[Dogpatch]

I was in Seattle at the waterfront and there was a guy with his dog and had a sign "spare change for homeless and hungry". We gave him a few bucks. A few minutes later, we were talking to one of the concession people and he said, that guy has been doing that for about 3 years and bragged to him "why should I work, I made $65,000 last year from spare change just from panhandling". I felt like a bit of a sucker!

Nice thing about everything going to plastic....I never have real money on me anymore and don't feel guilty about turning them down.

[laj]

their all scammers. they should be arrested for fraud, operating a business without a license, animal cruelty and tax evasion.