Panhandlers

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Loraura

Most people who "look dirty" and "will probably just buy drugs or alcohol with it" are in a mental health crisis. When in such poor mental health they can not hold a job.

If you desire less panhandling, funnel your charity dollars for mental health for the poor.

Yes yes yes yes yes.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Loraura

Most people who "look dirty" and "will probably just buy drugs or alcohol with it" are in a mental health crisis. When in such poor mental health they can not hold a job.

If you desire less panhandling, funnel your charity dollars for mental health for the poor.

Excellent advice!

[1bigmess]

Interesting perspective. Discuss?

[Deny]

A pan Handler was arrested a couple of weeks ago in West Palm Beach. He was arrested for panhandling in a prohibited area. He had $2000 in his pocket.

We had a group of guys , dressed in Fatigues, collecting for the Vets , at a major Intersection in our town. A local reporter followed up- they gave about 10% of their collections to the Disabled Vets of America. The rest-they kept for themselves.

After the article appeared in the local Paper- they disappeared.

There is big money in Scamming.

[wolfcreek]

Originally Posted by Deny

We had a group of guys , dressed in Fatigues, collecting for the Vets , at a major Intersection in our town. A local reporter followed up- they gave about 10% of their collections to the Disabled Vets of America. The rest-they kept for themselves.

I come to these Intersection "collection" stations every once in a while. Depending on how the traffic moves, you might find yourself with one of the volunteers right beside your window. It is really hard NOT to give something at this point, just hope it ALL goes to a good cause.

[bulldog2]

did the santa thing one year ,got a good bunch of stuff with the kids told them who it was for ,went over to there apartment ,next door lady says ,sorry there on VAC in florida ,LAST time i ever did that ,really P___ED me off

[ArmandV]

I just say I have no change as I only use my debit card.

[beamisl]

1bigmess,

I read what you posted and can agree to a degree. I have been poor and struggled to earn enough to meet bills and put food on the table. I did not panhandle, I shoveled drives, moved yards, baby sat, painted house, barns, and finally got a waitress job, and then got into a hospital. Things got better and then I educated myself and paid for it with some assistance from my employer.

What bothers me is the mental health issue. There are legitimate people out there who cannot live in normal society and how do you help everyone, it is impossible. I just wondered what others thought and how they handled it. It bothers me to go by people and not help but I have other areas I prefer to help in.

Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate each one. Lynne

[SDCOToyhaul]

We rarely ever give to panhandlers for the reasons stated. that said, one of our "bucket list" things to do is pan handle for a few hours at the local area. Thought may even bring the cat. Lol Would be curious as to the response we would get.

[1bigmess]

Originally Posted by beamisl

1bigmess,

I read what you posted and can agree to a degree.

(Big snip of the post - Dan)

What bothers me is the mental health issue. There are legitimate people out there who cannot live in normal society and how do you help everyone, it is impossible.

I had a pretty long reason for my opinion on this matter written out, but then I remembered that folks will ignore it, and even blame me for some of what my family is dealing with and how it relates to this. After all, in an information vacuum, people fill the voids with what they want to believe, not what is factual.

So I deleted it.

I am not trying in any way to tell anyone what to do with their money. All I ask is that people change their thinking and how they judge others. Change it for the better so that we can start to change some things in the world for the better.

[terryl]

I was heading back to AZ from So. Cal. last year and stopped at a Flying J near Palm Springs. Filling up the RV and had some guy come up to me claiming to be active duty military heading back to his base near San Diego. He said he had messed up a tire on his car and needed money for a replacement, and if he wasn't back on his base by that evening, he would be in big trouble. He flashed me his dog tags around his neck as supposed proof of his honesty. I asked him where his disabled car was, and he pointed to a car in a motel parking lot across the street. Well, I wasn't about to walk over there to examine his tire, cause I wanted to get home myself.

I told him that I thought he was a scammer, and shame on him if he was, and he looked offended at the suggestion. But I did give him some money, in case it was legit. I have since heard that you can buy dog tags on e-bay. So, yes, I probably got taken advantage of, but contributed just on the small chance that he was being straight with me.

I prefer to give my money to our 4 legged friends, as you know they aren't lying to you.

[1bigmess]

Originally Posted by terryl

I have since heard that you can buy dog tags on e-bay.

And surplus stores, and some shopping mall stores. I have a set that go on my shoes when I hike into the wilderness, and there is one riveted on my dog's collar. They pretty much prove nothing anymore.

[TQ60]

Make no eye contact and say nothing.

Just do what you are doing as if nobody is there and you should be fine.

If they get pushy just state yiu do not carry cash due to being robbed by a street urchin and wish them a good day.

Most do this for a living and know that if they actually touch you they can be arrested in a heartbeat and cops usually sweep the area of all of them so they self police so to speak most of the time.

If you are at some place of business and need to walk inside do make noise with management and insist an escort out so store folks can run them off.

Most stores will do this if you ask.

[JohnBoyToo]

I too got 'taken' once... so I too stopped...
I've offered to give technical training and been laughed at

However,
I would love to have a way to discern true needs and I would help as much as I could...

A saying I heard a while back...

If a favor (or gift) is expected to be returned,
it is no longer a favor, it is a debt !