Discussions

What concern is it of yours? If people are willing to help someone, why do you care what the money goes towards? I for one would still help this individual, and I hope others aren’t deterred because of somebody’s view of someone’s situation.  
 
Edited by Pauls_Not_Paul, 2020-07-11 16:04:25

Why would I and lots of other people  
want to donate to support others people's  
bad habits?

Any time you give money to a random stranger begging for money at an intersection (with no sign might I add), you really have no idea what the money will be used for. Could be going toward food, but could just as easily be used for drugs, Alcohol, gambling Etc. Does it matter? If you are bothered by it, don’t give him money. Seems fairly straight forward.

Once you hand him money, you don’t decide how it’s spent. Unless he signed a contract saying it was going to food it’s really no ones business. You give money to give money, if they don’t spend it on that oh well.  
I no longer give money for these reasons though. I will offer someone fast food or to come into a store with me and pick a ready meal. About 80% of those are declined. Can’t be that hungry then I suppose !

Many years ago my wife and I encountered a scruffy man sitting on the sidewalk on a dark street in French Quarter in New Orleans. He held a piece of cardboard on which he had printed the following. “For the love of god, please help me. I am hooked on phonics”. We gave him more money than we have ever given anyone since. Were we taken? Of course.

try to get extra money from what they've been given on the street. once you give the money its of no concern to you how or what they spend it on. most dont spend it where the donator may believe they should but again its no longer yours to say what happens to it.

It is not your concern how he spends his money. People suffer addiction, mental health issues, etc. You either give or you don't. I try not to judge as it easily could be myself or someone I love in that position.

My favorite was a cardboard sign a guy in Vegas was holding a couple years ago. It said "Crack doesn't grow on trees." It's pretty rare that when you give money to people in this situation you are helping out an otherwise self supportive person that happens to be "down on their luck" temporarily. They make choices too.

some truly want to help their fellow man by giving them money but not to buy drugs, alcohol or waste it on VLTS. If that's why you are begging for money then you don't really need the money you are begging for.  
The Lord helps those that help themselves my Grandma would always say.  
If you have a roof over your head and food in your belly then all the rest of your habits aren't going to be supported by me.

I give him my change every time I see him.

His name is Rick.  
 
I know this because we drive by the Corral Center daily and my 6 year old daughter has taken an especial interest in him.  
 
She was always asking me if that man was homeless, if he had a vehicle, a family.. why he always wore the same clothing.. and if he had food to eat?  
 
I told her I could not answer her questions because obviously I don't know him, so I don't know the answers.  
 
One day however, my daughter saw him sitting in the very hot sun and she was moved to tears by him. She told me how bad she felt for him and asked if we could buy him some cold drinks and food.  
 
Of course, I could not say "no".  
 
We went to the Dollarama and I let her pick out some things. She bought him some Gatorade and chocolate bars.  
 
We then drove over to where he was sitting, parked our vehicle and walked out to him. I introduced ourselves and we asked him his name. I said that we saw him sitting out here a lot and that my daughter wanted to do something nice for him. We passed him the bag of treats, he smiled and said "Thank you".  
 
On the walk back to our vehicle my daughter said "I think that really made him feel happy, Mom." She was elated that she had done something nice for him and I could not express to her enough how proud I was that she was thinking of others.  
 
Since that day, when we stop at the intersections and see him, we roll our windows down and say "Hi Rick!" and pass him any spare change we have.  
 
It does not matter to me what he chooses to spend or use that money for. What matters to me is that my daughter sees me doing good for other people and that I am teaching my daughter kindness for others.  
 
Also, since that day, my daughter has asked me if we can buy Rick new clothing.. a car.. and even a house!!!  
 
To that, I have said "Whoa girl, slow down."  
 
Spread kindness.  
Teach kindness.  
 
Say "Hi" to Rick.  
 
Edited by AnonymousFriend, 2020-07-13 01:09:28

I think that is really nice! Kindness is much needed in today’s world.

I give him my change too.

Is he the same one that gives you the finger if you don’t give him money? I’ve seen that a few times in the corral centre.  
I personally don’t give anything to panhandlers, but I don’t knock those that do. I donate money and food to the food bank instead. Or to Bear Clan. Just my personal choice.

Parenting done right! I love hearing these stories. If you choose to give, your doing it because you want to help someone. What they decide to spend it on, that's up to them. I admire what you decided to teach your daughter, and i'm thankful for that future reflection. You got yourself a kind hearted young lady!

sounds sweet and caring and there's nothing wrong with that. And i bet you will make sure that she never has to go without anything she needs in her young life and perhaps too when she is an adult. You must enjoy a good quality of life  
 
But you have to realize..... some of us barely have enough money for ourselves, we can't afford to feed/clothe anyone else besides our own family circle.  
 
While i can and do give garden produce if there is plenty i cannot 'donate' cash for others.  
I cannot fathom why people think others should give to another person who wants to drink alcohol or stick a needle in their arm, i just can't understand that reasoning.  
 
Don't have a problem if people offer to purchase food or drop food off for this person or others but sorry i will not be handing out any to him or others.

"sounds sweet and caring and there's nothing wrong with that. And i bet you will make sure that she never has to go without anything she needs in her young life and perhaps too when she is an adult. You must enjoy a good quality of life." - This whole statement makes me feel like your jealous, and it's unnecessary! You couldn't see how she was trying to teach her child that we can't always give, and there is a limit to these types of situations? Just because she could spare probably an extra 6 dollars from dollarama to give to Rick, doesn't mean anything other that she was trying to do a nice thing. lets not make her seem like she's privileged because she did so.  
 
I feel like your comment has tones in it, that's hard to read. It's totally fine if people can't give any money, kindness comes in different forms, like you've expressed by garden produce. That's wonderful. An addict comes in many forms, your perfectly, well dress neighbor sadly could be very addicted to many things but no one would expect this because of they way they talk/dress/act.  
 
We as a society are very VERY quick to judge that person who is less fortunate. I think we need to look past the reasoning's as to why, but how can we help in any way to create a better situation. Maybe, find a pamphlet or two in regards to shelters, different resources and have them handy in your car. So when you see these people, this is your way of contributing.  
 
Edited by Brandonite77, 2020-07-13 11:07:57

Trapper 85:  
I was just wondering, did you actually see him go to the VLT? I really don't know how they make any money standing there, it seems like a very awkward spot to try to get any money.

Panhandling - I love your story. kids don't see a person's colour or judge at all (they learn that). I have heard, though, of people actually buying a pair of shoes or a coat for a person (even if you got it at a used clothing store). I thought that was beyond kind thinking by your little girl. Kudos - I am smiling. I don't go over to Corale Centre very often but I never realized the same person stood there. I will watch from now on.

A lot of really nice warm and fuzzy stories about panhandlers here. And to be honest people can do whatever they want, if you want to give them Gatorade and a Snickers go for it. If you want to give him your change, have at it. But keep in mind by you doing this you are encouraging this behaviour of sitting around begging to continue.  
 
I've seen this gentleman before, he looks harmless unlike that little meth'd out punk that usually pretends to be homeless (yes I know for a fact he is not) but what I don't understand is why Mr. Rick doesn't go get himself a job and make his own money. There are tons of jobs around, heck the Government is so desperate they are paying people $2000 to "kick CERB to the curb" and go get one. I'm aware not everyone chooses to be homeless and some will likely be offended by this post but let's stop encouraging this behaviour. If you want donate to the many programs that help these folks like the helping hands soup kitchen etc. There are many out there that help these people. But again hey it's your money you can do with it as you please but maybe think a little before you start handing it out is all I'm saying.  
 
Edited by BiG Mack, 2020-07-14 06:46:50

the best kind of charity is?? The one where people give but don't have to advertise what and how much they can give.  
 
And i am going to put this out there because this is where our society is heading...... people are crying about defunding and disbanding the police.... the criminals are going to be running our cities if we are stupid enough to let that happen.  
The people who don't contribute to the cost of our society already have a good footing, and there we are.... what do you need? hmm... yup, let's get you a nice place to live, do you need some clothes, shoes? oh right yes you surely need food too? There you go!  
Now you don't have to worry  
 
I'll pass on the pamphlets thanks, i already know how most of these people work  
I do know of a few people who collect welfare and have received the 2 grand cheques! Party time! And no they weren't not entitled because they have never worked a day in their life!