Discussions

do people actually give out money to those people

I always give something to them not heartless person I try to help anyone

about being heartless. People donate to food banks so no one has to go hungry. Our tax money goes to food banks also.  
 
I have no problem topping off someone's bill at the cash register but if someone is standing outside with their hand out, no way will I give one dime.

This subject has been talked about on here many times.  
People say "why don't they get a job " Fact of the matter is these people have chosen just that as their Job !  
 
What is it about it that people don't get, THAT IS THE JOB THEY HAVE CHOSEN....  
 
A good panhandler in Brandon can easily make $500-$600 hundred a day, and it is all tax free. In bigger areas like Wpg,TO or Van a panhandler can easily make over $1000. a day .

Robbie said "This subject has been talked about on here many times.   People say "why don't they get a job " Fact of the matter is these people have chosen just that as their Job !     What is it about it that people don't get, THAT IS THE JOB THEY HAVE CHOSEN....     A good panhandler in Brandon can easily make $500-$600 hundred a day, and it is all tax free. In bigger areas like Wpg,TO or Van a panhandler can easily make over $1000. a day . "

And sadly if people keep giving them money it will continue to be their job.  
 
I admit that I don't give them money. I donate to reputable charities so nobody can say I am heartless.

U disagree. I job is getting outta bed in the morning. Cleaning up and going to a place of work with people. Not standing on the street asking for money from hard working people that struggle to make ends meet as 75% of the province does . Why should we pay taxes and they don't. I think EVERYONE should pay taxes. Sometimes I would like to know they're good reasoning for not working and hanging out on the street. If they can stand all day they aren't disabled.

A 600 dollar day? A $1000 in Winnipeg?  
If they worked a 10 hour day without a break, that''s equal to 600 minutes.  
That''s like getting a buck a person every 60 minutes in an hour.  
That''s getting a 5 dollar donation every 5 minutes for 10 straight hours!  
 
Personally, I don''t mind the passive guitar playing guy, but the one on the bike that rides up behind you and gets a couple feet from you is getting into my personal space.  
 
Edited by loeog, 2017-06-26 08:11:57

I refuse to, I've watched people pan handle and then walk over to a vehicle that's nicer than mine and drive away.

make less then $100.00 per day regardless of whether they are in a large city like Vancouver or Calgary or Brandon. As far as Income Tax goes ask yourself this - Would you rather see a Pan handler begging for unwanted change on the street and not paying taxes on the meger amount s/he makes - or the same individual sitting at home on welfare being supported by our tax dollars. Personally I'd rather see them pan handleing - at least it shows some ambition to create employment on their part.

I imagine most of these people have a mental illness or some reason that they are not able to carry a full-time job. I give them change if I have. If this is how they want to spend their day then so be it.  
 
You have the choice to give or not to give. I personally like to give to those less fortunate than me. Each to their own.  
 
Maybe the world would be a better place if people showed more compassion instead of judgement. And by being compassionate I do not mean that you need to give them money. Why not bring them a loaf of bread? I am sure these are the same people who are utilizing the food banks/soup kitchens.

How do you know they are not on Welfare.

People would never guess it now because I own a home, two vehicles, have a loving wife... My life is good.  
 
But it wasn't always that way. 12 years ago I was homeless in a city in Ontario. I got out of it from a mixture of hard work and also the goodness of a few people who helped me along.  
 
That said, without their help, NO AMOUNT of hard work I could have done in that situation would have been enough to help me change my life. I absolutely benefited from right place/right time/right people. I still had to be willing to work hard, but without them it would never have happened and I'd likely be dead.  
 
When I was homeless, there were things that were just as good as money that I would sometimes need. Things like toilet paper, bottled water, baby wipes, a good meal, etc.  
 
As such, when I see people panhandling I usually go buy them something I think they might need. In the winter time at Walmart, i usually get them a coffee and a sandwich or something else to that extent.  
 
I do this because I know that there are people who make it a "career". I dont agree with that. I know there are people who just drink every dollar they get. I super dont agree with that either. But, I also know from personal experience that some people have just had life COMPLETELY SUCKER PUNCH THEM. And it's not really my place to guess at which people those are. So rather than placing judgement on all of them, I choose to give. But I choose to give wisely.

I don't give out money because I don't want to contribute to alcoholism or a drug addiction. I always ask what the change/money is needed for, and if they say food, I then offer to buy the person a meal. Quite often they will say good but will turn down the offer for a meal! So I know then that food is NOT their intention. I have also been hugged and have seen tears in a man's eyes when I bought him a meal from McDonalds this winter. I also have bought this same man coffee/hot chocolate when I have seen him outside at Tim Hortons. This man is on a pedal bike and is ALWAYS so happy to receive a meal, a warm drink on a cold day, or a cold drink on a hot day! There is also another fellow who sits by Superstore and plays bongo drums, I asked him why he does this and he does it to help pay for his wife's medication when their disability won't cover some of them. I have also offered him rides home on bitterly cold and hot days. I met his wife, who is really ill and they appreciate everyone who gives change. It is always good to learn someone's story before you go judging someone for panhandling....

I meant to say that the person in question will say they want food, but will turn down the offer for a meal....

I gave up on giving panhandlers money a long time ago. I kept seeing this one guy going to beerstore.

There is a couple of guys that have been at that spot for the last 3 years... I will not give them money.. They spoil it for thos that do need it.... When I lived in BC they charged a women for pan handling. She was a millionaire

SO I normally throw the guitar man at the Coral Centre a couple bucks but that stopped this weekend. As I was walking up to him I saw him pouring a king can beer into his coffee cup. Then saw him harassing people in the parking lot..He's off my list.

also has a severe drug addiction.....  
 
Edited by Happy1986, 2017-06-26 16:32:28

1) They say they want to buy food, but refuse a meal. Well, they just might be buying for their family. A meal for the person you *see* doesn't help his/her family.  
 
2) They might spend it on booze! Yeah. I do that sometimes, too. Sometimes we all could use a drink.  
 
3) They're making more money than me! Probably not, though, right? In Brandon???  
 
4) I might be contributing to a drug habit! Or, you might be saving someone's life.  
 
If you don't want to give panhandlers money, then don't. But don't make silly excuses. Just say no.

Wage  
The 50 respondents reported an average hourly income of $4.96, an average daily income of $21.69, and an average weekly income of $106.64.  
 
It's a very good read, it covers most issues and myths talked about here on Ebrandon.  
The Millionaire Panhandler.  
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/the-millionaire-panhandler/Content?oid=10627133

Don't feed the pigeons.  
 
 
Unless you want more pigeons.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Never more than $5 so it's certainly not going to break me. What they do with the money I voluntarily give them is up to them. Once I give any gift, it's no longer mine and I wouldn't dream of telling someone how to use the gift I gave.  
 
I used to keep a few care kits in the car (shampoo/deodorant/granola bar etc) but haven't in awhile. I should make a few up again!

The part that confuses me is why do they always have a sign with some crisis written on it. It is like they are using the sign to pull at people's heart string to get money. They choose to beg for money I choose to not give. I respect their choice so they should respect mine.

Here's an idea, you don't want to give change or a few dollars to someone, Don't that is your choice. If you want to give that also is your choice. Judge the face in mirror, not the person standing on a corner or wherever they chose to stand,they have a mirror they face everyday also. Do you know their story? Do you know why they make the choice to panhandle? Maybe it is their full time job,maybe they are happy with this lifestyle,Maybe it's not by choice? Either way who are to judge their decision? They could be making worse choices to feed themselves, their addiction, or their lifestyle. Instead of judging just don't give,it's that simple

It scares me when they come up to my car door. I keep my doors locked. Someone asked me if it was even legal in Brandon?

My Fiance and I were sitting in our car in the parking lot of Walmart yesterday when a man came up to the drivers side window saying he was homeless and asking for change. Gave me quite a fright.  
 
There was also a young lady standing on the corner leaving the corral center, she had a sign but I didn't get the chance to read it while pulling out. Fiance remarked how she had nicer clothes then me, but I don't think you can judge how well off someone is by what they wear, I found plenty a good deal at Value Village myself.  
 
The corner seems like a popular place for panhandling. A few weeks back saw a guy there with a sign saying "Not on Crack." It got a chuckle out of our car.

Guess I don't like to judge anyone without knowing their story. As others have said, give if you want to and can afford it.  
There was a guy outside Walmart with a dog and I gave him a bag of dog treats which he seemed to genuinely appreciate.  
I think giving makes us feel good and after all, is it so much different than buying coffee for a perfect stranger in the Tim's drive thru? (You know they can afford to buy it themselves).

Miss Moxley said "My Fiance and I were sitting in our car in the parking lot of Walmart yesterday when a man came up to the drivers side window saying he was homeless and asking for change. Gave me quite a fright.     There was also a young lady standing on the corner leaving the corral center, she had a sign but I didn't get the chance to read it while pulling out. Fiance remarked how she had nicer clothes then me, but I don't think you can judge how well off someone is by what they wear, I found plenty a good deal at Value Village myself.     The corner seems like a popular place for panhandling. A few weeks back saw a guy there with a sign saying "Not on Crack." It got a chuckle out of our car. "

the girl on the corner had a sign that said traveling east, anything helps and yes she looked young, clean, and maybe out for an adventure or maybe just the group of them thought she might have better luck pulling on peoples heart strings, either way my thoughts are that if she wants to travel she should work and save up, not beg

There's a group of them hanging around the corral centre lately. Seems like a more common thing once summer comes... lots of people travelling through.

What a horrible reason to donate...