Do y'all give to street beggars at major traffic intersections?

I usually don't. Sometimes, if they've got a kid with them, I might. But I usually prefer to try and give granola bars, or something else. There was a time when I had acquired a bunch of leftover MREs from a couple field ops. I knew where all the homeless were hanging, so I would drive by and give them out here and there. They really liked those.

Honestly, I don't want to sound judgy, but sometimes I wonder. Like for a man to have to beg for money has to take a lot. Maybe they're at their end, trying to just support their family. Maybe they have tried to get a job, and just can't support themselves. I've met uber drivers that sleep in their cars at night.

But then again, a lot of men today aren't what they used to be. Some people do legit just pan handle because they're lazy. Others do it to feed addiction.

It's a tough call.

I try and do. Sadly, I can't always fish out my billfold or I'm in the wrong lane. Gave one my umbrella once, when it was pouring rain. Wish I could say, I do it EVERYTIME.

I don't because I give to organizations like Salvation Army where I think they can better help the people than my money directly to them. The city here put up a sign near where panhandlers hang out saying to not give to them but where to look up organizations.

My dad does despite the advice because he says the Bible says to give to the poor.

There always seem to be some hanging around our local grocery store. I never give money but buying a sandwich and milk is generally a good option

I gave a guy some money the other day at Wurzbach and I-10. Probably a better idea to get some extra nuts or granola bars at HEB and keep them in the car with me all the time. Of course, the danger with that is that I will eat them instead!

Bird Poo said:

---

My neighbor works for a group that provides mobile showers, food, and support to the homeless. She's adamant that you should never give money to a homeless person (she's also a practicing Catholic). There are so many healthy resources available to these people, but they choose to feed their addictions instead.

I wish everyone could have similar conversations with people that work with these folks every day. Our sympathies are supporting homelessness and drug addictions, and to think otherwise is nave. Give them food or clothes, but do NOT give them money.

---

Tend to agree with your neighbor but sometimes the Spirit moves me to give.

Anyone that has any association with homeless ministries will tell you do not give them money.
There are countless places to go. They chose to live on the streets because that is where they can continue their addiction. I know you mean well but you are an enabler in the truest sense.

The poor will always be with us. So the point is not really them, it is about you. How does that song go? What so ever you do to the least of these...

There are plenty of places for the find food in Austin. There are 60+ food pantries in the Austin area. They don't want food, they want your money.

A while back, one of the news stations reported that it is estimated approximately 90% of the people on the street corners are either drug addicts or alcoholics.

It's the only reason I carry cash these days. Someone asks, I help. As said above, it's not about their intentions; it's about mine. And yes, the amount and frequency of cash is a small fraction of the support I already give to homeless shelters.

I get the comments about enabling, but I hardly think giving $10 to someone I see once in my lifetime is going to singlehandedly allow them to continue a life of decadence or addiction

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

Quote:

---

So the point is not really them, it is about you.

---

Yes, they are selling feel-goods and you're buying it.

---

Doesn't Matthew 25 weight heavily on you in these situations?

Mat 25:44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Cumulative behaviors matter. A thousand people like you and you've just enabled that guys negative behaviors.

That goes for most small acts of kindness or selfishness. If I litter one cup is it really that big a deal? No. But it doesn't take too many people with that attitude to make a huge mess.

Similarly your donations to actual charities while larger is still probably relatively small. But a thousand people like you giving and there is real power to help.

This is a one of those situations where I think a tender heart really can influence negative societal results.

A more extreme example is the effect of removing camping laws in many major cities particularly on the west coast.

This isn't me being condemning by the way, a world with too many kind hearted people is a problem I'd gladly trade for.

Be kind, give freely, just not cash.

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

ramblin_ag02 said:

---

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

Quote:

---

So the point is not really them, it is about you.

---

Yes, they are selling feel-goods and you're buying it.

---

Doesn't Matthew 25 weight heavily on you in these situations?

Mat 25:44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

---

Are we talking about people in need or panhandlers?

---

People in need of course, but how can you be sure that you know the difference?

Sometimes I carry around grocery store gift cards just for this purpose.

I'm not close to homeless anymore. But when I was, i would
walk into the gas station and buy a cheap gallon of water and give them that.

ramblin_ag02 said:

---

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

ramblin_ag02 said:

---

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

Quote:

---

So the point is not really them, it is about you.

---

Yes, they are selling feel-goods and you're buying it.

---

Doesn't Matthew 25 weight heavily on you in these situations?

Mat 25:44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

---

Are we talking about people in need or panhandlers?

---

People in need of course, but how can you be sure that you know the difference?

---

Because I live in a city that provides those immediate needs through various charity and government resources. The help they need I can't provide without kidnapping them. I know from experience (working at a charity) that handing panhandlers money hurts them both physically and psychologically.

Would you pay for gas if a person left their wallet at home and asked for $10? I would. Or a similar situation at a grocery store? I would again. So if a person on the street asks me for $10 I will do the same. Anything else would be me trying to judge those people to determine who was "worthy" or "really needed it", and I'm too dumb to do that accurately. Better in my mind to let the rain fall on the just and unjust alike

I am a little skeptical of the homeless man's story as well.

Thaddeus73 said:

---

Do y'all give to street beggars at major traffic intersections?

---

I do not and I don't feel the need to.

Part of the reasoning for it is that I don't know that they are actually in need. My job is one that literally anyone on the street can be hired to do and it makes even the worst agents 50,000-100,000 per year. Because of that, I'm usually busting my tail and when I see these folks, I'm usually in a hurry trying to do my job. It chaps my hide to have them shake a sign or flick a jar at me while I'm working for my money. The idea that I should stop and give them my hard earned money from a job they could be doing doesn't sit well with me, as such, I don't give anything. The few that I have actually given the time of day to seem disinterested in my business card or discussion of how to fix their situation. My opinion based on personal experience and those who work with homeless are that Most homeless are homeless because they want to be homeless. My interaction with them has supported that argument several times.

We give a ton of money, time, and resources to the local animal shelter though. This is a cause that I can be entwined in and see exactly where my money goes. I can see exactly how it impacts those that are truly in need with zero alternative options for life and health. So, that's where we give. I think everyone should give where they feel pulled to give.

We have some beggars near our Catholic Church. they say not to give them money. They say to send them to the Church and the church can provide for them. Services are available.

And then there are the "teams" asking us to "Fill the Boot" or "Save the ________" at major intersections. How do I know where the money goes once I stuff it in the boot?

Hebrews 13:2 comes to mind in this conversation. Makes me think of the end of Bruce Almighty.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKMgrbOBJ2u7yEvKSzQ2DH7YRpaCYOqqTGe0-CWDok_DL533vQF28EnwaBFhrhbBshGvU&usqp=CAU

Seamaster said:

---

My kids make these homeless bags that we give out when we have them. They have basic toiletries, socks and usually a Whataburger or McDs gift card in them.

Cash, I won't give because I know that 99% of the time the cash is going to feed whatever addiction put them in their predicament.

The other day I was in New Orleans early in the morning walking to get a cup of coffee and this obvious homeless guy approached me and I instinctively said "no" because I was sure he was going to ask for cash but he said, "Man, all I want is a cup of coffee." So I offered to get him one. He came into Starbucks with me and I bought him a coffee.

He then started this long story about he's stuck in New Orleans because he was robbed and the police won't help and Western Union doesn't work etc etc. So I said, "Good luck man" and left.

I don't mind buying a hungry person food or sustenance. But don't lie to me.

---

Homeless bags (toothbrush, toothpaste, water, small snacks, etc.), was our family's alternative to cash. We then saw someone post some local pictures of similar unused items (including the food) littered around the panhandling areas. We no longer do this and I feel conflicted.

My exception now is for the truly crazyI will try to buy them food.

J-Licious said:

---

Seamaster said:

---

My kids make these homeless bags that we give out when we have them. They have basic toiletries, socks and usually a Whataburger or McDs gift card in them.

Cash, I won't give because I know that 99% of the time the cash is going to feed whatever addiction put them in their predicament.

The other day I was in New Orleans early in the morning walking to get a cup of coffee and this obvious homeless guy approached me and I instinctively said "no" because I was sure he was going to ask for cash but he said, "Man, all I want is a cup of coffee." So I offered to get him one. He came into Starbucks with me and I bought him a coffee.

He then started this long story about he's stuck in New Orleans because he was robbed and the police won't help and Western Union doesn't work etc etc. So I said, "Good luck man" and left.

I don't mind buying a hungry person food or sustenance. But don't lie to me.

---

Homeless bags (toothbrush, toothpaste, water, small snacks, etc.), was our family's alternative to cash. We then saw someone post some local pictures of similar unused items (including the food) littered around the panhandling areas. We no longer do this and I feel conflicted.

My exception now is for the truly crazyI will try to buy them food.

---

You can't help people who don't want it.

My mom worked with addicts in recovery for a few years and her experience was that the only people who are homeless for any length of time are people who want to be homeless, and would rather do drugs than anything else, or they are people who are real schizophrenics and basically can't function in society.

Anyone who doesn't want to be homeless won't be for more than a few weeks or months according to her. There are enough programs to aid and get people in need off the streets, all that is left is addicts and the crazies. And the addicts are 90%+.

And as for being victims of addiction, her opinion from working with addicts and in recovery is that the large majority of them don't want to be sober. They like the lifestyle and they abuse the system to maintain it. They take advantage of help when it suits them but ultimately they just want to get high.

Also, for addicts that really do want to get clean, they'll be sober for chunks at a time but might have numerous relapses. Addiction is forever it seems.

And finally, her experience also was that alcoholism was among the worst, one of the hardest to overcome. Not sure if it's alcohol the substance, or just the ease and abundance in todays society making sobriety harder.

The reality is that the chronically homeless choose to be so, and a small percentage of them are schizophrenics without care since they can't be institutionalized against their will. Although decades ago schizophrenics were institutionalized against their will.

No. I buy them food or sometimes goods that they ask for within reason

If I encounter them outside a target or whatever, I've taken them inside the store shopping. Again, within reason

To the posters that say it's not about the homeless guy's needs, but about the intent of the giver, I do not agree with that …. At all. That's a weird way of looking at it, IMO. Seems like pride to me. ALOT like pride, in fact

But, it's your money