19 Answers

I would maybe walk on by instead of becoming a potential target for a stranger!Unless you are a karate expert...? I had to call my dad to come rescue me from a phone booth that a well known "homeless" guy had pursued me into establishing as a safe haven! Then we called the coppers who had one heck of a time with him...I was told to never ever give a "homeless" guy money again! I do have exceptions however...if a person is holding a sign saying they want to work? I have no problem sliding them a fiver for a gutbomb and coffee! Peace.

That was very kind of you shadow girl. I would go to the nearest restaurant and buy him a meal and coffee. Unfortunately many people are homeless because of addiction. By giving him money, he might run to the nearest liquor store or buy drugs. I want to specify, not all homeless people have an addiction some are just down on theire luck..

If a person is panhandling for money, I do not automatically assume that he/she is homeless.  I can't know that for sure.  What I have heard from some of our local social workers, is that most who are begging for money, do not need to be doing that and very often that money is used to "feed an addiction". 

At a time in the past, when I was in serious financial distress over a period of a few years, I never asked anyone for money.....ever!  I just did without things, that a lot of people consider to be a "normal expediture".  It's difficult to live that way but not impossible.

I see them all the time, as sad as their situation is, some do prefer to live on the streets, here in Australia we have plenty of shelters for the homeless, they might stay a night or two but they are back on the street in no time.They seem to have survival instincts.

Having been there myself, I would say "Good-Day to ya" and keep on going. Recognizing a person as a person is a benefit in itself............

Shadowgirl- sadly, most homeless people will spend the $ on drugs or cheap booze... I spent a long time going to school, living, and working in the poorest areas of the city...I handed out crackers (the packages of cheese crackers with peanut butter), water on hot days, scarves and mittens, and apples (big mistake one of the guys chucked one at my car leaving a dent!)..and the ones that lived near me I would take to a fast food place once in a while- well actually I did this with a total stranger in another city...he looked awful- anyway, most seemed to appreciate the food and water and clothes- not all but most. {I bought the crackers and water at Sam's Club and kept it in my car}.

I would give them the addresses of all the kind people on Qand A ,with a spare bedroom,and a few spare dollars ,to buy some food,

Ask him nicely to move over and sit with him/her and give em my time it's one thing you can give yet never get back..yet the rewards are eternal.

We have a lot of homeless people in the UK, if I see them I usually give them a pound for a tea or coffee. It shouldn't be happening in this day and age.

Giving money may make YOU feel better but it does nothing to the homeless.

one day a homeless person came up to me and asked for money to buy food... instead i offered the guy some of the left over chicken that i had with me at the time... he said no thanks and walked off! i never give money to homeless people because most of the time they never use it for buying food, instead they buy drug, alcohol, etc...

I would give him a days work pay him feed him send him on his way  and I would feel ok if he did not rip me off 

Walk on by. I don't want to be mugged. There are people to look after those, dudes.

Sadly you`ll see many along the way:-¬..I agree..watch out for your own safety..but kind of you to stop and give money!...I used to give them cash sometimes..but a lot of them will spend it on drugs and alcohol....which I can understand because they are already  in such a bad place..Now Sometimes I`ll give them sandwiches or something from a local shop...Alcohol isn`t helping them especially in winter when the temperature drops,they are more prone to alcohol induced hypothermia and end up very sick!:-¬...I never give to any of  them who sit by cash machines..and you often learn to read who is a genuine case....many are not!:-¬..A lot who come into A/E we try to help them with hostels etc...but it`s hard as they often shun the help!...PLEASE BE CAREFUL!;-)

all good wishes,Millie xx

If someone was down and out and living on the street, I would not feel right simply ignoring them and walking by. Regardless of an addiction or not, I would feel sorry for them to have let that addiction to have dragged them down to that level of existence. I would make sure they had enough to make the choice to eat or not.

Your heart is in the right place Shadow but be careful.Approaching someboby like that when you are alone has potential danger.A very great many of the homeless people in our society are homeless because they choose to be.many of them are not looking for hand outs,they just want to be invisible.

I get a little upset with the people who I see on the same corner every day with the signs (where did they get the Sharpies?).  There are multiple services available for people, and to not utilize those FREE services makes me wonder WHY you are choosing to sit and beg.  I'm on my way to get some help finding a job;  you are two blocks away from the same opportunity (and more, because your immediate need is greater than mine).  
I do not give money since the time I watched the guy go straight over to a sinister-looking character, hand him the money and get a tiny parcel in exchange.  You hungry?  I'll buy you a burger, fries, and something to drink. Last guy I offered a meal to asked for just two little burgers....one for him and one for his dog.
I don't like that I don't feel differently; my eldest son is in that situation and I don't have much sympathy for him.  Choices and circumstances....how do I know what happened to you. I just don't think anyone needs to sit idly and beg.  

Ducky

Well said.

There are many homeless people, and I was approached recently by a woman asking for money to feed her children, I asked her to wait and went into the supermarket, spent some money on basic food items returned and gave them to her, she looked shocked and dissapointed, I know she wanted the money for drugs

Donate to a local organization. Like Digger said, "Giving money doesn't do any good" 

Giving money makes the giver feel better.