Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Homeless Folks
The other day I was pulling out of our local grocery and saw a clean, cut 'homeless' young man...I handed him a ten and drove away. Someone told me that he probably went out and bought beer and cigarettes with it. Made me start thinking afterall I keep asking each grocery store that I patronize if they have gift cards that prohibit alcohol or tobbaco products. Nope...that would be 'discrimination!' What the hell...I would gladly donate a card if I was assured that the recipient could not purchase booze or tobacco products. Am I being unreasonable? To me, these are not the necessities of life...
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Yes, it would be nice to have some way to guarantee that they don't spend it on booze or smokes, or even that they're in need. Nowadays many people are hurting, but in the past some people have made a living from panhandling.
I can't afford to give the less fortunate money, but when I could, I figured it was a true gift and therefore theirs, so they're entitled to do what they wish with it. Of course, I wouldn't give money to someone who was drunk.
I was approached in a K-Mart parking lot a few weeks ago by a woman in a car who started to say something about having left her wallet at home, but I just cut her off. You don't drive around parking lots looking for likely people to drive up to, burning gas, when you have no money. Afterwards, I regretted not grabbing my camera and getting a photo of her and the license plate.
I was at the laundromat and a young boy asked to borrow some quarters because he didn't have enough $$ for the bus ride home. Needless to say I fell for it. Later when I was leaving I saw him leaving the store next to the laundromat eating a bag of chips. So much for being Ms Nice Guy.
Beejay: Actually the fact you gave this person the money was YOUR intent to help him. A far as your concern as to how he uses it, you will never know but, in your HEART you feel you helped him. YOU were NOT the person that did NOTHING like the "concerned person." I KNOW you felt good about what you did. I also know the "Concerned" person attempted to change that feeling.
A much better approach would be to donate your money to a credible charity. It's not a good idea to give money to people on the streets. Even if there were such thing as a gift card that was good for only for the purchase of food, the beggar will always be able to find someone who will trade them cash for that card and you will still be responsible for providing that person the means to buy their alcohol. I know your heart is in the right place, but it's not the right thing to do.
After beeing mugged by a homeless man 20 years ago outside MATC in Milwaukee, I now only give to charities, not the person begging in a parkling lot.
I totally agree with anonymous. They will trade for whatever they want or feel they need. It is truly a shame.
Last year, at this same time of year, a woman knocked at my door, stating she was a neighbor and had a sick child. There was some mixup with her insurance and she needed $15.00 to pick up a prescription from Walgreens.
I didn't recognize her and she was vague about where exactly she lived. I told her I couldn't help her. I spoke to one of the police officers at school and he said this is a scam. They knew about it.
Another person I know told me she bought some peanut butter and some groceries and tried to give it to someone outside of a store with a sign. They refused the food....
A charity that gives to those in need is a much, much better option. If people don't give to those on the streets with signs, they will have to choose better options of getting the help they need. It seems cold, but it is actually better.
In Portland, OR a local charity had a program where you could purchase food vouchers to give to the homeless. The program worked well and i think is still being offered. Of course this takes co-operation amoung stores, charities and the public. Not sure if a program like this would work in Racine and it's "I've got mine" mentality.
A few years back down by the boat ramp downtown I ran into one who wanted $5.00 for something to eat.
I took him over to the concession stand and told him I would buy him a hotdog and a soda. He thought it over and agreed. I made him sit there and eat it then i gave him the change from the five.
My idea was to donate the card to the Homeless Coalition of Port Charlotte....and they in turn could give out the card to a needy family.
Guess I am a bit out of touch or maybe an 'easy touch.' I want to find the goodness in our fellow man, but so often you hear stories like kk related or Sassa....
Lately, I've been purchasing bags of groceries that are donated...then I found out they are going to a food bank in Ft Myers...not even staying in our county....craziness in my opinion for our local merchants to send our donations out of the county.
Guess I'll call the Pt Charlotte Homeless Coalition and see what they can tell me.....
Beejay: Some of us have NEVER met. Doesn't that mean we are talking to strangers? Shame, Shame.
The thing about charities is I want the $$ to go to the people..not some secretary or flyers and mailings. Often you hear of someone abusing the charities by taking the $$.There is a list of charities and the percent of $$ donated to that actually used. Still I would rather give someone $$ in their hand when I know they are in need.
There is a certain intersection here that everytime I go by, someone is standing there with a sign needing money. "Out of work, need help for my family". Except right across the St. is a Buy for Less Grocery store which is always hiring. Some people would rather stand there with a sign all day begging for money rather than working. Sad really.
I have no problem helping people; the problem I have is helping people who will not help themselves.
South Park: Night of the Living Homeless
Administration costs kill me. Some of the charities out there, their administration costs are as high as 20%, well that (to me) is total bullshit.
The American Red Cross took in $3.2 billion dollars in 2008 and their cost was 6%. I still will not donate to them because of the crap they pulled during Katrina. They collected million and millions but when it come to paying out they had more excuses then Carter has Little Liver pills!
BUT, they did fire the woman who was in charge of the Red Cross! Which made me grin!
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