Should You Give A Homeless Person Money?

Before I became homeless myself I looked down on those who begged on the streets, when I lived back home and people who were crippled, deformed or homeless in one way or another would come up to our car and beg for money, I would think to myself : how dare they come up to me, can’t they find a job and I hate looking at them because they make me feel bad.

This is how most of the world thinks.

By John Waire

Whenever I see a person sitting in the street with a collection tin, I see the same uncomfortable looks on individual passers by wondering whether to give or not.

And I also see those who do make an effort to give food get offended when the homeless person isn’t as enthusiastic as they would have hoped.

You see we struggle with this question because we think that almost every homeless person is an addict. Addicted to drugs, alcohol, money or issues. And they are homeless because they have an inability to look after themselves. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Yes there are addicts but no one ever chooses to be homeless.

If you ask anyone who lives on the street if they want a job they would say yes.

Homeless people want to be a part of society but society/life has not been fair to them.

If you are struggling with this question and can’t decide if you can’t give because you are worried they are going to spend it on drugs.

Then don’t give.

Simple as that.

No one has forced you to give and if you can still decide to judge somebody without knowing who they are or the circumstances that led up to their situation then don’t waste your time.

I decided that when I give money to a homeless person or anybody who asks, it is a gift. So when I give it to them it is no longer mine but theirs.

by marcinmoga/lolek

And when I give a gift to my friends for Christmas or birthdays I don’t tell them what to do with it or what to buy with it because it is no longer mine.

And so when I give to the homeless, I am not their parent or guardian to make that judgment and assume that they are going to use it for something else. And even if they do, so what? If you are so concerned about them not doing drugs or consuming alcohol then why not pay for their rehabilitation or take them to counseling, speak to them about their situation rather than ignoring their presence and forgetting they are human beings

So please remember this the next time you see them. You have no obligation to give but if you do give you have no right to judge.

Thanks and hope you have a good day and create a life that you can be proud of.

Yours Homeless Girl.

p.s I am in no way perfect because there are times I don’t want to give money to homeless people but I don’t decide not to give because I’m worried how they will spend it.

Author name:: homelessgirl

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http://zairejungle.wordpress.com Y

Reading this made me feel bad! I do get uncomfortable when I walk past homeless people. If I have water or food I try and give to them. I will try and make more of an effort next time. I usually dont give money but when I do I dont judge.
MotherLodeBeth

You note ‘but no one ever chooses to be homeless’. I disagree. When I look back on how close I came to being homeless I know had I made better choices earlier that I would not have been on the brink of being without a place to live. Thus it was a choice for me.

You then note ‘And when I give a gift to my friends for Christmas or birthdays I don’t tell them what to do with it or what to buy with it because it is no longer mine’. Which is true. But when I give a gift I also give great thought to if its a healthy gift or one that I am giving simply to make myself look good. Had a young neighbor who drank a lot. Great guy in so many ways, but I would never give him a money gift. I would give gift certificates to a grocery store which only allowed for food, bath items etc. No tobacco or alcohol.

Also wanted to share that we raised our son to always look at the homeless person and not away. They are not invisible to us. Here in the Sierras we have hermits whom we know, who come to the store once a month or every three months. Some of the best people we have ever known.

In San Francisco we have given money to a few whom we have gotten to know over the years. And a few whom we have gotten to know simply needed an affordable place to live. So we worked with friends and got them a clean room they could afford in someones home.

~Beth~

http://superhomeless.wordpress.com/ homelessgirl

But Beth you made mistakes which could have let you to being homeless but you didn’t choose to be homeless.

I made mistakes too but I didn’t choose to not pay my bills and get my house taken away and sleep on the street

http://gameboycolourless.wordpress.com gameboycolourless

HONESTLY! You encourage me to help the homeless in Toronto, thanks to you I’m thinking of ways to take action, you are in my prayers

http://superhomeless.wordpress.com/ homelessgirl

Thank you so much for putting action to words

kathy

hi HG,

i just need to know if they’re for real or not. i’ve helped people when i could that appeared to be in need. but also many people around where i am are commiting a scam. they make more money than the business men who wear expensive suits. it’s a tough call.

i’ve heard in our area not to help people that beg cause there are places they can go for help if they are truly in need. the ones that we see by the road are trying to make fast money.

i want to do what i can. often i don’t have anything, and sometimes i’m really afraid if it’s a man. if i could just KNOW who is for real it would help.
http://elliottwrites.blogspot.com Elliott

Homeless girl,

This is great. I love the idea of a gift being just that – a “gift.” We never know what someone is going to do with it nor can we judge.

I remember going to a conference and hearing the following point of view attributed to an ancient Jewish scholar:

“Some say that if 100 people ask for help, and even 1 will take advantage of your kindness, then it is better to give to nobody. I say that if I give to 100 people who have asked for help, and 99 take advantage of me, that it was worth it to help the one person who really needed it.”

You don’t know if someone is going to buy booze or drugs or whatever – or if the $5.00 you give them helps them get out of town, or in a shelter, or helps their kid avoid starvation for one more day, or helps them turn their entire life around. I think it’s worth giving people the benefit of the doubt most of the time.

Grace & peace,
Elliott

http://superhomeless.wordpress.com/ homelessgirl

I love the quote!

MotherLodeBeth

Have actually been thinking about this issue as I have been working outside, cleaning etc. Found myself asking myself how I feel when someone gives me something when I know I dont really deserve it. How I have over time told people no thank you because what they give is often something I neither need much less want. I say this because I live a simple non materialistic life.

Then I thought about the hermits and the 2 homeless folks I know and how they have educated me, just by me listening, when it comes to needs they have. Which are not that many. Usually just a desire to be able to wash clothes, shower, and have their sleeping bag washed weekly.

They have also educated me on how to be safe around certian homeless people.

~Beth~
http://twitter.com/morsemusings Dawn

The homeless are the strongest souls I have ever met on this planet. How I wish others might suspend judgement long enough to hear their beautiful stories and heartfelt dreams.

Thank you for writing this post.
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http://slohomeless.wordpress.com - michael -

“p.s I am in no way perfect because there are times I don’t want to give money to homeless people but I don’t decide not to give because I’m worried how they will spend it.”

Generally, when I’m asked by folks who’ve never experienced homelessness whether or not they should give money directly to a homeless person, my response is: Let your heart be your guide.

Additionally, here in the U.S., a person can purchase pre-paid food cards at most fast food restaurants. So, I tell those folks who would like to give (but don’t because they’re worried that the homeless will use the money for drugs/alcohol) that food cards are a viable alternative way of helping.

Great post, BTW.
http://Www.lailaniali.blogspot.com Lailani

Homeless or not, sometimes people need help. Or a 40oz. Either way, I don’t feel any guilt when I part with a few spare dollars crumpled in my pocket every now and then. I’m not going broke from it and it may just make someone’s day.
Thanks for this post.
http://hardlynormal.com Mark

I love this post.

truly awesome!
kim

Thanks for sharing! Really great post!!
Mich

Working at a homeless recovery shelter for addicts has shown me that YES, people do choose to be homeless. You’ve obviously never been to San Francisco. Many addicts choose to be homeless so they can support their habit full-time by living off the scraps and coins of others.
Mich

I don’t mean to sound like a jerk, but I’ve struggled with this for a long time since I see SO many homeless people here and I can’t help them all. I’ve decided to dedicate time and resources to the ones who want to change. Why should I even give a homeless drug addict food when that is enabling them to continue the habit and spend $$ on drugs?
Jen

Love this! Thank you!
MotherLodeBeth

Mich you said ‘Working at a homeless recovery shelter for addicts has shown me that YES, people do choose to be homeless. You’ve obviously never been to San Francisco. Many addicts choose to be homeless so they can support their habit full-time by living off the scraps and coins of others’.

What percentage of SF homeless are choosing that lifestyle and how many are disabled Vets, mentally challenged, or families? And with this economy areas of CA who never had homeless now do. Sure there will be some who choose to live off handouts, but I wonder what percentage. And lets not forget the BILLIONS in hand outs the government has given big business.
http://www.alaskashomelesscrisis.com homelessadvocate

I worked with the homeless for many years in Anchorage Alaska, and your right, you bring some very valid points. alot of homeless do not drink or use drugs. however alot are able boddied and could easily hold down a small Job, I have seen it both ways, people that are given money go right into the liquor store and buy a bottle as soon as they accumulate enough money, I have also seen them go buy a meal or a room somewhere. you can’t judge what they are going to use the money for in a split second when you are appraoched. Do I give money to panhandlers or homeless ? once in a great while I do. But I have seen to much to often. And contarary to what some people think, alot of people are homeless by choice or actions. I have seen it in the streets of Anchorage, homeless that are not mentally impaired, not alchoholics or drug addicts but simply choose to exist and live day to day in the streets not even trying to change that life style, they like it. every case is diffrent, everyones story is diffrent, I judge nobody but am here to just state the truth and facts. it’s a personal decision to give the homeless money, its your money and you can do with it as you like. I have no opinion on this matter because it’s none of my buisness what people do with there money. one of the other bloggers wrote that someone was less than happy when the person was offered food instead of money, I have seen that plenty of times and have also seen where they were offered a job but CHOOSE instead to panhandle on the street corner. I also have an issue with them being allowed to panhandle in traffic for several reasons. their saftey, and the publics privacy and feeling of well being, Does it scare some women and children when they pull up to a traffic light and a not so well groomed person approaches thier vehicle ? Are street people dangerouse ? not most of them, I worked on the buisiest ambulance in the nation that dealt primarily with the homelss and the skid road inebriate. I ran 20 to 40 calls per 8 hr shift for years, I became an expert in the field of alcoholism and the homelss. the bottom line is they are people also, a part of the human race and deserve the basics onlyh if they are not able to provide for themself. how do we seperate the ones that truly can’t from the ones that are just lazy and don’t want to change, don’t want to work, but live off the system and peoples handouts. it’s an age old problem that nobody can solve. Because as long as there is free will wich all people have then the homeless will always exsist. Sure there are people that became homeless because of thier addictions, but it can happen to any of us, if your a functioning borderline alchoholic and life deals you some bad cards as it does from time to time, it’s alot easier to spiral down hill and become homeless. If your wife or husband and all your kids get killed in an accident and you have no support system, not a very strong family affilliation, you can easilly become mentally unstable, lose your job and become destitute and homeless, these stories play out all across the nation, different stories, different people and different reasons why people become homeless. I am simply offering food for thought as to why you should or shouldn’t consider giving money to the homeless. John Shedler author of : A Sow Death In the Streets, the untold story of Alaska’s homeless. alaskashomelesscrisis.com
http://georgesong.wordpress.com georgesong

even to this day, i will forever remember the lyrics to the steven curtis chapman song “heartbeat of heaven” (http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/steven_curtis_chapman/heartbeat_of_heaven.html)
“I pulled up to the stop sign and I saw him standing there,
The cardboard sign he held said he was hungry.
I looked the other way and waited for the light to change,
As if to say, I’d help but I’m in such a hurry.
These are the moments of truth…
What would love have me do?”

http://superhomeless.wordpress.com/ homelessgirl

that’s a beautiful song

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wendy

Dearest Homeless Girl,
You are a good person with a big heart. You are right on! What you are saying is true♥Peace-Wendy
julia vance probst

I always give panhandlers money. I even keep little bags of change in the floor of my car for just that purpose. I was put out of my home by vindictive creepy people whom most likely got a promotion in their worthless law enforcement jobs. But that job will not be there if one keeps trashing people. It gets noticed.

I am still homeless, not by choice, but by corruption of Malheur County Oregon’s “baker act’ laws and Judge Terry Thompson whom makes at least five hundred bucks each for every retard he harrasses in his municipal retard court. NOT LYING real corruption worse than the Jersey shores.

Oregon home sweet homeless.
julia vance probst

oh and thoes other comments I saw, Tammerack and Joyce Rodebaugh you and Holly houston from Mccall idaho should be ashamed of yourselves. I hope you rape me It would be another in a long line of injustices. I don’t understand the burning part? like as in rolling me in plastic wrap? doucing me… well not welcomed.
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http://twitter.com/CristianIsDaMan Cristian Gonzales

Tough call. I do feel it should be left at people’s discretion.

There’s plenty of people who are homeless that I encounter in San Francisco where I feel like has just been crap to them, they’ve had a string of unfortunate events, and it’s been tough for them to get back on their feet and can use all the help and sympathy they can get.

However, for others, they are obvious drug addicts and drunks who refuse to get any sort of help and feel like the world “owes” them for their suffering. I remember seeing a great special on PBS about the homeless kids in San Francisco. One of them ended up making $100+ in a day begging in the more suburban areas of the East Bay. Did they get themselves food? Or did they use it to get MUNI or BART fare to travel to some social service program that could assist them in getting back on their feet? Nope. They spent it on a GUITAR for their boyfriend. I mean, how insane and ridiculous does that sound?

I think it should be up to each individual to either give or not give, depending on the individual, the situation, and whether they can or cannot.
Jon

I am so glad to hear this perspective. I have many friends that don’t give money because fear they will spend it on drugs. I always keep $1s in my car for homeless. The way I figure it is if I were in that position I would want someone to help me out (do unto others as you want them to do u to you) and I would hate it if people didn’t help me out because someone else ruined it for me (being on drugs).

Plus who am I to judge where they spend their money. We’ ve all made bad or unwise money choices – hopefully we don’t have people leaning over our shoulder criticizing us.
Bob Dunn

Great post! The only time I don’t think about giving someone money, is if they are very aggressive.

Otherwise, if I’m able to, I will. I really don’t care what they spend it on, if it makes their life and situation more tolerable.
http://www.thehomelessgirl.com homelessgirl

Jon, I totally agree “The way I figure it is if I were in that position I would want someone to help me out (do unto others as you want them to do u to you) and I would hate it if people didn’t help me out because someone else ruined it for me (being on drugs).” /// Beautifully said
http://www.thehomelessgirl.com homelessgirl

Bob- thats great. Sadly very few people agree with you.

But I think that in a lot of the cases, if they are aggressive then surely it means they are desperate.
Tom

Interesting, and challenging.

Each person must do what they feel is right; what their hearts tell them to do.

My heart says giving cash risks perpetuating whatever problem is at the root of the person’s homelessness. Maybe that problem is addiction. Or maybe the person is too proud or unmotivated or impaired to seek lasting help. It’s also entirely possible that the person has simply run headlong into an ugly streak of unspeakably awful luck that could happen to any of us.

You’re right that it’s not my place to judge. But the person IS asking for help.

So we each have a choice to make about whether or not we want to help, and what sort of help we want to give.

I don’t want to give “help” that risks contributing to the underlying problem that’s preventing the person from moving forward in his or her life.

But everyone needs to eat. I’m happy to feed anyone who asks, because that can only help. If the person isn’t hungry now, they can buy something they can eat later. I’ll also buy toiletries and that sort of thing. Lastly, I always treat the people I help with respect. I talk with them. I ask about their story, about their plans. I encourage them to make good choices and do the best they can in a rough situation.

All of us — regardless of our circumstances — are responsible for the choices we make. Who we are and what we become are the sum of those choices. That’s true whether you are the richest person on Earth, or the poorest.

My choice when I meet a person who asks for help is to give food and encouragement without judgment. I hope this is a good and kind choice.
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Not Homeless

You’re an idiot. The people that DO give are the ones entitled to judge. Just like with people collecting welfare. I should be able to question what they do with this charity, as it’s coming from my pocket. It’s sad to see all the bleeding hearts on here who are out of touch with reality. If you don’t want to be judged, don’t ask for help. Pretty simple.
Imissmyson2

I have always said when I give them money I hope they use it as they need it in that moment. Be it food, alcohol or drugs is not my concern. Whatever gets you through the night. I will always give with no strings attached. It is what a gift is after all.
http://twitter.com/lisa_sherrill Lisa Sherrill

thank you for sharing and reminding us that homeless people are PEOPLE too and to treat them with the respect you would anyone else.
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