How many bums hit you up every day for coin?

audiobliss

Well, that sounds like fun!

bobman1235

McLoki wrote:

My mom said no, but since she is heading into a grocery store, she will be glad to purchase them some bread and peanut butter so they can at least eat something. The deperate homless womens comeback was "My children prefer McDonalds".

Sometimes you just have to wonder about people.

I stopped wondering a long time ago, and just stuck with preconceived notions instead. It's served me well.

BottomFeeder

I don't get hit up as often as some of you, but I usually try to give at least something. Not always just for them, but for me, too. Though people will abuse generosity, I want to do what I can to remain generous. I've found that if I never give, my heart closes up, even when it should be open, like when a need is real.

I know, "but by giving you're encouraging panhandling." I know. There's a balance somewhere & I guess I'm just trying to get there. If I give to everyone, I get taken advantage of. But if I give to no one, my heart grows hard, and I think that's even worse.

Either way, taint easy!

MacLeod

Downtown Chattanooga is getting really bad about bums these days.

I deliver kegs for a living so I tend to get annoyed when Im out there working my **** off in the heat/cold/rain and some bum asks for money. I usually tell them "I work too hard for my money to just give it away".

McLoki

BottomFeeder wrote:

Though people will abuse generosity, I want to do what I can to remain generous. I've found that if I never give, my heart closes up, even when it should be open, like when a need is real.

I know, "but by giving you're encouraging panhandling." I know. There's a balance somewhere & I guess I'm just trying to get there. If I give to everyone, I get taken advantage of. But if I give to no one, my heart grows hard, and I think that's even worse.

So give to your church or a homeless shelter. If someone asks for money, just direct them to the charity of your choice and offer the fact that if they need help, they will get it there.

I consider panhandlers (in most cases) as taking money and charity away from the people who really need it. Assuming you would give some amount of extra money to a charity of some sort and what you give to the panhandlers takes away from that contribution.

Michael

BottomFeeder

McLoki wrote:

So give to your church or a homeless shelter. If someone asks for money, just direct them to the charity of your choice and offer the fact that if they need help, they will get it there.

I consider panhandlers (in most cases) as taking money and charity away from the people who really need it. Assuming you would give some amount of extra money to a charity of some sort and what you give to the panhandlers takes away from that contribution.

Michael

Yup, I do that. We have a food bank and benevolence fund for people in hard times as well. & Our church gives lots away. Handing something - almost anything - to these folks just gets it to a more personal level for me. Giving to shelters and churches is a great way to get help into people's hands, but something deeper happens in me when it comes from MY hand & goes straight into theirs.

hearingimpared

BottomFeeder wrote:

I don't get hit up as often as some of you, but I usually try to give at least something. Not always just for them, but for me, too. Though people will abuse generosity, I want to do what I can to remain generous. I've found that if I never give, my heart closes up, even when it should be open, like when a need is real.

I know, "but by giving you're encouraging panhandling." I know. There's a balance somewhere & I guess I'm just trying to get there. If I give to everyone, I get taken advantage of. But if I give to no one, my heart grows hard, and I think that's even worse.

Either way, taint easy!

I wrestle with the same thoughts.:)