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New LOW in cash request.

New LOW in cash request.

Yesterday I heard the LOWEST cash request ever for me.

A decently dressed lady asked for THIRTY CENTS.
She said that she only need that much more to buy a loaf of bread.
I did give her my loose change - more than the thirty cents but less than a dollar.

Was her request real? Maybe. Never know. BUT, everybody else wants a few bucks.

Bekeart
 
If you were scammed that happens. It is no sin to be a victim. You did a good deed and have nothing to be ashamed of. On the other hand the man you gave the money to will eventually have to answer to the Lord if he did scam you. Let it go.
 
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Watchdog,,
Well, you don't say where this happened, but I heard almost that exact same story a week or so ago as I was pumping gas, except the guy hadn't had a drink in ten years. He, too, was now homeless and hadn't eaten in two days and could I help him out?
Click to expand...

My encounter was at the Cracker Barrel in Roanoke Rapids NC. ;)
Currently relaxing in Myrtle Beach with an adult beverage.

I don't regret giving the gent money, did my good deed for the day? Did not display over abundance of cash just what I carry in my pocket which is about at the most $20. ;)
 
For me, I've only got a few moments to assess them-lying, telling the truth, something else?

If I think they are, or may be, telling the truth, really needing money, I give it to them.

Pretty simple and easy.

I don't want to be an enabler or be taken advantage of by a liar, but, more importantly, I don't want to fail to help someone in real need.

Bob
 
I went to India, for the first and so far only time, for a week in 2011 on business. I read up before I went, and the universal advice is to not give beggars money. Many are professionals, and, even if not, I read, there is no way you could give money to all the beggars who would flock to you once they realized you had given money to one of them.

I was stopped at an intersection. New Delhi, I think it was. A blisteringly hot day. By myself in the back seat of an air conditioned black limo. An emaciated woman with an emaciated baby in her arms came to my window and gently knocked on it. A beggar. After a glance, I refused to look at her. She stood there, with her hand out, as I, unmoving, stonily looked straight ahead. After what seemed a very long time, but was maybe 30 seconds, the light changed and we drove off.

I think of this scene, now and then, and I feel bad. What would it have cost me to slip a few bucks to her through a crack in the window? So what if she was a pro? She was emaciated, and being a pro, if she was, was how she earned her living, if it can be called that.

I am ashamed of my behavior.

I think it better to be wrong about this kind if thing, and be taken advantage of, than to develop and maintain a cold heart.
 
Even well known charities may not be the best place to donate your money. Read something lately where the head of the Red Cross makes $675,000 per year and The March of Dimes....one dime out of a dollar is about what actually makes it to the needy. There were several other charities that were badly rated and there were some with good reviews, but how do they audit the cash and really know how much was taken in?
 
I had a pastor and his wife walking behind me when a homeless guy asked for a few bucks so he could eat. I gladly gave him $5. As I walked with the pastor I said we all have been down and out in our lives at one time or another. How soon we forget. I hope he doesn't waste it on booze.

My dad told me during ww2 the Red Cross charged our soldiers for cigarettes while the Salvation Army gave them out for free. I always give to the Salvation Army.

If I give money out it maybe to st Jude.
 
As a rule, I never give money to panhandlers. They are all, without any exception, scamming well meaning people for money.

In some cities, they are well organized, work together, and make a lot of money. Territories and shifts are staked out, and there are sometimes fights over the areas.

They all have a sad story, and it's always some combination or variation of they need gas, they lost their wallet, they are trying to get get bus fare for their wife/children/mother. They need some money to buy new clothes for a job interview. They are staying at a nearby shelter, but need money for dinner.

Bajadoc is right. Give to legitimate charities. Your money will help people, not go to perpetuate someones drug or alcohol habit.

Every major, and some smaller, city has at least one homeless shelter. They aren't luxury, but they give people a place off the streets, a bed, shower, and a meal or two. All of them ban drugs or alcohol. People who can't follow the rules are the ones we see panhandling.

I know some will think that I'm harsh and unsympathetic. I'm not, I just know that panhandlers are running a scam on well meaning people. Don't fall for it.

Bajadoc said:
He went straight to the nearest liquor store or drug dealer. Give to legitimate vetted charities. Giving to people on the street perpetuates that individuals problem and encourages them to harass and scam other nice well-meaning people.
Click to expand...
 
I wish I knew if the beggars were lying/scamming or not. But since I don't, I give when I'm unsure.

As to the "legitimate charities," in VietNam, the Red Cross tried to charge us for their donuts, while the Salvation Army gave them away. I gave to the Salvation Army for many years (never to the Red Cross) but time and politics has ended that for me. I'll not go into the reasons at all.

I no longer give to the Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, but my reasoning might be thought political so I'll not say more.

The United Way used to push organizations, governmental or private to give and there was an attitude that one's organization ought to give a hundred percent. Our department pushed to have all officers give something-even a dollar per pay period just to have a hundred percent.

One fellow officer, many years ago, refused and eventually was railroaded into a suspension for his failure to give, though they called it insubordination or something similar.

The UW tried the same tactic, shame the organization into obtaining a hundred percent, when I worked for the State Attorney's Office. We just refused and after a few years, the UW went away. Then we got a card, annually, to check which organizations, if any, we'd like to give money to support. We had to turn the card back in, but there were no repercussions if we didn't check any Charity at all.

Wounded Warriors had a problem, they wanted no $ from Gun related organizations and paid their top dogs waaaaaaay too much. Finally got that straightened out, I think. Our trap club supports them with a big shoot every year (now).

We have a breast cancer shoot every year, but a couple of years ago the Komen people allegedly said they didn't want gun related money either (at least that was the story at the Club). Apparently that was somehow fixed and we still have the Shoot. Either it was never said by Komen or the Club found a way to give the money, but not through them.

So what legit charities should I give to-and how do I know my money really goes to someone in need?

We give money to our Missions Programs and give when there's a need brought up in our Church, but I'm pretty much done with the big charities.

Bob
 
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It's BAD!

BigBill said:
My dad told me during ww2 the Red Cross charged our soldiers for cigarettes while the Salvation Army gave them out for free. I always give to the Salvation Army.

My Father told me the same thing that during WW2 the Red Cross charged him for donuts, candy, and cigarettes that were donated back in the states...he would NEVER give anything to the Red Cross and I follow suit to that...NOTHING to the Red Cross...
Click to expand...
 
Bob, I believe that you are doing the right thing by giving through your church. I know that our Texas Baptist organizations are already underwritten on administrative cost by our un-designated cooperative gifts. Any gifts giving to specific needs, i.e Hunger, Disaster Relief, Medical missions, etc. deliver 100 cents on the dollar to the need.

I am reasonably confidant that other mainline church groups have a similar function.
 
So what legit charities should I give to-and how do I know my money really goes to someone in need?
Click to expand...

Locally I have two methods:

1) Purchase canned good and donate to the local food pantry.

2) Cash donation to the local soup kitchen; where I KNOW it will be used wisely.

Bekeart
 
I think I can trust st Jude. Everything is free to the families of the sick children. After all they have enough to worry about.

I had a son who needed brain surgery. It's a living hell when your kid is sick. He's fine now,
 
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loknload said:
...Starts a conversation ...
Unexpectedly this gentleman goes off ... hasn't had a drink in 16 years. ... he is now homeless hasn't had a meal in two days ...Could I spare him a couple bucks to get something to eat?
Click to expand...
You are a good person who wants to help the less fortunate. Maybe I have lived in American cities too long and have become cynical in my old age, but I would bet dollars to doughnuts you were hustled. That ten bucks went to buy a "dime bag" before you and your wife were seated at your table.

I will not give a cent to panhandlers. I just tell them "I don't carry cash", which most days is not too much of a lie. I certainly don't carry cash that I want to hand out on the street.

Be very careful around these street hustlers. They take your kindness as an indication of weakness. While you are talking to one, his partner may be sneaking up behind you.
 
I am an easy mark for panhandlers, so I try to give food and not money. Standing in front of a restaurant and asking me for oney is a sure way of getting me to walk you into the restaurant and paying for your meal.

After many years in the work force it has dawned on me that there are some people that really don't need to be working. most cannot due to physical limitations, but some are simply not wired up for modern work. They may have been great farmers in 1750, but in 2015 the world simply moves too fast for them to keep up.
 
In the mid 90's as a utility worker I was making $23 an hour. I read that the street people In Missoula where I lived were averaging $25 an hour panhandling working 3-4 hours a day, eating and sleeping at the homeless shelter. I give to churches, organizations and local charities and refer people to speak to them in their area when traveling.
 
Roanoke VA has a Home Depot kinda across the street from a methadone clinic.

A couple years ago, you could not get out of your car in the HD parking lot,, without several "requests",,

I quit shopping there,, but,,
I happened to need something today that Lowes did not have.

To my surprise, the parking lot was free of panhandlers,,,
it was a pleasant surprise.

Before I got there, I literally planned my approach for the requests I expected!! :eek:

Somehow,,, HD dealt with the issue,, and they were successful.
 
Glad you came to no harm. This isn't India and there are plenty of places in a city of any size where someone who is sober can get a meal and a bed if that's what he truly wants.
 
Bekeart said:
New LOW in cash request.

Yesterday I heard the LOWEST cash request ever for me.

A decently dressed lady asked for THIRTY CENTS.
She said that she only need that much more to buy a loaf of bread.
I did give her my loose change - more than the thirty cents but less than a dollar.

Was her request real? Maybe. Never know. BUT, everybody else wants a few bucks.

Bekeart
Click to expand...
Probably WAS legit. Many years ago, I had occasion to be waiting for a bus in Newark NJ, and a young fellow came up to me with a story about how he came to be penniless on this Saturday morning, and wanted to get something to eat. Making a quick evaluation on whether he was asking or whether he was trying to intimidate, I decided in his favor, and gave him all of my loose change, less than a dollar. He went into the luncheonette on the corner. I then decided I wanted a candy bar, and could get it quickly enough not to miss the bus, if I watched the traffic light. As I exited the luncheonette, he gave the change left over after buying whatever he bought!

I guess I called that one right!
 
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i prefer to give others the same opportunity that i subscribed for me.......educate yourself, work hard, perform with respect and discipline, DO NOT petition others for hand outs.........
 
I'm sure the money was well spent on getting some grains, rice, rye, or corn...
 
My wife used to keep those "tuna kits" in her car to pass put to "the hungry". They often refused them.

I fell for a convincing story for help with gas. He had his car at the pump so I just swiped my card for him and told him to take as much as he wanted. He just had a small Chevy. When I got the bill I saw he pumped all of $2.00.

Color me skeptical. I don't give cash anymore. You're just fueling somebody's habit.
 
In MA, you can get emergency food stamps immediately (regular food stamps can take up to a month to qualify) and they are even good for certain prepared foods now so those who are really in genuine need can get almost instant food if they want it.

In the past 5 or so years, there has been a marked increase in stoplight beggars in my area. It is apparently a very lucrative endeavor or so many people wouldn't be doing it. Some busy intersections have 4 beggars working every stoplight.

The worst ones are the ones working mall and store exits that have long left-hand turn lights. They can sometimes get very aggressive. They have to work fast and keep moving to different locations so every minute on the job counts for them and apparently driver intimidation pays off.
 
I had a guy ask for a donation at an intersection one night. I reached over the seat to the 6pack I had just bought, and handed him a cold beer. He thanked me and grinned from ear to ear.
 
I generally don't give panhandlers money, especially those that hang out on street corners. I've seen way too much working on county roads for 30 years not to know that most of these people aren't really homeless. They just set up shop on the corners to work the compassionate motorist.

I think this guy was legit. I size them up if approached and decide if they need some help.

I was camped on BLM land in AZ a few years ago and was approached by a guy who was camped near me. He asked for a few bucks to get him on his way. He had an old MH that needed a battery (his story) so I gave him $20. He wasn't exactly working a crowd where we were so I figured he was legit.

People with RV's are generally inaccessible to panhandlers. That's one reason I like staying at casino parking lots for one nighters when I'm on the road. They all have cameras and security that bounces the professional con artists. Hit the showers at the RV parks and places that are set up for RVs.
 
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