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Yes, I thought about this^while reading through the thread.
In that case, I would pay for a slice and tack the slip to the wall. That way, if someone was truly hungry they would get to eat.
In large cities, homeless people know where the soup kitchens and shelters are. Years ago, a magazine (can't remember which one) did an experiment. They had a reporter go to various cities in the US and ask people where to get breakfast, lunch and dinner. The reporter posed as someone down on his luck. In every case, people directed him to soup kitchens that served meals. What he wrote was that in every city, he didn't lack for 3 decent meals a day.
Honestly, I keep on walking and don't give. I think it should be the government's role to see about the poor and downtrodden and it should be my choice as a private citizen to help them or not. I damn sure wouldn't give a thing to a homeless person here in DC, they probably make more money begging hourly than I do on my job.
What's really sad is that "socialists" like you hate Christianity, but it was traditionally the churches in America who took care of the down and out, not the government. You socialists should leave the churches alone and stop attacking them.
When you try to make the government responsible for everyone you create a welfare state that leads to communism. Fascist communism. Have you ever read Animal Farm?
I live in Seattle, where we have a HUGE homeless population. We are told not to give money directly to people, as most will use it to feed drug and alcohol addictions. If you want to help, donate to the organizations that actively help the homeless find food and shelter.
Here in Portland (homeless capitol of the USA) there was a recent large article about giving money to the homeless and they interviewed several former homeless people. All of them said to never give money. By so doing all you do is support drug/alcohol habits.
So I give a fair amount to groups that feed and otherwise care for them.
I remember a few years ago I gave some money to a very elderly and frail looking woman. Later that day I saw her being arrested. I asked one of the officers about her and apparently she was a very cruel lady who actually pimped girls from other countries here illegally. So I guess one never knows.
My town has 5 regular places for meals...I do not know one person that is hungry.
When it is too cold places that don't even have room open their doors.
And clothes galore...vouchers are given to Goodwill, etc.
Nope money given to them is for other things...I think that is a given.
I mean in MY city...and I have no problem if they need gum, cigarettes or MD-2020.
Not disagreeing with people...that's just what I see and think.
Sometimes it seems a cigarette is your only friend, and a 40 a lullaby.
I live in Seattle, where we have a HUGE homeless population. We are told not to give money directly to people, as most will use it to feed drug and alcohol addictions. If you want to help, donate to the organizations that actively help the homeless find food and shelter.
And... THIS.
There's enough places to get free food. People here aren't starving unless they're too sick to get to the food. Anyone out walking around asking for money doesn't need it to stay fed with food. On the other hand, giving money to panhandlers may cut down on the amount of theft. That's debate-able however since it's possible for the same area to support both thieves and panhandlers if there's enough street resources to go around.
What's really sad is that "socialists" like you hate Christianity, but it was traditionally the churches in America who took care of the down and out, not the government. You socialists should leave the churches alone and stop attacking them.
When you try to make the government responsible for everyone you create a welfare state that leads to communism. Fascist communism. Have you ever read Animal Farm?
To this day Christian charities help millions of people. But it's not a popular fact for the powers that be, socialists and liberals to acknowledge.
If they're adults and they've installed themselves at the entrance to Target or Wells Fargo I don't. Just my choice. Around here there are lots of beggars at those spots.
But here's an incident I wouldn't mind doing over. Two years ago when I was coming out of a supermarket a boy about 14, thin, asked me for money for the bus so he could get across town for some appointment. He was nervous and tripping over his words. I told him Tell me the truth. He repeated the bus fare story. Again I said Tell me the truth. He repeats. I repeat. He says "I'm hungry!" I give him five dollars and go to my car. I turn to look back at him and see him walking up the block to Jack In The Box and watch as he approaches their door and goes in. Maybe he was a criminal, a hustler, an addict, but to this day I believe he was only what he said he was: hungry. He had to be pretty desperate to do what he was doing. What if a couple of his friends had seen him? I've worked with teens and know the ridicule and ostracism he would have faced. If I'd been thinking instead of reacting I would have taken him into the supermarket and let him pick out a few items to bring home to his family. If he was hungry it's not unlikely they were too. It was summer and school was out. There were no "free" school-provided breakfasts or lunches until classes started again, many weeks away.
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