What are your thoughts on giving money to beggars?

Policy wise, this has always been my hill to die on. Giving the homeless money directly is my exclusive form of charity. Because I don't want some capitalist on some bragging rights philanthropy board getting part of my donation as part of their six figure board salary. They've done enough.

A large homeless population is a symbol of a failed society's crimes against itself.

If a society doesn't exist to take care of its people from the worst off upward at all times, it is without a benevolent point and it's existence is without worth.

The homeless in the US are the US's greatest domestic victims, left to die horribly of exposure and police capital defense force brutality for the crime of failing to become model exploitation vessels for our robber Barron's insatiable greed disease.

Most of them should have conditionless basic housing, the worst off should be inpatient mental health wards of our society, as they are us whether we hate them or not. But we aren't willing to pay for that. Even though mass homelessness is not inevitable with good policy and funding.

Worse still, many non wealthy Americans hate them for lowering their... 🤮... Property values. This all goes back go us being a society in name only. We're more a bunch of exploited, deluded peasants at each other's throats for robber Baron scraps as they use their media and their captured government for blaming their greatest victims, those people under your local freeways and tent cities, for their avarice fueled malice.

Communism may starve human nature, but capitalism indulges and gluts humanity's worst, most vile impulses exclusively. It breeds sociopathy as a desirable choice.

And considering the depths our homeless have been brought to by the society that betrayed them, I genuinely do not care if they spend it on food or shelter or alcohol or drugs or whatever will give them even a moment of solace/escape/peace from what we have done to them.

I've been couch surfing homeless before and that was rough enough. People begging for money have it way tougher. Just because there might possibly be someone who has a house and a car behind for money doesn't mean it's a scam, they might also be desperate for money despite having those things.

Begging for money isn't very lucrative.

If you have the cash and want to help, go ahead and toss that starfish, but if you don't want to don't pretend you're taking the high road.

I prefer donating to food banks etc. That's a good tradeoff between helping people eat and not feeding addiction or encouraging begging. I want a world where anybody struggling just goes to the next food bank and shelter and won't freeze, won't go hungry and find assistance to improve his situation. The cost for these things is so little and it helps so much.

If they ask and I have it, sure. People will say "I don't want my money going towards drugs and alcohol" to which I say "who cares?" once you hand it over it's not yours anymore, let them do with it what they want. Their lives are already shit as is so what do I care if my $2 coin is going to go buy them a beer...oh no a single beer, they'll get wasted!

Others will say "but you're just encouraging it" my guy I live in a city of millions not everyone is handing out twonies to homeless people, it's not going to cause a massive increase in drug use or alcoholism.

Here they are always on street corners. I never give money because I don't want to encourage unsafe behavior, as our streets are pretty high-speed. I would much rather provide to the shelters.

Occasionally I will say "how much more to get some product" followed immediately by "how much ya got". If they show change in their palm or otherwise engage honestly, I'll usually top them up. Have your beer dude, if your life is so crummy this is what you need to feel OK go ahead. Never ever ever ever ever ever ever give to somebody that claims they are hungry because that is a bald-faced lie.

But generally the way I give is to check on the addicts in the bus shelter during extreme winter nights, bring them hot/cold water, supplies to plug wind holes and otherwise keep it warmer, plus whatever I salvage in my travels. In summer I maintain the community "ice water" zone which is just at the stump of a tree, but now that all the people in the hood know it's there, it's raided continually. I honestly can't keep up as I just have a tiny freezer but it's replenished as often as reasonable for me. The community chips in now as well... they've started to bring lidded takeout cups and plastic bottles and leave them there so I don't have to constantly scout containers.

As someone who's been homeless, I deride the term beggar. Still, It depends, If I have something on me I can part with. A joint, a cigarette sure. Got a fairly annoying allergy that means I often wind up with some food stuff I can't eat. If I have bills they can have cash. Change is kinda worthless here. If someone looks hungry, I'll give them something. But there's so many now in the area, you can't help everyone.

What someone buys with the money I give them is none of my business. These people are suffering, of course buying drugs and alcohol is a possibility. People get drunk at the bar for less.

Some people talk like giving these folks money keeps them in their situation. As if the threat of death and nobody caring if they disappear will magically spring them up with motivation to find a job. Nope. But I agree that our current system of leaving it to the generosity of strangers isn’t effective. We need more housing-first programs, with access to therapy.

A lot of them have drug or alcohol problems. I don't want to fund their self destructive behaviour. I'm more than happy to give money to homeless shelters, food banks and other related charities.

I won't help every time, but if someone asks and I'm feeling generous, I usually stop and talk for a few mins and hand them $10-20, no strings attached. I'm not the ethics police and if they buy insulin or liquor doesn't matter to me as much as them getting the impression that they aren't invisible and people want to see them prosper. It's too easy to see myself in their situation for me to be an asshole about it. Most of us are only an accident or bad decision away from homelessness and poverty.

My thinking is that as long as I'm given the choice, I'd rather be scammed out of $20 than fail to help someone who legitimately needs it.

I had a lady come up to me in the grocery store with her child and ask very quietly in very broken spanish/english to help her buy food for her and her daughter - who looked to be about 2. My first reaction that I acted on was to say sorry and walk away. Then it hit how cold and callous that was. Even if she was a scammer, that is not an easy way to make money. So I found her gave her $20 and walked away. A few minutes later I saw her with a cart and some food with a smile on her face.

My opinion is that if I have a bit of money that I can do without there is someone that could do with it I'll let them have it. The money may go to a scammer from time to time and I know in the past it has, but if I can help one genuinely needy person I do what I can, not going to let the shit bags (both scammers and politicians) keep me from trying to help

Where I live, there are a lot of people who hold signs on the side of the road and the end of off ramps. I'm a funeral director, and I've had to cremate homeless people who got hit doing that. It makes me very anxious to see someone running across traffic to grab a dollar from someone three lanes over.

So that in particular bothers me pretty bad

I don't like giving money to the homeless, that's why every month I make some grab bags, usually five or six because we have a few spots where people panhandle in my city. I based the grab bags off the weather, sometimes a cheap hat or shirt or sandals in the summer, and in the winter things like beanies scarves or gloves. Then throw some plant-based protein bars in there maybe a little candy, You will definitely want things that won't spoil in the heat of the car. Then a couple self-care items like some travel toothpaste and toothbrushes, chapstick gum that sort of thing.

As a short woman who can't run fast, it depends on how safe the situation feels. In general, I keep moving if there's someone coming out and approaching people, because some of those folks can switch from a scam to a purse-snatch/assault in a flash. But I've occasionally tucked a 20 into the cart of a woman sleeping on the sidewalk, and I don't care what they spend it on. I donate monthly to my local food bank as well of course.

Anyone willing to do that probably needs the cash more than I do. Who am I to say? If I can spare it, I share it. If I can't, I still try to give a little of my time to recognize them as a fellow human being, because I know begging or just being destitute in general feels dehumanizing.

I give money if I can afford to and it's for charity, or a person asking for themselves. I don't give if I can't afford it, or if it's the police. They really should be getting funded through taxes.

Donate money to your local food banks, homeless shelters, or any other non-profit that has a good reputation for assisting those in need.

If someone approaches you asking for money, absolutely under no circumstances should you give it to them. Be sure to say that you do not carry cash to give them. Then if you are feeling that you need to give to them, then offer a meal or buy groceries using a credit card. You'll find that most of them will decline.

They are using YOUR GUILT to get their next drug fix most of the time. That guilt is artificial and the result of manipulation techniques they are employing against you. It is rather contemptible to be perfectly frank.

Just handing them money? No, I don't. I don't have much myself.

But I do work in a downtown area near a shelter and see a lot of the same people pass by every day. I'll give them cold water and extra food if I have it. Certain others I will let go through my scrap metal for stuff they can sell to recyclers, and occasionally I'll hire someone for the day to help me clean.

I still feel like a dick setting in my air conditioned truck ignoring the person setting outside in 100F+ weather with a "help me" sign.

When I can, I do. Life is difficult enough without having to beg to survive. Don't give a damn what they spend it on. Just want them to have what little comfort it can afford

I never give cash. I've personally had to provide emergency service for ODs that came directly from someone's "last fix".

My GF donates to the food bank at the end of our street when she finds a great deal on an item.

I give food or consumables only.

• canned food
• dry food
• fast food
• Gatorade mix
• multi-vitamins
• socks
• clothes
• coats
• water bottles
• life straws
• soap
• sanitary wipes
• dry shampoo

I will not give to anyone who panhandles in dangerous locations. I will not give to people who stop me.

the only time I will give cash is if they have kids with them and I have seen them interact positively with the kids.

there's one woman in my area that has her three kids with her. she's everywhere in town. she does not have positive interactions with the kids. one day I saw her and the kids sneaking back to a parked escalade in a park across from where they were at. very nice, new, and clean. clearly she is using her kids for sympathy. this is why I have that rule.

I should more than I do. It's a good thing to give when you're able.

If someone is trying to do the most good with their money, it seems logical to give via an organization that distributes the funds according to a plan. To instead hand out money to people closest at hand seems it could be motivated more by trying to make me feel good than to actually make a difference.

Furthermore, there are larger scale systemic issues. Begging takes up a lot of time. It becomes a problem if it pays someone enough to outcompete more productive use of time that could, in some cases, pay, and in other cases, at least be more useful: childcare/teaching kids, home maintenance, cooking, cleaning, etc. In contrast, state welfare programs and aid organizations usually do not condition help on that the receiver has to sit idle for long times to receive help. Add to this that begging really only works in crowded areas, which may limit the possibility to relocate somewhere where living might be more sustainable. Hence, in the worst case, handing out money to those who begs for it could actually add to the difficulty for people stuck in a very difficult situation to get out of it.

This "analysis" of course skips over the many, many individual circumstances that get people into a situation where begging seems the right choice. What we should be doing is investing public funds even heavier in social programs and other aids to (1) avoid as much as possible that people end up in these situations; and (2) get people out of these situations as effectively as possible.

I'm getting the very minimum basic income aid, I'm struggling too so I dont give 🤷

I don't give. I donate to organizations that give, but I don't give direct. I'm not particularly trusting that it's going to the right place. I'm not interested in buying you a beer, and I don't believe the train ticket story, because I've heard it a million times.

My wife works with the homeless. She gets them housed. My wife found a dude who shed gotten housed out busking telling people he was homeless. It's happened more than once.

If you're going to give to a person, give to an organization.

Loud street beggars - never. They are usually members (or victims) of criminal organizations. Even if they are forced to do it, giving them anything only makes the business profitable for their bosses.

Poor people you know otherwise. Like for example a homeless person in your neighborhood who doesn't usually ask for anything. Help them if you can, especially with non-monetary support. Food, clothes you don't need, personal hygiene supplies, etc...

I wouldn't because I'm broke as fuck

My advice to them would be: go shoplift the corporate chain

Eat The Rich

I’m poor, so I’ll do what I can. Especially if it means ignoring people I’ve seen shoplifting. Because, no, I didn’t.

I'll throw a few bucks here and there. Bought a guy a six pack once. Fuck it life sucks enough as is when you're homeless, may as well have a drink and forget for a while.

Depends on how they behave. If they get right up in my face and immediately tell me their whole life story how they're sick and hungry and have twenty children to feed, I'm usually skeptical. On the other hand, if someone is polite and especially if they ask for food instead of money, I'm more inclined to help.

Overall, I'm happy to help those who really need it but I've had too many bad experiences with people who were in it out of greed more than necessity. Prime example, some time last year I was on my way home from a vacation and had to wait at the train station for a couple of minutes when a guy came up to me and asked me for money because he was hungry. I told him I had no cash with me but I could get him a sandwich from a nearby vending machine where I can pay with my credit card. On the way to the vending machine, he asked me if something from the bakery at the other end of the station would also be okay. That was already a bit weird but okay. I left my partner and my luggage at the platform and took him to the bakery. On the way there, he pointed out that there was an ATM where I could get cash for him which I refused, then at the bakery he asked me for two of the most expensive snack they had plus something to drink, a total of over 20€. Quite the difference between that and the 4€ sandwich I had initially agreed to. The whole situation was so uncomfortable, I can't even remember what I got him in the end. And from the way he acted, I wouldn't be surprised if he just threw away the food once I was out of sight and asked the next person for money.

It's sad. There are so many people who ask for what they need and are genuinely happy when they get help and then there are greedy assholes like that guy. And because I usually can't tell the difference at a glance, I'm often overly careful and don't help even though I feel I should.

I no longer carry cash so the question is moot. Also a cheap way out ….

I used to occasionally, but

• I no longer work downtown so rarely encounter homeless
• I am more likely to recognize scammers and am more likely to run into them. An oversimplification is the more aggressive ones are more likely scammers
• I used to think it was a good thing to empty my pockets for whoever was in need, but too often they were offended I would offer change
• if someone was hungry I used to buy them a meal, but too often it was an excuse to beg for a larger amount and they’d be offended at a meal

Now I theoretically donate larger amounts to services for homeless ….. although it’s been far too long since I have

Depends on where. I never do where I live. Not just beggars, but most charities that engage me on the streets as well. I just need to get through my day, and the money I have is already reserved for something, and anyone who knows me knows that the least enticing way to get me to do anything is to show up out of the blue and ask for something, or ask for something when I'm just moving through to some destination or purpose.

EDIT: My GF reminded me of a major exception to the above: There's this magazine often sold by people down on their luck. I usually buy it, even if I don't always read it, because the ones selling it are usually in the beginning stages of (hopefully) turning their life around. People fresh out of rehab, etc. They're making an effort, and I'll happily support them doing so.

I do support some charities, but none of the ones I support bothered me with expectations of social etiquette when I've got shit to do and places to be. I've finally reached the point in my life where I don't give two shits about coming off as rude or unfriendly.

When I'm somewhere foreign I'm a bit more nice/giving, though. For starters, I don't know much about local circumstances to know which hardships and lack of support anyone I meet face. Secondly, I am usually carrying some local jimjam currency I won't need once I leave. A prime examle of this is when I saw a beggar in Mobile, AL last year, and I walked past someone with that "default" sign of being a veteran et.al. I was leaving the next day and didn't really need whatever local currency I had in my pocket, so I gave him 40$. If he truly needed it (which I assume he did), then I hope it took a load off his shoulders for a while. If he didn't then it wasn't that big of a loss to me.

I'm used to automatically disingage with them but I kinda shouldn't. I'm working on it.

👀

A few things. My policy for all people is that if they ask me for something specific, then I will not give it to them on the spot. Doesn't matter whether it's panhandling or selling something or asking for signatures. I don't like being put on the spot, so I'm going to either research it on my own or follow some policy.

My policy about panhandling is to give money to food charities instead. Not because I think it's wrong to give them things, but because it makes more sense for me logically and emotionally.

Emotionally first. I don't get that emotional rush that other people seem to get for giving out money to a needy person, but I do feel a lot of remorse if I think it was a mistake. Sometimes, their response to a donation makes you feel really bad, and you don't ever get that if you just ignore them.

Logically next. A person without a home cannot buy food as efficiently as even a badly run charity. They don't have a refrigerator or even a safe place to store food, so they're forced to buy ready to eat food at several times the cost. Even if I did hand out money to individuals, I wouldn't do it without a budget. It just makes a lot more sense to give the same money to a charity, instead.

I give money because it is the decent thing to do.

I had a job that paid stupid well. I'd give some money to almost anyone who asked on the street. They need it. I have plenty. I'm not going to notice the $1 or $5 or even $20 that I gave away. I make more than that in interest every day.

Rarely, I'll talk with them a little. Ask their name or their story. There's a regular around me that seems delighted that I remember his name.

Sometimes someone will seem unsafe, but most people are alright. It helps that I'm a bearded man, so certain classes of danger and harassment are rarely pointed at me.

I got laid off in February. I still give to people who ask, but I carry less cash so sometimes I don't have anything to give.

When I'd be out with coworkers, before we all got laid off, none of them would give anything to people asking. I know they made as much or more than I did. I don't judge people for not giving cash out when they're in debt or struggling to pay rent, but I do judge my coworker for like wearing a high five figure watch and never helping the poor.

talk about how the beggars might spend their money on, how they might be lying

Only thing that I ever heard: they use all the money for alcohol and nothing else (I don't know, cannot prove it)

they should be looking for a job instead (My commentary: finding a job is impossible for them this days

Around here everybody who wants to work (and is legally allowed to) finds a job.

I pretty much never have cash. So, if I'm buying a 'to go' lunch/coffee I'll offer to get them something.