I feel very conflicted when people approach me panhandling for money. The Greensboro-High Point metropolitan is often ranked as one of the worst, based on the percentage of the population, for people who have difficulties securing food. I give to food banks but I'm reluctant to give when approached by individuals. One reason is, working in an emergency department, I know some of these people and know they are going to spend any cash they get on alcohol and drugs rather than food. Still, it is very difficult for me to not give and I feel it's dehumanizing when I avoid eye contact with people. In a way, it's harder to be callous in Greensboro than when I lived in Seattle or Los Angeles because in those cities there are so many homeless and people panhandling that it is overwhelming. I've considered buying some $5 Subway sandwich gift cards and keeping them in my wallet to give to panhandlers. I eat at Subway and they have stores all over town including Walmart.
What is your experience with panhandling?
Never give a panhandler cash. If you want to get karma points give them coupons for food at local fast food places.
(NB I used to cruise the docks at the Port of Los Angeles in a shelter van, looking for homeless/hungry.)
Quote from: GSOgymrat on April 21, 2020, 10:01:49 AM
I feel very conflicted when people approach me panhandling for money. The Greensboro-High Point metropolitan is often ranked as one of the worst, based on the percentage of the population, for people who have difficulties securing food. I give to food banks but I'm reluctant to give when approached by individuals. One reason is, working in an emergency department, I know some of these people and know they are going to spend any cash they get on alcohol and drugs rather than food. Still, it is very difficult for me to not give and I feel it's dehumanizing when I avoid eye contact with people. In a way, it's harder to be callous in Greensboro than when I lived in Seattle or Los Angeles because in those cities there are so many homeless and people panhandling that it is overwhelming. I've considered buying some $5 Subway sandwich gift cards and keeping them in my wallet to give to panhandlers. I eat at Subway and they have stores all over town including Walmart.
What is your experience with panhandling?
I like your idea of gift cards--had not thought of that. We have bought cheap backpacks from out local charity/Salvation Army type stores and stuffing them with essentials from the dollar store. Toothpaste, socks, Kleenex, soap, candy bars/power bars,--that kind of stuff. We keep them in the car and hand them out--rarely give out money. But I have anyway, especially if they have dogs. It is hard to not do that. Homeless here is a growing problem. You would think the richest country in the history of the world would have something in place to help these people--especially since so many in this country profess to be christian.
I occasionally give cash, to a rough enough looking person, at a corner panhandling. Extra points if they have a dog ;-) My daughter won't give at all, because of being vulnerable. I have never "judged" anyone like that, I don't need to know if their trouble is self inflicted or not.
I haven't experienced much panhandling, but if a guy asks me for some money, I usually give it to him.
Quote from: SGOS on April 21, 2020, 01:40:32 PM
I haven't experienced much panhandling, but if a guy asks me for some money, I usually give it to him.
One time, a guy who seemed legit, with his family, asked me for money. I gave him $5, but had $20. I regretted ever afterward not giving him the $20.
gift certificates for food seems reasonable.
I don’t do “handouts†however, every weekend me and the dogs do a walk through a 20 acre site well forested that on occasion has one or two homeless living there. We have only met four over the last year. One gal, a young couple and a young guy. None of theM, looked or acted they may be current users.
That none of them asked for money was a good indicator for me, I gave each person a twenty and went on my way. Have not seen any of them since.