Which model do you follow? And why?
I feel uber guilty for not giving to panhandlers; I feel like I should. But in the back of my mind I’m thinking, If i give to a proper charity then it’s going some place and perhaps supporting more than one person. Also, those in need should know that there’s help available. But I feel guilty for not giving because I feel like the person must have gone through a sort of ordeal that I can’t even imagine to get to the point of panhandling.
You can usually look at them & tell if they are habitual beggers or people in genuine need. I rarely give cash but if there is a restaurant nearby. I will go ahead & buy a meal & a bottle of water for them & drive back & give it to them.
Or if someone is asking for money for family or kids & we are not in a rush then occasionally we have bought them 20 dollars worth of grocery at the local grocery store. Basic things like milk, eggs & cereal or in one case even baby diapers.
I do have a soft spot for war veterans though. If I have some cash on hand then I always try to give them something.
Charities are a different ball game. Serving different people & purposes. We do have our favorite charities that we regularly donate to. Also most of the times these people on the streets don’t even know about the resources that are available for them. Until unless someone looks like a straight up junkie, even if I can’t help them in any way I always give them a smile & acknowledge their presence.
Re: Giving to Panhandlers, or Charity Organization?
I cant say no and I feel bad saying no so if I have cash on me, I will give it. I know there are people who do it habitually and as a way of earning money, but then there are the truly needy ones and I honestly cannot tell them apart so I rather just take their word for it.
Re: Giving to Panhandlers, or Charity Organization?
i do not give any money to panhandlers because in Canada everyone is entitled to receive government assistance. they reason why they are there is because either they wanna make extra money or they live on the street and refuse to rent a place in order to have an address without which assistance can not be had.
on my work, i see a guy at the highway exit ramp with 2 huge dogs. he is panhandling and it makes me mad. i will never ever give a penny to these guys. they are either skimming the public or refusing to lead a normal life.
besides, it’s illegal to ask anyone for money [panhandling/begging]. unfortunately, the police doesn’t charge those guys unless they are persistent, are harassing or intimidating the passersby.
got no sympathy for them.
Re: Giving to Panhandlers, or Charity Organization?
I give to both.
I figure the amount of overhead big charities carry is waste so if I give a buck or two to a pan-handler at a highway exit ramp, I’m not gonna be doing any more harm.
Allah janay kaun zarooratmand hai aur kaun kiss ki maddad kar raha hai.
Re: Giving to Panhandlers, or Charity Organization?
Same..
KKF, we could say that about people in London living on the streets as well when government assistance is available.. Some are mentally ill or have other ‘issues’ though so I’m not sure it’s as simple as saying they’re refusing to lead a normal life..
Re: Giving to Panhandlers, or Charity Organization?
We have the same problem in Toronto and surrounding areas where there is assistance available but the people are mentally ill and simply do not have the wherewithal to either take their meds and remain on the straight and narrow or find food and shelter on a longer-term basis.
There really is no way to know without a doubt what circumstances they are facing so I prefer to err on the side of caution.