Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor store!

Govtgirl

Govtgirl

Cathlete
Imagine my surprise! The sign he holds all the time says "Just plain hungry." Hmm.

Lately there have been a bunch of the "homeless" at the stoplights next to the grocery store (strategic, huh?) begging for money. I thought there might be a turf war, because you'd see one guy at one corner for a week, then some other guy would be there. But as it turns out, they all know each other, and I've seen them loudly discussing their evening social plans as they come out of the liquor store.

I live in a college town, and am surpised they have lasted this long. I mean, I'm pretty sure the mayor is planning to do something to get them to go away; he can't exactly have parents stepping over a guy with a bottle of gin while he's trying to sell the stellar record of the school. For the record, there is a nice homeless shelter and food bank in town. The community supports it; you see signs in yards and bumper stickers encouraging donation.

I just thought this whole thing was kind of funny, in a dark, twisted way. If nothing else, next time you see someone begging, think about why they're there and not getting a hot meal from a shelter or food bank.
 
I never know what to do when I come across a homeless person. Sometimes I give money, sometimes I don't (like when I smell liquor from 5 feet away). But I'm never sure if I'm doing the right thing.
 
We've got tag teams of them at the stoplights here in CA. And my favs are the ones who sit in wheelchairs begging, but then if you have a chance to see them at "shift change" they get up and walk away while another comes to sit down and take their place.

I guess they are quite creative these days !

And like you, I wonder why they are homeless, but then too, remember how hard it was for my kids to find jobs even making minimum wage. There are so many adults out of work or working two jobs the teens are finding it harder also.

I know there are some that don't want to conform to hard work and good ethics and morals, but I also believe some of it is just pure bad luck and the state of the economy. Even the food banks are hurting badly here in the West at least. With more people needing help due to rising gas prices which has in turn inflated everything else and the fact that many of us who donated more freely are also having to watch it now, they shelters and food banks are hurting too.

There were also so many creative lenders got people into homes that they are now being foreclosed upon and now finding rentals is getting tough. That will remain true until the foreclosure are purchased and either used as income property or some folks actually get back on their feet into their own homes.

I feel so lucky to have a good job (even though I'm not enjoying it much right now) and a home that I can afford to live in.

I sure hope things change sooner than later. It is so sad to see so many in this country going through such a tough time.
 
>I never know what to do when I come across a homeless person.
> Sometimes I give money, sometimes I don't (like when I smell
>liquor from 5 feet away). But I'm never sure if I'm doing the
>right thing.

If you give with unconditional love and kindness then you are never doing the wrong thing. You never know what that one gesture of kindness will do for a person. It may not register at that particular moment, but someday or some other lifetime, it will.
 
they have banned it in our city b/c they would choose the most dangerous places to sit or walk. one particular road is a dangerous in general and throw in somebody walking on it could cause some serious accidents.

they have also found the MOST of them were wanted for something(drugs,gangs,assult etc) b/c we have many salvation army shelters within distance, with the number one rule- no drugs or alcohol.and they have plenty of room from last count. most others that were unaware were taken to a shelter without issue, while others just run and later find out they were wanted in another county or something. be surprised how many fugitives they catch this way.

but back to my point. i did give usually b/c i didn't know and i couldn't tell. what is a dollar or two to me? at that time it was mere chump change(hey things were cheaper just a year ago and i was on easy street)but now we do other things to help. like donating to food banks whether money or food. donate to salvation army and donate unused items to goodwill or veterans thrift stores since they will employ and help those in need.

kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

http://jtjulian2003.tripod.com

YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING,WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT??

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1307/4842454/16585805/255246443.jpg
 
It's a vicious circle. Many are homeless because of serious mental health issues and/or addictions and don't know how/can't/don't have the motivation to get help. Mental health problems have a great deal of stigma against them and there are few programs to help those out there that suffer. You can't hold down a job if you're mentally unstable or are suffering from addictions and there's no help for those who are homeless to conquer their mental health issues. I've seen it first hand and worked with them. It's devestating to see.

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
All is take for many of us is one catastrophic illness to wipe out everything we have worked so hard to build....

In my area anyway, food banks are going begging because no one is donating anymore so before you assume your community is supportive ask yourself if you or anyone you know has donated anything lately.

Yes, there are frauds, drunks, fugitives, perverts amongst the homeless (just as they are in your neighborhood in the Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes made of ticky-tacky) but there are others whose countless stories frighten us and make us wonder with horror "could that ever be me." I don't blame anyone who might feel uncomfortable about handing out cash in these situations but I caution them to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before they pass judgment.
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

Or another alternative..... if you are afraid they'll spend cash on booze, carry around protein bars or fruit and give them that. When I lived in the city and did bagel runs, I'd hand out bagels on the way back to my car.

-Beth
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

I'm glad we're discussing this, as I find myself torn when I run into this particular situation. I strongly believe we should help others when (and how) they need it, and not just when it's convenient for us. This may mean digging into my purse for a $5 even though I'm scurrying with the kids from Point A to Point B and feel as though I don't have time.

On the other hand, my father-in-law is a retired cop, and he says that can be pretty dangerous to do. Some will stop to ask for money and then snatch your wallet or purse as you pause to help.

I had one guy approach me in the grocery store parking lot looking for bus fare. I was alarmed, as we've all heard stories of women being forced into their cars in parking lots, but this guy looked like a mess. He looked less like a predator and more like a dude who spent all night drinking and now couldn't afford to get home. I asked him to keep a certain distance, made sure my vehicle was between us, and passed him money over the hood. He was so sweet and thankful, I really didn't care if he went to the bus stop or back into the bar for more drinks. (He ended up heading for the bus stop.)

This may sound really stupid, but I sometimes consider printing out little cards with the addresses of area homeless/battered women shelters to hand out with a few bucks. Most are probably already familiar with them, but I'd feel like I was making more of an effort to help.

*Edit: Beth, that's a great idea!
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

I agree with what Jane said. I always try to give...I have been homeless and not sure where my next meal was coming from living in a van...so you never forget that stuff...
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

From experience, this is what we've done in the past, (instead of giving them money) offer to take them to the grocery store to buy food for them. If they agree then they're truly in need. If they decline, then they probably will use the money for drugs/alcohol. I refuse to support that kind of habit.

We did this to one man who came up to us asking for money. We asked what it was for, he said for food. "Well let's go to the store together & we'll get it for you." "Uh, no thanks", he said (with bloodshot eyes & hung over). "Sorry, we don't have any money to give you." He then walked away from us.

Fay
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

>From experience, this is what we've done in the past,
>(instead of giving them money) offer to take them to the
>grocery store to buy food for them. If they agree then
>they're truly in need. If they decline, then they probably
>will use the money for drugs/alcohol. I refuse to support
>that kind of habit.
>
>We did this to one man who came up to us asking for money. We
>asked what it was for, he said for food. "Well let's go to
>the store together & we'll get it for you." "Uh, no thanks",
>he said (with bloodshot eyes & hung over). "Sorry, we don't
>have any money to give you." He then walked away from us.
>
>Fay


This is a good idea but they have learned how to utilize this gesture as well. We got a warning in my office building not to give these people food because they go back to the cafeteria, say they don't want the food item, and get money back. Now the cafeteria has to throw away good food.
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

Why are street people wondering into your office anyway? In my area any office large enough to have a cafeteria have a key card system that restricts access.
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

This thread is very timely to me. As some of you know, my DH and I are in the second day of a series of physical challenges to acknowledge my DH's 42 birthday and to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, generally, and to raise money for a local organization that feeds them, specifically. If you'd like to know more of the details of that, please go to our website -- http://lhctodd.googlepages.com/home.

My family has always had a very strong sense of responsibility for the homeless, and we've struggled with exactly what do vis a vis the individual panhandler. Last summer, my DH, DDs, and I created "care packages" to give them at intersections, etc. They contained a pair of socks, a water bottle, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, a hand wipe, a bar of soap, a wash rag, a toothbrush, and a mini toothpaste. Inevitably, the recipient was gracious, excited about the socks, and asked that God bless us. We also have become very involved with our local Food Bank and Mobile Loaves & Fishes, the local organization for which we are raising money.

I agree completely with so much of what you've all said -- we don't know why they are out there. Many, many of them are not just lazy. I heard a story on our local news at noon about mothers and children who are becoming homeless in this economy. We are all so very blessed -- there are ways we can help without necessarily enabling further bad behaviors. I'm glad the OP started this thread, and I'm glad it's important enough for us to talk about.
 
I always have a hard time with this, and I want to make sure I'm sending the right message to my daughters, too. There are a couple homeless men that hang out at the entrance of the Wal-Mart parking lot. My 7-yr old wanted to know what that was about. So we went inside where there's a little McDonald's and bought two $5 McD's gift cards. At least it's going toward food or coffee! When we came out the "shift" must've been over, but I'm sure we'll see someone again next time.
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

Right now in Indiana, we've got people who LOST their homes in the recent floods and storms and tornadoes. And hundreds of families who lost everything BUT their house, and even their house is so damaged they can't live in it until they repair it.

These people who lost everything are up at the crack of dawn and are working all day to salvage what they can and rebuild what they've lost. They're trying to work their jobs AND rebuild - and get no rest, in the face of tragedy. I don't mean to sound crass, but all I see these homeless people doing is sitting on the street shaking a cup at me, or standing on the corner holding a sign. Perhaps some of those people REALLY AREN'T able to do anything more to help themselves, but right now I've got to give my money to those I see at least TRYING to help themselves. My money is too tight to give it to someone who might spend it on beer, when I can give it to someone who I KNOW will spend it on rebuilding their home & livelihood. I feel better knowing my donation went to someone who appreciated it for what it was: A gift to better their situation. I don't like feeling like my kind heartedness is being taken advantage of...and I certainly don't want to be an enabler to someone's bad habits.
 
It bothers me far more when wealthy people shake their money cup and wave their signs at the government after knowingly building their homes (or in many cases vacation homes) in flood/hurricane/natural disaster prone areas looking for their tax dollar handout so they can rebuild before the next likely disaster.
 
RE: Our homeless guy rides a 10-speed to the liquor sto...

>Why are street people wondering into your office anyway? In
>my area any office large enough to have a cafeteria have a key
>card system that restricts access.

My office doesn't even have a cafeteria but you can't get in the building without a key code. That's just crazy.

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
>It bothers me far more when wealthy people shake their money
>cup and wave their signs at the government after knowingly
>building their homes (or in many cases vacation homes) in
>flood/hurricane/natural disaster prone areas looking for their
>tax dollar handout so they can rebuild before the next likely
>disaster.


Bingo Beaves.........it takes 3 months of a disability check to put a security deposit on the most basic room....to accumulate that is nearly impossible if you are diseased by ignorance,alcoholism, lifetime of abuse,addiction, or the myriad of circumstances that make people descend into homelessness......so he has a 10 speed....terrific...and he's begging for money, big deal.....we have heads of companies who are living grandly despite robbing hard working Americans (I give you Enron)....and people in their McMansions who now can't pay for them and want a bail out....and young kid veterans of this insane war being warehoused in a shameless secret that no one is talking about...

Homelessness is to be pitied - and I"m a nurse and work with them when they are vile and awful, hateful...so I don't sound as generous on THOSE days - lol, but in the big picture, as my grandfather always said, "Bread cast upon the water returns a thousand fold" - sharing a buck or two enriches you more than them.........
 
Feeling guilt-tripped into impulse assistance is what scam artists count on. Back when I was in college (art school) the kids laughed and joked about all the money they "earned" from the guilty upper middle class, just by holding up a sign. Last year, a woman hired one of those men she saw with a sign to do odd jobs around the house. That poor, unfortunate is now doing time for the murder of that kindly woman. Living in a bad neighborhood now (the house rehab thing) junkies with signs are everywhere. Whatever money they get isn't being used to buy food (Give gift certificates to McDonalds and watch for that quick glint of hostility in their eyes when they realize you're on to them). If I hand money to these guys I'm helping to destroy my neighborhood by contributing to the drug problem and that's not going to happen. God bless you for having your heart in the right place but, more often than not, you aren't doing them any favors, unless infantalizing people can be perceived as good. A good heart doesn't help much when you refuse to recognize that, more often than not, you're being used and the repercussions go beyond you and the person you mean to help. If you REALLY want to help donate to your local shelters where people who know all the games and tricks are trained and equipped to deal with this sad situation
 
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