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WWYD Question about panhandlers

10 Responses to “WWYD Question about panhandlers”

1. creditcardfree Says:
   April 16th, 2013 at 10:41 pm 1366152110
   1366152110
   Definitely not in both cases. Even if I owned them myself.

2. LuckyRobin Says:
   April 16th, 2013 at 10:54 pm 1366152895
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   No, but I don't give money to panhandlers period. I will give to a busker if I like their music or a street performer if I am impressed with their act, but for someone who is just begging and is clearly showing fancy trappings of a life better than a beggar's, no. I did buy a homeless kid a burger, but that's different.

3. PauletteGoddard Says:
   April 16th, 2013 at 11:10 pm 1366153852
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   Thanks. I increasingly feel like a Luddite, despite being an early Internet enthusiast and my family being addicts: I don't have an Android, Blackberry, iPad, iPhone.
   
   I give to Real Change newspaper vendors and to homeless shelters. I gave a hungry kid a hot dog once, and coffee for a man begging on a cold, rainy day (I was an extra for a TV show once in Vancouver, I know what it is to stand outside all day when it is cold and rainy). We have also bought cat food for a Siamese who belonged to a man begging outside a Safeway. Lots of panhandlers here have dogs and I understand that too: certain panhandlers are at increased physical risk. I don't begrudge a basic mobile phone nor a protective and loyal pal, but a tablet... that costs almost a month's worth of food for a single homeless male.

4. rob62521 Says:
   April 16th, 2013 at 11:35 pm 1366155344
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   I would say no on both counts. We donate to a pantry that gives out more than food so I would probably suggest they go there. We have a local newspaper editor who has offered to buy food for some panhandlers and they want the cash, not food.

5. baselle Says:
   April 17th, 2013 at 12:08 am 1366157315
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   I'm of the "I'm sorry but no" and walk away. If I'm feeling particularly snarky I might ask "aren't you afraid you're gonna get robbed?"

6. snafu Says:
   April 17th, 2013 at 01:03 am 1366160607
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   Our local media [newspaper & TV stn.] did an expose on our city's downtown panhandlers. We were surprised to learn they have 'assigned' corners, make more than double minimum wage daily and supplement that cash collecting refundable containers. I've offered to buy food or direct a panhandler to one of several drop-in centers near-by but they look at me like I've lost my mind and just want cash. I've seen panhandlers get quite aggressive with people they've viewed as 'prosperous.'

7. My English Castle Says:
   April 17th, 2013 at 02:36 am 1366166203
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   We've had interesting class discussions for years about who we give to and why. Did said panhandler have a story?

8. PauletteGoddard Says:
   April 17th, 2013 at 02:45 am 1366166710
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   My English Castle: just a sign that said "Food Money". He nodded at us when he briefly looked up from his tablet.

9. My English Castle Says:
   April 17th, 2013 at 01:34 pm 1366205646
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   Not v convincing? I think you made the right choice.
   

10. Jenn Says:
    April 17th, 2013 at 05:17 pm 1366219044
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    No way!! I have helped them before but I actually give food instead of money. I buy a burger at the nearest fast food place [I know - I could select something healthier...] and take it back to them. Usually, they seem disappointed, which makes me wonder how hungry they really were.

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