Just so ya all know, many panhandlers are not homeless but do their begging for a living.  My cousin says he makes an average of $100.00 a day (tax free).  He says it is hard work on a hot day.

I am very careful who I hand a dollar or two to I have seen where a guy gets out of a nice car and walks across the street and gets out his sign that is hid in some bushes and starts the begging. You got to be so careful because many of these guys are pros but I have also seen a woman sitting up against the grocery store with no sign just asking for spare change, she looked homeless and so I went shopping stopped by the deli and bought her a meal and drink so as exited I gave it to her. She thanked me over and over so I felt good that I could feed someone who was down and out, I didn't do it to make myself feel good I did it because I felt she was genuine and just needed some compassion. When I was living in So. Cal I also use to buy the special at this one particular hamburger joint when it was buy one get one free and hand out the second meal to some one who was hungry But handing out money is something I am very careful of just because of the scammers out there.

from time to time i might give someone a dollar or some of my spare change. i was in landcaster a while back and an older man was standing on the side of the road somewhat well dressed with a good lookin border collie dog. i gave him a couple of bucks and talked to him while i waited for the light to change, his story was his motor home caught fire and he was looking to get a bus ticket to go back home. (i forget where) so i gave him some money and his dog a milkbone and went on. sometimes you gotta help soeone out. but you gotta take a good look at them and figure out who your dealing with

I will never forget the day that I saw a young mother standing with her children at a large shopping center, with a sign begging for help.  My hubbie and I were going through some pretty tight times then, but I knew that I had some extra food at home that I could give her.  So I went home and got items which were unopened, packed up nearly two bags, one with food, and one with personal needs ... took them back there to her and told her that I would be praying for her. 

She looked at me, then inside of the bag and shook her head and turned away.

That was the last time that I ever did that.  I do support our Rescue Missions because I feel that they can do more good with what is given to them and use it for the right reasons .... putting people back up on their feet and working to make themselves a better person.  BUT ... knowing how that woman acted when I gave her from a caring heart ... no more will I give directly to someone standing on a corner ... I don't mind taking them and getting them something to eat, but I will not give them money to waste their lives with . . . only to make them better.

NomiAnn

Its ok scottos, when someone shows their level of intelligence in this way, we all know what their about, but thanks for the backup,,,:)

Wow, anonnymous, thats a bit hostile and inflammatory.  And probably uncalled for.  Where did that come from?

Starbucks is it because your kids are drug addicts that you don't give money to the needy.  

Many years ago my youngest brother lived in Frisco. The homeless problem there was out of control. He would cheerfully give until one Christmas season. One of his staff members had given him a large Christmas tree-shaped glass jar which she had filled with pennies. Granted, my brother should have had it in a bag, but he's one of those super intelligent people who have little common sense, lol. Anyway, as he made his way up the street to his subway station, he was accosted by a homeless man who demanded my brother give him that jar of pennies, he kept telling my brother if he was that rich, it was his duty to give it to him! My brother finally had to get a police officer to get the man to leave him alone. Since then, he refuses to hand money out to any one begging on the street.  He lives in Germany now, and he really doesn't have that problem there.

I'm new here and just wanted to give my two cents - I've given money to the homeless on the side of the road before... actually I had a similar situation as Alcoholic (the first post)... his sign actually said, "Will work for beer." I gave him a few bucks just for being real - that was many years ago. Since then I've taken to buying them a meal from a fast food place... I'll purchase the meal and then just hand it to them. I figure they'll either choose to eat it, or just throw it away.

I think that missions are awesome!

I always trust my instincts, say a little prayer and give when I feel led. There have been times I really knew I was supposed to give to someone and times when I really knew I wasn't supposed to. When I do give I feel like I am being obedient and doing as I am commanded and if the person uses the money wrongly then that's on them, I did as I felt led.

There have been times however that I knew money wasn't the thing to give to that particular person so I gave them shoes or a coat or something. One time some people asked me for money to buy diapers. So I told them I would go get some and I would be right back. I asked the baby's size and went around the corner and bought 2 big boxes of diapers and when I returned they we gone-- I don't think they really needed diapers.

So I think God, (whoever that is to you) will give you guidance and leading if you look for it.

I would give this man a dollar or two.........................

i am headed your way for my kids wedding this weekend...cant wait.  I am good, working etc

Hey Julie Olivia says hi and so do I. How are you?

well said bigdog

A while back when I was working in Bako I always stop at the same store after work  to get a snack and the same homeless guy was always there. One day I bought him a beer and I did that every day for a couple of months until my job moved. He always said thanks and we made small talk. And every time that I drove away I thanked my luck stars that I have what I have.