Do You Give Money to Panhandlers?

When you're walking down the street, riding a train, or entering a store and someone begs you for pocket change, do you give it to them?

I grew up being told not to give money to people on the street, because they could be lying about whatever story they tell you, or they'll just use the money for drugs, alcohol, ect. But occasionally I will give a buck or two to someone if I have it on me. What about you?

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I usually give them a buck or two, I know they're usually buying drugs or booze but eh, better to be generous I guess. A homeless woman at a gas station in my town always calls me "handsome fella' " and asks me for money for gas to get to insert town name here whenever I go there, I always give her a buck it's kind of funny.

I usually give them a dollar because you cant by any drug or form of alcohol with a dollar. You can however by something from McDonald's or a few small things to eat from a store. My mom raised me not to do it but my father said it was fine to because you are being generous.

I live in a town where you don't find beggers. There literally are none, so I only come across them when I'm out of town, and even rarely then. I do try to give something if I have something, but I tend not to have much pocket money anymore. I keep most of my money on my bank card.

I live in Denver, so there are a lot of homeless people around here. I don't give cash, but if I have some extra money, I'll buy them some food, or even, when I have them from birthdays and such, give them gift cards to places like Walmart or Target where they can buy whatever they need at the moment. If I have some extra change though, I will toss them that. One time I was wearing an old jacket as I was walking by a homeless person who didn't appear to have one, realized I really didn't wear it all that much, and gave it to him. I'm a small girl, so it probably didn't fit the best, but I do think he appreciated it.

I love helping people. Makes my heart warm. :)

There aren't any around here, but when I was in Philadelphia there was one that approached us. My aunt gave him a few cents. I would have given him some, but I was afraid of what my mom would have said about it, since she didn't and is always cheap like that. Maybe an alternative would be giving them some food or something.

I work at a bakery, and when I close I can take home the leftovers--when I walk home, there are usually a bunch of young homeless men on the corners, so I give them whatever I got that evening from closing. They're usually very thankful and it makes me more comfortable than giving them money.

engine:

I work at a bakery, and when I close I can take home the leftovers--when I walk home, there are usually a bunch of young homeless men on the corners, so I give them whatever I got that evening from closing. They're usually very thankful and it makes me more comfortable than giving them money.

I feel the same way. My mum usually buys homeless people warm pastries and pies from the bakery and supermarkets around winter and Christmas time. She says she'd rather use her money to see them eat, rather than give cash to them and not really know where it may end up.

I often feel guilty when I see homeless people and beggars. Sometimes you just want to know exactly why they're in that position because some may deserve it a lot less than others, you just don't know the extent of the situation and that's why I couldn't just open up my purse to every one.

I give them nothing. The majority of beggers I see are Romanions, and it makes me laugh because when they're not begging, they go to the cinema, McDonalds and wear Adidas and Nike clothing. I'm on to them ._.

No, they don't deserve it.

The Joker..:

No, they don't deserve it.

That seems very rude. You don't know why a person might be in a situation of homelessness or needing money, and to say they don't deserve it is very harsh.
What if you were kicked out of your house? Or your job couldn't afford to keep you housed and fed? If you were in desperate need for food, and asked you'd want help right? You'd think you "deserve" it.

Yes, I give money when I see someone in need. My heart breaks for their situation and I want them to live a little better, so even if I can only give a few dollars, I know I might've helped them out, even for an evening.
I also love to bake and give baked goods away, or give little toys and trinkets I have around to little kids who'd like them in the nearest big city around me.
Christ said whatever we've done for the least of us, we've done for Him.
I like to think I'd do anything for any one who needs it.
I'm not perfect, but I want to help.

Sometimes. If they seem really obnoxious and rude, I just walk past them but if they just sit quietly and stuff, I give them a few coins.

In my home town there are very little homeless people. I hardly even see any in the entire country. But when i'm out of the country or if I happen to stuble upon a homeless person, I nearly always give them some change. There's most likely a very good reason for them to beg, most people prefer not to do that, so I see no reason why not. I like to give.

I live in a town so there are no homeless people. However, when I go to a city and see them I always am very effected by it.

I rarely give money now (so many look like they've just hopped out of their shower at home and sat on the street to try and bag money for lunch) but I have on numerous occasions given them the rest of my chips to eat.

My boyfriend and his friends once went around handing out lunchboxes and coffee to people they saw in the streets. He said it was the most rewarding thing he has ever done and you can't help but smile, knowing that you've made someones day. I really want to do that at one point.

Yes, I do. If I have extra change or something, I'll give what I have.

I do sometimes, but usually only a dollar or so. I don't like giving anything more than that because I don't want to be responsible for someone buying alcohol and dying from liver disease or getting drugs and overdosing. I've seen what drugs and alcohol do, so I don't want to feed the addiction...but then again, I like helping people, so I don't give enough that could buy anything more than a burger or so.

There aren't many beggars where I live, but occasionally someone will stop me for a few dollars for a bus ticket or something. I often give money, unless I honestly don't have any change on me.

No, because in the area of town I live in the homeless are severe drug addicts or prostitutes.

I have given money to elderly homesless people though.

It depends on whether or not I have change. In my town there aren't many homeless people, so I don't usually get the opportunity to do so.