Here in Philadelphia,PA, on a bus one day, I ran into a shameless, but typically apparently cute and loveable little old lady. She would actually board a trolley or bus and ask the first person she could, in the front of the bus, for “85 cents so I can get a cream soda”. Then, when someone gave her a dollar (!), she SHAMELESSLY turned to the next person, with the exact same line! She actually went from the front to the back of the bus doing this, and then back to the front of the bus again! She would actually collect dollars often - from people who could clearly see her game too!

I think she had it figured out - some of those bus routes can be 1 hour and longer! That’s longer than the subway rides!

But that ain’t all... I am a church musician and the church I play for often visits other churches in the area for afternoon services. Guess who snuck up on me, tapping me on my back one of those Sundays, asking for “85 cents so I can get a cream soda”!!!

It is not my job to judge and/or decide the worthiness of what the homeless person wants to do with the money. I don't think making them take whatever food and drink you feel like offering is right. I have often given money and gone into a nearby grocery store and bought prepared food items and also come out and given them those things as well with bottles of water, paper towels, and toilet paper.

I used to feel that way. Then I read an article about how it isn't my place to judge what they want the money for and, might I not want to escape somehow if I were homeless and hopeless? It struck home. So I went back to giving when I could. And either way I try to look people in the eye, address them as "sir" or "ma'am", and generally treat them like human beings.

In the Philippines syndicates threaten the poor who don’t pay them with mutilation, after they make them look sorry they get more money from sympathizers to pay for protection. I learned this from a native while I was there, he urged me not to give them money and make the gangs stronger. I felt terrible watching a one armed man trying to display and sell watermelon outside a restaurant, and the young children crawling naked on a broken sidewalk to a gaunt mother sitting on a dirty blanket with her hands out, it made me cry, while the natives I was with just kept laughing and smiling because they had become desensitized. The poor will not take food, because it’s money for drugs and paying protection that they want.

I just give them as much money as I can. It seems to me the most humiliating experience in the world to have to beg people for money for any reason, and then have some of them say horrible things, and not give any money besides just because they are in a better financial state and feeling so superior to the the person humbling him/herself. I don't care what the reason, if they have to beg, I give money and only hope it is enough to help in some way. Such a sad situation. I have given some of them temporary shelter at my house as well. No danger. I shoot expert, and have attack dogs. Never needed either.

Look at the subway trains here in Philly PA. They are usually 3 or 4 cars long, running a short route of 30 - 45 minutes. If they ride that train from beginning to end, and get $1 per train car.
That’s a good $10 - 12 per hour TAX FREE INCOME! Even HALF of that is a good income, and many get QUITE more. Some $2 - $5 per train!

They make it bad for the worthy. But that’s the problem with homelessness... ALL kinds of people abound, most down on their luck and income. AND many have considerable mental and social problems. Many are hardened criminals! This puts you in a crowd of what can be desperate people who have nothing to lose, and don’t care about much more than their own needs. Even in a group of WONDERFUL people, a small group can worsen everything for everyone else. Even MORE so in the homeless community!

you should buy them something rather than give them money maybe

I have no problem giving spare change to someone even if they're just going to use it for drugs or alcohol. It all depends on how I feel when I approach them. If they're scary or obnoxious or demanding, I'm less inclined to help.

When in the midst of a profound struggle such as poverty and homelessness (many of them vets) because of the physical and mental issues that seemed to take over, the fact that they're going to want to hide away from it makes sense. And if they can get the money without having to fob or mug... that's better for everyone.

Often as I pass them on the street, I will wonder, "What's their story? What would I think if I were watching a movie starring them?" Ultimately I can never know, but I've got plenty of drama in my own life to draw on to give me an idea of what could have led them there.

The best way to truly help the homeless - is to donate clothing, food, and money to your local shelters. They provide services for those who really need it !

I've got so many stories about so-called "homeless" folks, that are ripping off the public, they would fill pages of this site. Plus I don't have the patience to type it all !

I will not give them money, however I buy food and give them food and something to drink(not alcohol). That way I know that they are not going to buy drugs, or go get drunk with the money.

There was this woman who worked the parking lots in my town. After the second time I watched her afterwards. Found that she had a drug problem, was on Welfare (I am a big supporter of Welfare, but not of scammers), and the car she said was out of gas, the reason she needed money, was fine.

Several times I have offered food/beverage instead of cash, to be told to go fuck myself. Says it all.

How do you reach the determination that anyone uses what you give for nefarious reasons? Do you follow them? Is it just your assumption?

Understand your frustration, but I disagree... I don’t donate money to cancer research and then ask them what they’re doing with it. When someone runs a marathon, or sell raffle tickets, or does something else to raise money for charity, I don’t expect them to tell me exactly what the money is for. Homeless people face enough judgment, if they ask me for a dollar and I have it to spare I will give it. Once I make the decision, it’s no longer any of my business to know what is done with the money.