Feeding The People On The Streets....

[Tyler]

So about a 2 weeks ago I was in the UDF buying gas and some pop. The lady who checked me out was very pleasent and even wished me a "blessed day" as I walked out. Today, on the way home from campus. I see this same woman on the side of the street holding a sign reading:

"Just lost job, hungry, please help. God bless"

Now, I believe her because well, I saw her working. She was standing near a McDonald's so I went and got her 2 cheeseburgers and some water. I drove up and she recognized me (I was wearing the same FSU hoodie both times) and she honestly looked like one of the most sad people I've ever seen. I handed her the food and she couldn't even talk, she just started to cry and mouthed thank you.

Not really knowing what to say or do, I said "I'm sorry, keep your faith, God is watching you. Be blessed," then I left. At the same time as I was leaving, I noticed that another bum with a sign saying "why lie? need beer" gave me a look like I was the devil.

I don't know if I did the right thing or not and now I feel guilty for some reason. Has anyone had an experience like this before?

[JOE]

that was really thoughtfull of you, i think giving them food is the best bet so they dont go spend your money on a 1/5th of some vodka, hah although i do respect the bum for being honest, you shoulda bought him a 40 lol

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

i usually give a few dollars but one time there was a guy who looked like a bum all dirty had a sign saying no job im poor please help but has i was stopping at the stop light this phucker pulls out a cell phone and starts playing with it..

[twoapplesplease]

nice gesture fsu I agree with giving food you never know what kinda schemes people are up to.
I also like the honest bumms you say they need booze money upfront,not that I would give them any money but at least there being honest about it.and for some with a real bad addiction who have been that way for along enuff time they almost get sick if they eat just about anything other than beer/booze and bread there systems are just so eeffed up from years of abuse that thee can't digest food properly.

anyway I like helping people who need it I feel that it has always came back my when I've needed help.

[Tyler]

Well I've never been in that position personally but I've needed help before too and I never wanted money I just wanted a place to sleep and something to eat and drink.

[twoapplesplease]

I've lived out of a van for awhile and was basically homeless and eating whatever scraps I could find or food That was offered to me from the local pantry's.Its really hard or it was for me to ask for help but I feel that if you want and need help and are humble enuff to ask for it then somehow it will come your way.We live in a great country with great people who are willing to help out those in need.
Its very hard to get a job when your in that sort of situation I can't imagine how bad it must be for those in need with our current economic downturn.

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

I've lived out of a van for awhile and was basically homeless and eating whatever scraps I could find or food That was offered to me from the local pantry's.Its really hard or it was for me to ask for help but I feel that if you want and need help and are humble enuff to ask for it then somehow it will come your way.We live in a great country with great people who are willing to help out those in need.
Its very hard to get a job when your in that sort of situation I can't imagine how bad it must be for those in need with our current economic downturn.

was the van down by the river? lol

[McLovin600]

1st off althought its so wrong the van by the river comment made me spit my milk out. Anyways, maybe im biased because I live in a big city and work downtown where there are insane amounts of homeless begging. Honestly, although I feel bad, I never give any of them money and never will. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the CVS across the street and seen malt liquor purchased with change. The MAJORITY (not all) of these people are homeless for a reason..usually bad decisions they have made and continue to make. There is even a lady around here who parades her 2 kids and makes them hold the signs (she always has a cigarette in her mouth and looks strung out as all hell and i dont feel bad for her at all, the kids on the other hand that shit is heartbreaking but who is the money going to? I can take a guess). Also these people around here are aggressive, they follow you and ask you over and over, they get on the train and give some long, loud speech (they even made laws where they ticket them for this, good luck collecting).Basically, they are just a huge fucking nuisance in my day to day activities (i would say between work, train and my neigborhood, Im solicited at least 20 times a day). Your situation is totally different and was very nice of you, but to me giving food = more money for someone to spend on something else. I donate directly to organizations instead, where money will be wisely used.

[McLovin600]

forgot this lol

[attachment=4175:avatar21568_1.gif]

[twoapplesplease]

I honestly LOL at the river comment as well.I did park at the river often but the most convent spot was at a 24 hour walmart.Cheap foods 24 hour john and cheap entertainment cruising the store ,plus Lots of people traffic so its not to hard to dissapear and be unnoticed ,plus it was winter and -20 when I was living out of my van with no heat.But I was able to get some cash working day to day jobs for a temp labor company so I was able to survive and pick myself back up after a few months.

Now for those other types of homless folk, they are only looking for a handout and are lazy for the most part and have no desire to get a job and do something about it.There happy just living on the margin and drinking snd smoking all day.If they actually wanted help they could get it.

[Sonthert]

They passed a law about aggressive panhandling around here and the homeless are much more polite now.

A few points I'd like to make.

These homeless people are human beings and should be treated with respect.

I have a friend who has hitchhiked and bummed his way across the country, been to all 48 of the states in the United States of America. He has told me about all of the strategies and ways he got food and found places to sleep and whatnot. A homeless person has nothing to worry about except maybe a place to ash up. There is no shortage of food for homeless people. Beyond homeless shelters and the like, grocery stores and shops will give away food that has expired but is still fine to eat. Many small stores, restaurants, etc. will give you a job for food for a couple of hours and even some cash. People who are newly homeless have to take a little time to learn the tricks, but people will get the hang of living for free.

I used to hang around with a very interesting guy who used to be a substance addict. He told me he would get $80-$120 dollars a day by doing nothing except begging randomly.

Homeless people who get a "good" corner will make as much as $300 a day in a big city. Tax-free. Thats like $80,000 a year. Tax-Free.

Some homeless people are just lazy, some are crazy, some are addicts, some just got a run of bad luck (although these are in the minority). Whatever. The reason why they're homeless is irrelevant. The United States is a great country. People can work their way up from nothing and they can get enough food and whatnot to survive in the meantime. Some people take advantage and prey on other people's sympathies and make a living out of it. A better one than most people do, too. I don't want to subsidize the ones that decided they're smarter or more clever than the rest of us. So, I can either take some time to ascertain which is which or just say no politely to each of them. I choose the latter.

There are all these nice, polite people out there that help out homeless people so they don't starve. It doesn't usually cost us anything, so I really think its great. I look at things in different scales to put them in perspective. If I were on a desert island with a group of 10 other people, nine of which worked hard and one who decided not to work and just takes from what we accomplished by working, I would object. If its a case of all of us picking coconuts off the ground, thats one thing, but if we organize ourselves into labor, I don't want somebody feeding off my labor because they feel they don't want to do the same type of work as me. If I decided to not work, I wouldn't ask anything of anyone else, though either. Thats the general point. If you were in that position, would you beg for money? If you say yes, than donate away. If you say no, feel right to tell them to kick rocks.

The part of the sign that says "God Bless" is what makes me suspicious. When they start using props and referring to religious figures, I get suspicious. Its not a passing thing. Begging should be considered performance art. They work at the same things a tarot card reader or Shakespearean Actor would. I've seen the same guy begging at a street corner here in San Diego for awhile now. He was obviously new at it for awhile and I've observed him getting better at the whole begging thing. He really is quite good at it now. They find out what gets more sympathy. They find out what plays better in certain areas and they use it. The bums at the beach have signs saying "Will work for beer". They won't. In wealthier areas, they play on the pain and misery angle. Pain, sickness, disease, things that bourgeoisie find repellent. They work at trying to find out how to get the most money they can. Not enough to live off of or get by, but to make as much as they can. I'm sure there are homeless people who really need help, and I've tried to help no less than a half a dozen of them, with no success. I tried reforming two hookers, too, but thats another story entirely. I guarantee: When you find a person thats worthy of your help, you will know it. Just don't fall for a sob story and some bullshit. I will probably get sucked in by others too. I'm stupid, I like walking through kicking machines. I can't help it. I've given them little work to do, here and there. Thats fine, but when you offer them minimum wage, they don't come back. They $20 for an hour of work thats worth $8. I'd even think about giving one of them a part-time job. None of them ever wanted a part-time job (the hookers either).

Let me bore you with one more story. I used to deliver home health care supplies. If you ever want to have a depressing job, thats it. Do you know what poor people do when they're going to die? They leave the hospital and get things delivered to wherever they live to cling tenuously to life. AIDS patients, terminal cancer, you name it, I saw it. I once delivered to the most disgusting, rat-infested shithole of a motel you've ever seen. The woman there had some circulatory problem (or diabetes?) and couldn't afford doctors or hospitals anymore. So she moved into a motel and got deliveries through Medical. The motel room hadn't been cleaned since the Nixon Administration. It stank of cat urine and feces, she had several cats running around. She, on the other hand, was in real bad shape. I developed that sense that people get working around the terminally ill for awhile, you can just tell who is really close to death. She was it. Maybe 6 months at most. She was missing her left foot from mid-ankle down. It was some complication from her disease. She never begged in her life, I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts. She would be one person that would deserve a handout though.

[Sonthert]

Also, never give money to people that talk about the amount of money. "Can you give me some money, any amount is OK." or "I need $3.39 for a can fix-a-flat for my car so I can get back to Modesto.". Those guys are full of it. My mom got hit up by some people outside a hospital. The people needed exactly $15. They promised to mail it back. Guess what? My mom's still not received the check. I saw the same guy ask for the same amount of money. Twice. Even after the first time, one of my customers gave him $2. I've chased enough beggars out of the lounge, they know not to come in here or beg outside the store, for the most part. I don't want my customers being bothered.

[StreetBob]

I tried to give food to a homeless man the other day, but he wouldn't take it. This guy walks the streets picking up leaves and trash, talks to himself and probably doesn't remember his last bath. I know a lot of these homeless people are in the position they are due to being Schizo... makes it very hard to function in society, and also makes it hard to trust anyone offering food. Very sad.

[Dr. B]

I used to be on a corporate street team that would promote everything from indie music (ironic right?) to fast food. Anyway, we got hooked up with a bunch of coupons for fast food places like Jack in the box, McDonalds, Subway, and BK over the years so we would just go pass those out to the homeless, even if they didn't ask.

That was my preferred method of helping. It's understandable in a schizo state to be unwilling to accept food from strangers, but unless they're really far off the deep end they should trust a restaurant. Even if they don't wanna eat, those coupons are like money to the ones who do want to eat. There exists a black market for food stamps - same deal here. I have no problem turning my back on the homeless who will not accept food or water.

That being said, when it comes to money I'm very, very skeptical. This is of course because as was mentioned earlier, my interest in giving them money isnt going to necessarily be acted on behalf of when they acquire it. I can't endorse a drug addict who needs money because chances are their habit is severing the channels through which they could be earning money, for instance.

I try to give when I can, but it's a difficult decision to make 99/100 times.

/rant

[StreetBob]

I used to be on a corporate street team that would promote everything from indie music (ironic right?) to fast food. Anyway, we got hooked up with a bunch of coupons for fast food places like Jack in the box, McDonalds, Subway, and BK over the years so we would just go pass those out to the homeless, even if they didn't ask.

That was my preferred method of helping. It's understandable in a schizo state to be unwilling to accept food from strangers, but unless they're really far off the deep end they should trust a restaurant. Even if they don't wanna eat, those coupons are like money to the ones who do want to eat. There exists a black market for food stamps - same deal here. I have no problem turning my back on the homeless who will not accept food or water.

That being said, when it comes to money I'm very, very skeptical. This is of course because as was mentioned earlier, my interest in giving them money isnt going to necessarily be acted on behalf of when they acquire it. I can't endorse a drug addict who needs money because chances are their habit is severing the channels through which they could be earning money, for instance.

I try to give when I can, but it's a difficult decision to make 99/100 times.

/rant

Food coupons is a great idea, thanks for sharing that.

Here is an applicable video on the subject from one of my favorite artists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CszG_bR35Mw...feature=related

[Dr. B]

I forgot to mention they weren't like "$.50 off a bic mac" it was straight up free shit. Free Jumbo Jack, free Tacos, Free 6" sub, etc...

[Sonthert]

Yeah, I've known some people that are straight up nutso. I think that's the clinical term for it...nutso. I know a couple of people like that. One of them thought her family was trying to poison her with the medicine...so she secretly stopped taking them. Even with a family around, its tough.

[Dr. B]

my aunt started to show some symptoms of a recluse earlier in the year. By that I mean the tendency to reject society for, as it appears to us members of society, no reason at all. I know the subject has been touched on before, but the homeless/impoverished tend to fall into a downward spiral which is excruciating hard to repel. Luckily, my father took my aunt in on two different occasions and she has gotten over the anxiety that people in state experience when they have to suddenly interact with people.

[Amn_sinclair]

You know this is something that really makes you think. You see all these people on the streets and honest to god i want to help them. Like eric said though you cant tell which ones need the help and which ones just want the hand out. I saw back in New Mexico one guy begging on the street corner by a hospital one day he was in a wheel chair and only had one leg.... an hour later after leaving the hospital i see the same guy putting a wheel chair in the trunk of a honda and walking with two legs. There are people like that all over.

Plus there are the few times that i have given someone a cheeseburger or a bag of chips and just watch them throw it away. They get their food at the soup kitchens and shelters. They only say they need money for food to try and get a little more sympathy. At least a majority do

[Hippo_Master]

All religious values aside, most bums are made of pure rotting evil and do not even deserve the air you breathe.

But in your situation, I believe you made a very perfect choice. I would have done the same thing.

[Scoop]

i don't give bums money anymore.

when i worked in westwood (by ucla), there were the same bums everyday. one dude would shake his cup whenever people walked by, and more and more violently if you didnt give him money. i wanted to punch him and his fucking cup. others would follow you around with sob stories...i wasnt having that shit.

they are aggressive in LA. im tired of being harassed for money. I've had people come into restaurants while im eating ask for money, ive had people wait outside 7-11 and expect my change and yell at me when i didn't give it to them.

i dont have money to live comfortably myself, i sure won't be giving any to homeless people.

[omgitsjimmy]

I've had bums who try to talk small talk and build a report only to ask me to buy them alcohol. I live in a college town, the bums here won't change. They aren't people who hit hard times, they've been bums for a long time and are perfectly healthy to work.

I do give money when its Thanksgiving, maybe they'll use it to call home or something.

[Arcane]

maybe its just my nature, but i usually give money or food to anyone that asks for it...even if it's just the change out of my pocket.

whether its a scam or not, my heart won't allow me to ignore someone wanting help...and as lame as it may sound, i have to fight hard not to tear up when i give them help.

[Tyler]

Hey Jay can I have some money?

[Arcane]

Hey Jay can I have some money?

it only works in person

now, if you fly to hawaii...and ask me, then i'd give you everything in my pocket...which at the moment is: 22 cents..