I get off the freeway, on my way to work. The light changes red, and I'm the first one in the front of the line. I act like I'm messing with my stereo, because to my left is a 'homeless' guy who is begging for money. Some people behind me roll down their windows and do give him something. But I don't. I never have. And probably never will.
Don't get me wrong, I love to donate and help people. Each month I donate $20 to online sites. (Usually $10 to a site, and $10 to another.) But I don't support beggars. I feel you should go get a job, if you are really in that situation. I know the Goodwill will hire you. It's a start, right?
A friend's friend worked at a local bank. He made pretty good money, since he was promoted in the bank. Yet on weekends he dressed different, and stood out on a corner in town and panhandled. He made several hundred dollars doing this each month. That's pretty much a part-time job. (True story)
Yesterday, when I was at that light, and that guy was there, he had a shirt on that said: "I celebrated my birthday at Tachi!" (A local casino). Now, his sign could be true and he really is homeless and someone gave him that shirt, or he is a gambler with a problem and can't control his addiction. I'm not one to judge, but why not try to get a job?
Then there's the dudes with the funny signs. At the same corner, a guy held a sign that said: "Chip-And-Dale Dancer out of work" (he flipped it over) "At least I'm not a stripper!" Yes, you could see the people laughing, and some donating. Again, I acted like I was changing the channel on my stereo, because it's just awkward when they are staring at you.
I would love to pick up one of these guys and totally change their life around. If you have ever donated your time to a homeless shelter, you probably have heard the stories they tell, and these people have some incredible stories. They aren't all bad, and a lot of them have had a horrible, hard life. They usually claim to know God, but don't know where to turn to get away from their drug addiction. It's sad, and I hope they find some comfort in life.
With credit/debit cards being so popular now, I wonder if their profits have gone down since hardly anyone carries cash anymore. Maybe when cash doesn't exist, if this ever happens, that will end panhandling. Who knows. I just pray for these people, and hope that the money they do get doesn't go to drugs or alcohol. But because I know it will, or they are a fake, I will not donate to them. I'll buy them food, and if they want to wash my car or work somehow for me, I will gladly pay them. But sitting on a corner holding a sign is not working. Sorry, I'm not your customer.
About 12 years ago, I gave $10 (as that was the only bill I had in my wallet) once to a person only because he had a small child, who appeared to be 4 or 5 with him. Not knowing if his situation was true or not, I just couldn't drive past that scene and not do anything.
ReplyDeleteThat was the first and only time I have done that. When I exit the freeway and I see someone on the side of the road, I don't even turn my head. If there is more than one lane going in the same direction I need to make, I tend to get into that lane. I pretty much do whatever I can to avoid them.
It seems that I see a lot of signs stating that they are "veterans".