Went out for coffee and good talk with a friend this past Monday evening. He pulled into the parking spot and his door was immediately blocked by a very whiny and tattered older man who pleaded for $20 to buy food.
My friend is very generous, and has a big heart for the poor, but had no cash.
I had only a $5 bill and a loonie ($1 coin) and some small change so gave him $6.
He didn't thank me at all, but rather kept asking us to go down the street to an ATM and get him his $20.
We didn't. I don't know whether or not he was legitimately hungry, or a scammer.
So it goes. I do donate annually to both the Salvation Army and Siloam Mission, both of which provide food and shelter for the homeless. My wife donates to another food bank as well. Perhaps I should increase my donation a little bit instead, and refuse the beggars. It's always hard to know ...
My friend is very generous, and has a big heart for the poor, but had no cash.
I had only a $5 bill and a loonie ($1 coin) and some small change so gave him $6.
He didn't thank me at all, but rather kept asking us to go down the street to an ATM and get him his $20.
We didn't. I don't know whether or not he was legitimately hungry, or a scammer.
So it goes. I do donate annually to both the Salvation Army and Siloam Mission, both of which provide food and shelter for the homeless. My wife donates to another food bank as well. Perhaps I should increase my donation a little bit instead, and refuse the beggars. It's always hard to know ...
