How do you help out the less fortunate?

[The motor guy]

I was in the truck a few days ago sitting at a traffic light in my little city and we have a few people who are a little bit physically challenged that I see occassionally, not that it is there fault at all. They could be military veterans for all I know. One guy was having trouble with his legs and must have taken 30 seconds to cross a tiny two lane road barely wide enough for two cars to pass at the same time and I was afraid someone was going to come around the corner and hit him with their car. I frequently see the same 3 or 4 guys walking along the road in my area. It just makes you think when you have it bad, many people have it much worse than you. I find it hard to believe they would keep living like that, I don't get it.

 

[clinebarger]

I don't.....For every legitimate person in need, There are a thousand trying scam/game their way through life. I don't know how to tell one from the other, So I don't participate.

 

[NO2]

Exactly what clinebarger said.

I frequently see panhandlers walking to their station after parking their late model SUV.

Last week I was panhandled at an Ohio rest stop by an blinged out couple in velour tracksuits, in a $45,000 car, who wanted 'gas' money. They didn't even bother to get out of the car.

[censored]!!!!

 

[SZR48207]

I donate often to Goodwill and my work does a lot of donation drives for natural disasters.

But ultimately being thankful that you are in good health and with a decent job means you can help buoy humanity so that the less fortunate have options for help.

 

[SteveSRT8]

We support a local charity for children with food and clothing. We also try to help the local halfway house which seems to primarily support vets. Typically we give clothing that our family members who work in elderly care get access to when someone passes.

No money to street folks, it's just to risky around here...

 

[53' Stude]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
I don't.....For every legitimate person in need, There are a thousand trying scam/game their way through life. I don't know how to tell one from the other, So I don't participate.

I can agree with that. I donate platelets once a month because cancer, leukemia, etc patients can use my platelets. Feels good knowing I possibly helped someone live longer

 

[Andrew1972]

We donate a ton of stuff to a local Shelter with resale shop that is for pregnant battered women. I tend to buy their stuff at the adjacnt gas station/convience store when in line.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I support our non-human friends consistently (I have an adopted Bengal tiger and a lion) with computer work/hardware donations and funding. I have given money to those persons at stop lights that really seem to need it and in the end, it is not my job to worry if they were legitimate or not, that position is already filled.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I donate to animal causes regularly. I'm also an organ donor in case something ever happens to me.

 

[skyactiv]

Drug users and sometimes alcoholics are the ones begging for money in public. You are enabling them and aren't doing them a favor.

 

[JeffKeryk]

But for the grace....

 

[RDY4WAR]

If I offer to help someone that's begging, it's not monetary. If they are asking for money to buy food, I offer to buy them some food, usually with the excuse "I don't have cash, just a credit card, but I'll buy you a meal." Not once have I been taken up on that offer.

I help out with local groups that find and train service dogs for veterans whenever I get the chance

 

[Tom NJ]

I'm on the board of our local food bank, plus I volunteer for them by picking up food from the supermarket and cooking for community lunches and fund raising events.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I donate to the local Goodwills and the local animal shelters.

 

[jeepman3071]

A lot of people who legitimately need help won't be the ones asking for hand outs. I've bought coffee for people on my way to work, helped single moms fix their car, etc. You can tell when someone really is struggling to pay for something, and they usually aren't begging for anything. They are often under-employed or stuck in a situation they couldn't help. Sadly a lot of people on the street have mental illnesses and/or drug problems and that's why they have no job because they can't get hired anywhere. As much as I'd love to help them I know that if I give them money it will only support the drug habit that is keeping them in their situation in the first place. There is a reason they are begging for money and not for a job.

 

[Bud]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
I don't.....For every legitimate person in need, There are a thousand trying scam/game their way through life. I don't know how to tell one from the other, So I don't participate.


This

 

[Highboy]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
I don't.....For every legitimate person in need, There are a thousand trying scam/game their way through life. I don't know how to tell one from the other, So I don't participate.


In Chicago, this lady was sitting on a bucket on a phone and and had a sign saying please help homeless.

 

[OVERKILL]

We donate to Value Village here locally. Clothing, home items..etc. Anything that's in good shape but we can't use or don't need anymore. I feel more confident that this stuff is going to end up with those who need it over feeding somebody's addiction with cash at an intersection. One of the local operations was found to be a complete, and well organized scam, which really opened some people's eyes.

 

[double vanos]

I agree with PSD; we donate to the local animal shelter either directly or via a resale shop called "Give me shelter". Also there's a men's shelter that we've donated to. Interesting story; we had a HE LG washing machine that for us was a paper weight, a real piece of junk. After 6 months it was replaced with a speed queen. Donated the LG to the men's shelter and they love it! Turns out it does it's best work loaded to its max capacity.

 

[Chris142]

The bums are all over here. You can't go to a gas station or store without being hit up. I stopped carrying cash as most work in groups and "rent" a corner or parking lot. 2x I have been asked if I would feed one and I have gone into Wendy's or McDonald's with them and paid for their food.