Yes, I take the contrarian approach and chose not to make them invisible. A dollar or two makes their week.

Check out the shoes on some of these folks. Nicer than what I wear. I have also heard of professional pan handlers so I tend not to give to them. I did see a man on my way south one day while I was getting gas. He was Picking up cans and rummaging thru a dumpster in the lot next to me. I went over to give him cash and he refused it. Told me he was doing just fine. To wilscat's point, the dude was working.

Also, has any one offered work to one of those that will work for food? That never happens either.

I heard someone say that in Louisville(?) they now have signs listing a charity that helps the homeless posted in places where panhandlers stand by roads requesting people donate to the charity instead of giving panhandlers money. Anyone seen those signs or heard of that?

 

I have not seen those signs, but I have seen that they are becoming a thing in other cities.

Check out the shoes on some of these folks. Nicer than what I wear. I have also heard of professional pan handlers so I tend not to give to them. I did see a man on my way south one day while I was getting gas. He was Picking up cans and rummaging thru a dumpster in the lot next to me. I went over to give him cash and he refused it. Told me he was doing just fine. To wilscat's point, the dude was working.

Also, has any one offered work to one of those that will work for food? That never happens either.

Yep, asked one if he'd like to work for cash the next day putting up hay. He declined. Must have been selective about which "work" he was willing to do for food.

Generally speaking, no. If they are jamming out or possess a unique talent, then sometimes I will. At least give me some entertainment. I am sucker for the folks that beat on 5 gallon buckets.

I don't know about your area, but it is not a 98% scammer ratio in Louisville. But, we have significantly more homeless than smaller communities.

 

In my area, they pull old dirty clothes out of the trunks of their Mercedes, then walk across the street to Walmart and pretend to be homeless. I'm sure it's different in big cities.

Random Louisville homeless stat:. A few years ago, 1 in 9 JCPS students were homeless. That has sharply decreased. But think about that.

It depends on where they're at.

 

If they're panhandling as I'm walking into a gas station/Walgreens or somewhere like that, then no. I ask them what they want from inside.

 

If I'm not going in to one of those places, and have cash on me, I'll usually give them my money. It's extremely rare that I have cash on me though.

How about the people that hold up the signs that say, "I am not going to lie, I want a beer"? I still get a chuckle each time, but they don't get my money either.

 

Unless they are beating on a 5 gallon bucket.

Random Louisville homeless stat:. A few years ago, 1 in 9 JCPS students were homeless. That has sharply decreased. But think about that.

 

I serve on a local ending metro-homeless task force. To clarify, homelessness is more encompassing than just someone living on the street. You may know this, but there are certain criteria that define what it means such as displacement, without beds, etc. Still incredibly sad.

I serve on a local ending metro-homeless task force. To clarify, homelessness is more encompassing than just someone living on the street. You may know this, but there are certain criteria that define what it means such as displacement, without beds, etc. Still incredibly sad.

 

I absolutely do know. And that instability affects their ability to succeed in school. And if they don't succeed, the schools that they attend (and there are high numbers at a number of schools) get labeled as underperforming, put in priority status, suffer staffing and leadership instability.

 

I used that student statistic because it is a very good indicator of the real problem of homelessness. Not just that people can truly be homeless, but in the way it impacts our communities.

I seldom do, occasionally at a Bengal Game after several beers or something of that nature.

 

I was downtown Nashville on a Sunday morning walking around, and this guy with a guitar started chatting with me. I was alone as everyone with me was still asleep from the prior evenings drinking. He asked where I was from etc. etc. Then asked where I was going, and I told him I was walking over to see the Titans stadium. I almost freaked out when he asked if I care if he walked with me, but he turned out to be a super nice guy. We walked back from the stadium and I asked if he wanted breakfast, and he said no thanks I've already ate. He picked up his guitar and said well it's time to go sing for my supper. I gave him $20 he said god bless and off he went.

 

I have no idea what the guy did with the $, but in my eyes he was a nice person and I thought that was the least I could do.

Was in charge of a Rest Area Cleaning crew here in NKy for years and our policy was to ask those who were panhandling if we could call the police for them and then the police would then get in touch with some local Churches who could help those truly in need. I can promise you that more 99.9% said don't call the police, then we would inform them that they needed to more on our we would call the police. Trust me, I have heard it all from heading to a funeral, to got robbed on the road, to running out of gas, but as I said, they all said not to call the police when asked. Oh and those who really needed help, the local Police through many local churches did indeed help them. I had a very strict policy that my guys were not allowed to give their own money to someone panhandling, for the good of all my employees.

Never give $$$, I do keep water and sports drinks in my car and work truck. And freely hand out both to folks waiting at intersections. I've never had a pan handler turn down a drink or not say thank you.

 

And if Mrs. C1 packed too big a lunch or xtra snack bars I give those away as well. I'd like to think if the shoe was on the other foot someone would extend the same courtesy to me.

I have put gas in a couple of peoples cars who asked me if I could loan them some gas money, didn't give them cash used my card, so I guess they truly needed gas. Had another guy drive off when asking for gas money and I pointed him to the gas station and told him to meet me there. I guess he just wanted the money for something else.

 

I have given people money a few times in the past, but no longer. There are other ways to give where you can ensure your money is being used in a good/proper way. Your local church is one way to give. There are also charitable local organizations (in most areas) that help those in needed locally. Local food pantries/shelters are always in need...not just money but volunteer services as well.

 

We have people stop by my small church quite frequently asking for money to help pay electric bill, water bill, etc. At one time money would be handed out on request, but no longer. Now, when people stop and ask for money and they are asked to provide an address, a bill, the church will write a check to the electric/water company, etc., that offer is turned down, they want cash. Guess what? That money was never going to be used in the way they were leading on.

 

For those that hand out money...I KNOW it's done from the heart and I know it brings about a feeling of satisfaction or warmth thinking you have helped someone. Problem is, more likely than not that money is not used in a good way. There are better ways to give and I urge people to look into those alternate ways.