When I was younger and I didn't know how to say no I would give them money. Nowadays I offer to get them a water bottle and some dry food that will last them.

I have but not anymore after learning how most of time it's a scam.

Some fast food restaurants are always hiring.

Someone gave him a $2 Bill, I've not seen one of those in years.

 

Got three of them the other day at the ballpark. I have four total. I figured I'd hold onto them as I get them and give them to my kid someday.

I won't give to any of them in the Ashland area, pretty much all of them are scammers that likely make a couple hundred dollars a day. They're set up in several locations around the city, mainly downtown and actually work in shifts, seriously they do shift changes just like they're working a real job. To top it off, Ashland actually has a really good support groups for the homeless and needy, providing shelter, three meals a day, clothing, home appliances and furniture, even free home repair, a tool library and grass cutting. Needless to say, if your standing on a corner in Ashland asking for money, it's either for things that are not necessities or it's your full time job.

I have stood in line at the grocery store and watched a young mother or a senior who was putting things back cause they couldn't afford it and bought their groceries.

 

I have bought meals numerous times for people who were hungry. I usually give them a fewbucks too. I figure if they are happy with food then genuinely need it.

 

I have had more people say no to food then I have had say yes.

 

I have bought gas for folks that needed gas.

 

I almost never give cash except for like the situation above.

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.

 

I may pass that along to my cousin. He needs to put a bucket on his list.

Again, keep this in mind. Nine times out of ten, when you give them money, you are enabling drug abuse in your county. Instead, buy them food or groceries if they will take it. But they are probably gonna want your Jeffersons to buy pills. Sad but true.

It's pretty obvious in downtown Cincy to be able to tell who needs it and who is looking for their next fix money.

The last time I did it was outside One Stop Liqour in Bellevue. Guy just made eye contact with me, I asked if he wanted anything he said just a Mountain Dew. So I bought the Dew and gave him a $5 handshake. A few fast food joints right by there. No to guys on the exit ramps

I ran the Bock Fest 5K in OTR in March and a dude hit me up, I said man you have nicer shoes than I do

NEVER! I have worked with hundreds, maybe thousands of homeless people. I can't tell you how many times I have counseled drug addicts who say they have no money to pay a very nominal fee to get into rehab. When I ask them where they get money for drugs, they always say, pan handling. It never occurs to them to pan handle for the money to get into rehab.

 

I spent years volunteering in Covington at a free clinic for homeless people. Worked with a nun. Even she would never give a client money. Most cities have soup kitchens and shelters. Despite this, she always had a few extra Frisches Coupons. She also had a supply of hats, gloves and socks, but NEVER money.

 

We gave our clients free (non addictive), medication for their illnesses. One day we got a call from a local businessman. He wanted us to know that he saw one of our clients trade his free inhaler for what appeared to be a joint.

 

If you really care about homeless people, donate your money and/or time to a shelter, soup kitchen, or clinic. There are some genuinely sweet people who are homeless and in great need. They are not the ones who are out there panhandling.

One time, I saw a pan handler with a sign that said "I am not going to lie, I want money to buy booze,"

 

ALMOST gave him money for honesty.

 

If you really care about homeless people, donate your money and/or time to a shelter, soup kitchen, or clinic. There are some genuinely sweet people who are homeless and in great need. They are not the ones who are out there panhandling.

 

To clarify, are you saying those who do give money from time to time to panhandlers don't really care about the homeless? Because that's certainly the way it comes across.

To clarify, are you saying those who do give money from time to time to panhandlers don't really care about the homeless? Because that's certainly the way it comes across.

 

That's not how I took it at all.

That's not how I took it at all.

Me either.