Giving To The Needy!!!!

FallRiverGuy · 06-30-2003, 01:13 PM

I don't mind giving food. I usually don't give to the people with signs. If I offer food and they turn it down, I walk away. NO big deal.

There is one fellow in Bend who sits by a few restaurants with his guitar. I'll give him my left overs every time I see him, and he plays a song in return.

I don't want to quit giving because some people are cheats and dishonest. I can find dishonest people in suits that will try to take my money in other ways.

ZACKYDAD · 06-30-2003, 11:09 PM

Over last weekend we were driving on 82nd ave.,and we spotted a family standing on the sidewalk with a sign that said,"We Are Hungry",I made a quick u-turn,and told my wife I'm going to give them ten bucks to get something to eat.The Dad came over and said,"Bless you Sir",I told him make sure you get something to eat.This weekend we drove by there again,to my surprise they were out there again,with the same sign.This honked me off!!!How could a guy continue to bring out his kids and wife doing this? Unless they we're on drugs.I think this guy could find some kind of work to at least feed his family.I don't know.Is this the norm for the area?What a Scam.

[ 06-30-2003, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

Small Fry · 06-30-2003, 11:24 PM

I can't say anything about the family you saw. But I used to drive by a guy several times a week. I stopped one day and offered to buy him lunch. He put his hand out and said he would rather just have the cash! Didn't want to miss the lunch time traffic. That's when I spotted to watch! I wear a $100.00 watch. His made mine look cheap. Then I looked at his nice shoes. Later that same week as I was headed back to the office I noticed him getting to a truck. Must have been at least a 1994 or newer Ford 1/2 ton with custom wheels and canopy. Nice truck! I know there are some folks in need of help. But this guy really burned my chaps. Scam you ask? In this case I would say so . I don't want to pass judgment on everyone, but I will be less likely to offer help in the future. Just my 2 cents

Thumper · 06-30-2003, 11:29 PM

Duh! Are fishermen just more gullible or what? This is a full-time occupation for the panhandlers. It has been written up in local papers in most towns. I was told by a somewhat attractive female 'handler that she makes over $40,000 a year, and could do a lot better if she had a cute dog and a kid or two in tow.

ZACKYDAD · 06-30-2003, 11:33 PM

Here I'm trying to teach my kids that giving to someone in need is the right thing to do,because we are more fortunate than they are,and this is what the good lord would want us to do.I don't think I'll do this again.

Rip'N'Lips · 06-30-2003, 11:39 PM

Zackydad-

Right message, wrong delivery...

Only donate to established charities as they are held accountable on where the money goes. We make donations to Salvation Army, and also do volunteer work to help get our children exposed.

I am sure that there are people who for legitimate reasons are on the corners asking for money, but they are few and far between. Donate to the shelter as they will make sure those who need it get.

Also, it is tax deductible that way.

Rip'N'Lips

Baskett-o-fish · 07-01-2003, 12:28 PM

I was in Bend last weekend with my girlfriend. I was heading into safeway and saw a man digging in the trash for food. I quickly went inside to get him a hot meal from the deli. I gave him the food and he was very appreciative. He went right over to the park bench and ate everything I bought. I'll never hand over cash to anyone. If they are hungry I figure they will take a meal when given. After watching the local Portland news station run a story on these people I was glade I had made the decision long ago not to give cash.

FallRiverGuy · 07-01-2003, 01:04 PM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

RvW · 07-01-2003, 03:51 PM

Theres plenty of resources for these people ready and waiting. Especially with children. They dont need cash, they need direction and a swift kick in the butt for bringing children into that situation.

Sad because there are people out there who DO need help due to such things alcoholism and mental illness (both still treated as social diseases) and they have to compete with the ones who are just too lazy to get a job or seek legitimate assistance which provides ops and demands to dig themselves out of the hole thier in.

HERE is a similar IFish thread from a few months back.

greenbuttskunk · 07-02-2003, 09:21 AM

I've given to the poor many times. I used to live in NYC and gave to panhandlers all the time, whe I was still naive. I learned the same lesson, offer food, or to go buy them food. On occasion I've even taken them for a meal and learned of there situation. If they refuse food, walk away. Too many times I witnessed the same guy coming out of a liquor store after I've given some change, makes me mad. Sad that drugs and alchohol have to poison lives and completely control them like that. I have a homeless guy who comes by my house every week to collect my returnables. I offer those too him, it's like it's his job. I too won't stop giving, I just use common sense and read the situation. Last thing I want to do is contribute to the destruction of another person.