BellaOnline Forums Money Charity Do you give money to bums?

It's so funny for me to see this post today. I was at the gas station and a woman asked if I had money to lend her to buy gas. She turned red, covered her face...It looked so geniune. I didn't have any cash on me, but I think I would have given her a couple of dollars.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I realize there are some that take advantage, but there are so many down on their luck right now. If they smelled like alcohol, probably not - but it's difficult to discern sometimes but there are times that I just feel it in my heart that this person would do well with the money.

I remember one time I was on my way to New Jersey from Maryland and I stopped at a rest stop. There was a man there telling a story about how he was stranded and didn't have a way home, ran out of money, car broke down, etc. I didn't have any cash to give him. Two days later on my way back, I stopped at the same rest stop. Can you believe the same man was there, with the same story, telling it like it had just happened? I couldn't believe his nerve. As soon as I told him that he had come up to me 2 days ago, he starting walking off really quickly.

I give food to homeless people all the time. When i lived in seattle I'd make an extra meal some of the time and bring it out to my local homeless friend.

I usually have extra food bars in my car so i can hand them out to ppl on the sides of the road who are hungry.

I never give out money. I have none to give. But usually I can pass along food to share.

If it feels good - do it. Some time you will win and some time you will loose.

Well said Astera!!!

I taught my children at a very young age to give to those less fortunate than themselves. Now they will empty the change from their pockets and give it to someone who needs it.

I always give money to people, no matter what they want it for. Who am I not to share what I have with someone else less fortunate, and who am I to judge that person for what they may need that money for? If someone asks me and I have it, I give, no questions asked.

Money is for sharing! That is what charity is all about. Most human beings are far from charitable, in fact, they are darn right greedy and selfish!

I firmly believe in the more you give, the more you receive and so far I have been lucky. I have never gone without food, water or a roof over my head.

And for that I thank God every day!

When I moved to Holland to live with my hubby I noticed he put 2 50 cent pieces in his pocket each day to give to beggars. He said he sees the face of Christ in them.

When I lived in the states and took my daughter to the mall and Subway sandwich shop I got an extra sandwich to give to the veterans at the parking lot entrance who put up a cardboard sign - I will work in exchange for food. I just gave them the food. I've read that 75% of homeless are mentally ill and I feel compassion for their plight.

The only people I see asking for money (in my home town) recently are those who have lost jobs. Most of them, you can tell, are only out there because they are desperately trying to support themselves and/or families. I always give whatever cash I have on me to them.

I have a friend who was once a drug addict. She lived on the street in a big city in Texas - under a bush. She said that the best thing anyone could have done for her at that time was to give her a plate of food. Money would have gone to drugs.

Lynne -

I would agree with that. Giving them food sustains their body hopefully long enough until they can get support and treatment. Giving them cash for drugs sends them closer to death.