Yeah I would if I had some. I would be much happier to give food to a homeless person than money because i just know that many homeless people would just spend the money on drugs or alcohol rather than looking after themselves.

I like to think that I would, especially if you asked for food as opposed to money like joeysefika said. The other week I was walking to work and a homeless woman asked me to buy her some food or a coffee and I didn’t have my wallet; it broke my heart to say no to her, because I could tell she genuinely just wanted to eat (not buy smokes or whatever) and I couldn’t help her out. So yes, if you asked me for some food, I would be happy to give you some.

Not sure why’d I’d be carrying food walking down the street, but if I happened to, I would give you some.

There’s this guy at a stop light I pass on my way to work, sometimes he sells papers, sometimes he only has a sign. Either way, he’s always there and I give him a dollar when I stop cause i admire his work ethic and know he needs it, even if it is to buy booze.

If I had food I’d give it to you. In fact, if I ever have leftovers, and I happen to walk by a homeless person, I give it to them even if they don’t ask.

I am a total softy. I would probably let you sleep at my RV. But I have been homeless for a while. It is a hard hole to dig yourself out of. Try to find any job without a phone number and address.

One time I drove past a bum that was out in the cold, and I was going to get some food on my lunch break…on my way back to work I passed him again, but had bought him a nice warm coffee and a dollar double cheese burger. He said thank you, and then asked me for money.

I was kind of annoyed when he did that, though I can’t really blame him. It probably isn’t that often you get someone who tries to help you out in a situation like that…

Sometimes if I’m leaving a bar, bums will approach me and they’ll say something like “hey man, I’m going to be real, I need to get my drink on, can you spare a buck?” and I’ll respond back with “dude, I totally understand, thanks for being up front about it, here’s a buck”.

This reminds me now of a conversation I had….someone told me that people who have jobs, and actual lives, will go out looking like bums just to try and make extra money on the side ( I really hope it isn’t true ).

This is interesting because sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. I think sometimes I judge them. I mean I gave this homeless guy a ride one time, but I have also screamed at a guy when he was just trying to wash my winshield. I felt bad about it later, but that’s no excuse. It’s like sometimes I pick and choose (who is worthy of my help)and I don’t know why. I know that I am no better than they are.

@sundaybastard I think we are better than they are…at life atleast. They obviously have made some pretty bad decisions, I don’t really see what would make them our equals. We are all working and functional people paying our taxes and making this country run day in and day out. There is no way I’d ever consider myself equal to a homeless person, or bum.

I would give it to you, probably – depending on how you asked. I have certainly given food to homeless (or nearly homeless) people in the past – and gotten hugged for it, heh. That was an experience. :)

I would also give you money for alcohol/drugs if you seemed so far gone that keeping you high was the kindest thing I could do.

I may or may not give you food depending on whether I have it to spare, but in either case I wouldn’t ignore you. I make it a point to make eye contact and talk to the person, like a person, in either case.

I might, i guess it depends on my mood. There are a lot of bums around where I go to school at so they are pretty ruthless most of the time so it doesn’t matter what their story is I usually don’t want to hear it. Chances are I probably wouldn’t, also there are so many people around here who do help homeless people out, I know that person isn’t going to starve just because I said no.

I will give you food of course. I will buy you food if I don’t have any. But I’ve seen hoemless guys throw food (and change) back at people in NYC! Though bums here people.

Definitely, I’d give you some food.

The problem is that many homeless folks don’t ask for food; they ask for cash, and when you offer to buy them something to eat (rather than giving them the cash), they curse you.

I won’t give a panhandler any money at all, because they never use it for food.

I know of this woman who lives under a highway overpass, and is very good at looking forlorn and dejected. She panhandles every day, and makes no less than $250/day, which she uses to buy Heroin.

What a totally wasted life. She needs to go to a homeless shelter, and be mercifully “put to sleep.”

There was a guy standing outside the supermarket asking for change so he could get something to eat so I went inside and bought him some hot food and a cold meal for the next day. I brought the food to him and went in to shop. When I came out the food was dumped on the ground a couple of feet from a garbage can and the guy was gone.

In my city the mayor has initiated a program called “Care Not Cash” that provides people with a clean, safe place to sleep and store their stuff. They are provided with job counseling, computer access and a telepone number. There is public transportation tickets and hot meals provided through local churches. The only thing that is expected is they stay sober and try to find work. For many years the homeless received a monthly $300 check but no more. The people who fight the new plan are the professional homeless “advocates” because their organizations have lost their enabling funding.

If I had food I’d give it to you. If not I would probably give you a couple of bucks.

The old USSR had a “unique” way of dealing with the homeless, in 1980.

That was to be the year that the Summer Olympic Games would be held in Moscow, and the Soviets were concerned with putting their national capital in the best-possible light, so the rest of the world would see the “beauty” of Communism at work. One problem that needed to be addressed, was the proliferation of homeless street people in the national capital. Their numbers were increasing, and they were considered an embarrassment to the Russian Politburo.

Over a period of several nights, many boxes of chocolate candy were thrown into dumpsters all over the city. All of the candy in those boxes had been treated with liberal amounts of poison, so any dumpster divers would find the chocolate boxes, open and eat the contents, then fall asleep and die.

The government (at that time) issued statements publicly deploring what had happened “to our less-fortunate citizens,” and the militia vowed “a thorough investigation,” which, of course, never happened.

The end result was that visitors to the national capital in 1980 were not “bothered” by panhandlers, mostly because of the fact that those who were still alive, decided to “be elsewhere”.

if i knew you were ‘the sunday bastard’, no. Otherwise I’d give you some money or offer to buy you a meal.

I had the same experience as galileogirl – gave food, and it was thrown out. If someone asked, I would give, but I never give money.

I once saw this dude sitting near a bus stop, holding a sign that read, “HUNGRY”

I knew that this guy was someone who only wanted handouts, and had no desire at all to work, so I created my own sign with arrows pointing in his direction, that read: <<<<LAZY!

I then sat down near him.

My picture was taken a lot, that day…

I gave a homeless man a chicken once. lol I was with my mom. She was all about the giving. I’d give homeless people food, but probably not money. I wish I could adopt one and bake him cakes or something. It makes me so sad to see them. :(

Keep in mind that many of the homeless are that way, by choice.

That’s even more sad.

yeah, emily, i work in the field of social services in a public agency (meaning the government) and there are shelters, food pantries, places they can go to get a meal, programs to enable them and empower them, and they choose not to take advantage of these programs for various reasons. they have a lot of resources in a lot of communities and like jack said, they choose their way of life and “flying under the radar.” the thing about going to shelters or cooperating with a social service agency are that there are rules, for example one rule might be they have to stay clean (meaning take drug tests to prove they’re not doing drugs, or they could enter a program) and they don’t want to abide by these rules. why? maybe because they’re doing drugs. i saidiMAYBE. Not all homeless people are doing drugs, I’m aware of that.

If a homeless person asked me for food I’d probably drop my own ass! They always ask for cash and after seeing what one guy did with the money I’d just given him I just can’t force myself to do it again.

However, if you asked me for food, I would probably take you somewhere and get you something to eat. The streets I usually walk in Chicago are right downtown so hell, if we were close enough I’d probably just take you to the Berghoff. There’s a lot to be said about what a good meal can do for someone physically and spiritually.

Sometimes I would give them food if I had food with me. I’m like Mr Bastard, I guess it depends on a lot of things going on that day. Food is one issue, I would and have many times given a guy a buck or two with his hand out. I don’t have much money, but am pretty damn sure I won’t leave much on the table at check out time. Yesterday a dude on the street corner near where I was driving my (school) bus had a sign out asking for cash. It is school policy to stop far enough behind the car in front to be able to pull around it w/o having to back up. The guy was several feet off to my left/ He yelled, “whats the matter you don’t want to get cose to a needy guy/” I was going to ignor him until I saw he was smoking and had a ‘40’ in a paper bag sitting on the ground. So I blew my gaskets and told him to stuff the cigarette and sign where the sun don’t shine.

@Random: “bums” actually being posers looking for cash? yes, true. A couple of years back, San Antonio’s WOAI did an undercover spot on the folks begging at corners in the city. There were three or four of them that were caught walking back to their vehicles, and the cars/truck they were getting into were decent rides.

It sucks b/c now in the back of my mind, I always keep wondering if that person at the corner is really in need, or just scamming good-minded people. As a result of the news piece, I now make it a point to not give to the individual homeless, but rather donate to the shelters/food banks where I’m at least 95% certain the money will be doing the greatest good.

I see two people everyday get on the train with their trash bags going back to the burbs from the city. One’s a crazy broad (“Spare some chaaaaaange”) and one’s a young guy (“Help a young guy out?” “Hey I know the military is hiring and so is that McDonalds across the street. Get bent douche.”). There’s a guy on the Adams St bridge that switches which leg is hurt on a day to day basis. He makes me laugh.

I would say, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you now.” Then I’d keep walking.

I do it everyday.

I have lived in Chicago and Detroit. My opinion on this has changed over the years.
My current answer would be that in all likelihood, no, I would not give a person food. I tend to view people more along the lines of jca, above. Especially in large cities, the infrastructure is there for them to get help, especially food.

Where I currently live, there was a big push to get people off of the streets, into housing, job training etc. Amazingly, there are people who WANT to live on the streets. You read that correctly. I am not saying it is a majority of people….but there are people who choose to continue to live on the streets. For a multitude of reasons.

@deaddolly LOL! Hey thank you! haha

@empressPixie I know I have probably said that a thousand times too.

@tWrex HAHA LMFAO “Spare Some Chaaaaaaaaaaaaange”.

@Cardinal They Love a good old fashion 40 oz.!

@jca You are spot on. I was hired to find this 55 year old homeless man by his sister. Their mother died and he got a rather large inheritance. I tried every shelter and they knew him and told me he was just one of those guys that wanted to be homeless and that he did not drink or do drugs. He was an army veteran with a degree in some kind of engineering, but anyway I told the social workers at the shelter to call me if they see him but none of them ever did(I don’t think they wanted to). When I showed his picture at this one shelter. These two homeless guys got in my face “What do you want with him!”. They must have liked him. I don’t know, but I never found him and I really wanted to. That guy lives under the radar!

Since you actually asked for food, then yes. I’ve gotten food for people many times in NY. A couple of times I’ve gotten food for whole families out on the street. It’s a lot different than you knowing they’re on something, or if they just ask for money.

I know a lot of times, people ask for money. I usually ask them what they’re going to do with it. If they say, “Get some food”, I usually take them to a restaurant (McDonald’s, or a deli) and get the food for them right there on the spot.

I would give it to you, because you would be the first to ask for food, most ask for money with alcohol on their breath and for them I give half of the time just to get them on there way.

@RandomMrdan
It amazes me how callous people are towards the less fortunate.

but, as jack said, many CHOOSE to be ‘unfortunate’.
anyone see the story (orpah, i think) about the social experiment where this guy picked a homeless man and gave him, i think it was 100K. The guy gave a lot away, bought a lot of things, had an appt, gf, truck…and spent it all. gf left when 4 was gone. he was back in the street.
Did he ever think of getting a job? buying a cheap car etc? Makes you think.

All this saddens me. The amount of homeless persons with severe mental illness is staggering. Addictions are a huge problem as well Then there are those who were fired, and end up living on the streets because they had nowhere else to go. Living on the streets, with no food, shelter, or sense of security isn’t fun. Sure there are the “urban outdoorsmen”, but those are the people who don’t ask you for anything. There is no definitive way to tell which person is which.

Just because we all have anecdotes about those horrible homeless people, doesn’t mean we should dismiss them all.

There is this guy that I see often when I’m coming home from work. He is always clean, he has a cart full of blankets and books, and he has the sweetest, smartest dog. Whenever I see him I stop my car to ask him if he needs anything. He usually
says “no man, bless you”. I always give him money and tell him it’s for his dog. I’ve seen him about 5 times now. When he sees me pumping gas he tells his dog,
“look, that’s the lady that gives you food”. There’s an anecdote for you.

@deaddolly
There may be some who are lazy, or who “choose” to be on the streets, but that number is very small. The assumption that most are that way is a severe misconception—one that allows people to feel comfortable with doing nothing.

I most definitely would find some food or give you my own. I’m not for giving money away to homeless people for the exact reason mentioned multiple times above- fear they will harm themselves by buying drugs or alcohol. My first experience doing this was when I was 6. We were in L.A. visiting my uncle and, being from a small town, I’d not seen many homeless people at all. As I waited for my mom to finish her shopping in a store on Santa Monica’s Promenade, an elderly black man came over and sat next to me. He never asked for anything, but simply smiled a weary grin. My heart just sank, so I immediately got up and bought him a hotdog from the nearest food stand. As I gave it to him, his eyes lit up and said, “God bless you.” Just then, my mother emanated from the store she was in and I joined her. To this day, no one knows about this except those of you reading this thread. I don’t like tooting my own horn.

Considering I live in Portland, Oregon, where meth users abound and are constantly on the rise, I will never, ever give a homeless person cash. I remember being on the MAX (light rail system), heading home a long time ago, when this youngish bum got on. He was taking turns walking up to each and every person, asking if they could spare some change. Some people gave change to him, most did not. He walked up to this tourist (From Australia, I think) who didn’t know how to respond to him and you could tell she felt pretty badly. She offered him an apple that she had, because she didn’t have any change. He said he couldn’t eat it because his teeth were too bad and he asked her for change again. Before she could answer, a local jumped in and said “What can you eat? I’ll buy you a sandwich and soup or just soup if you want.” The bum just stood there, stuttering, making up bullshit excuses about why he couldn’t eat what the guy was offering. The guy was so fed up (and saw it coming from the beginning) that he got this look on his face, like a mix of hatred and disappointment and said, “You’re pathetic. Get off the MAX, you didn’t pay your fare and I’m tempted to call the cops. Score money for your high somewhere else, asshole.” All the bum did was stare at him for a second, say “Okay” and leave. I don’t blame the other rider. When they can willingly kill themselves, try to lie to you about why they want the money, etc… They can fuck off. And because we have such a problem with meth here… Bums like that are not hard to find.

@DrasticDreamer: The sad thing is, they often don’t have a choice. Killing themselves is not something they do willingly, but rather something they are doomed to, because of their addiction. Of course, using meth or any other drug is a choice to start off with, but with hard drugs like those addiction quickly kicks in and overcomes power of will.

What they really need is proper help to kick the habit, but again, getting that help when you are living on the street is not an easy thing to do. I find it hard to believe that some people consider themselves ‘better’ or ‘more human’ than homeless people. For many of them, they are not homeless as a result of their bad decisions, but rather because of dysfunctional families, the presence of drugs in their early life, and a lack of proper grounding as children to help ‘leave the nest’ as functioning members of society. Unfortunately, I think this is where society really fails these people (granted, some do not want help, but many more do) because the preventative measures in place are not working and the systems to get them back on their feet aren’t either.

With the vaiety of aide available, they DO have a choice.

I will never be without a job…why? because I’m intelligent and able to put together a good resume, have good references, and keep myself clean and well kept.

The homeless are homeless for reasons that they probably could have controlled, they jus mis-managed their lives. I feel sorry for them, but they are probably the ones to blame, they should do something about it.

Tell that to the employees of Enron.

There are always jobs out there. I had to ‘start over’ 3 times in my life, due to ‘downsizing’. You do what you can and you don’t give up.

Yup. Let’s all just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. I hope you are voting for McCain, you agree with him 100%.

@deaddolly, exactly my point, if you want a job, and you are consistent, you will find one somewhere, whether it’s fast food or what, you can get something.

@randomMrdan Yes, I totally agree.

Possible exception is the mentally challenged. I see ppl on the streets all the time thay should not be there. It costs our mental health hospital $1000 a day to keep such a person. So they stablize them with meds and let them loose. WTF? Not saying I have the answer; but that is messed up.

yeah, I suppose that is a legit excuse not to have a job…

reminds me however of a few trips I’ve taken to Meijer, and I remember seeing young adults with down syndrome working there bagging groceries. I say good for them, keeps them busy.

But yeah, the ones in the hospitals are quite a bit different.

Agreed. the down’s kids are great to see. If you really want to better yourself/situation; there are ways.

I would give you some food. I love everyone and I love to help people.

I’ve bought food or shared food with homeless before. alot would have to do with the way you presented yourself. however not homeless but once I had a guy walk up to me as I was leaving a dept store asking for some money. said he was from out of town and his car was out of gas. He proceded to talk using what I deemed as some inappropriate words and I wasn’t impressed with his attitude so i declined to help. Had he asked a little nicer, he may of gotten further help.

@scubydoo, he wasn’t out of gas. He wanted to go get drunk on a 40.

My two cents worth, there are many reasons people are without homes to live in, mental,loss of job, run away as a kid, lack of education, and of course drugs and over use of alcohol. Now if you want to dig deeper into why people get into this situation, can it be? Child abuse, not being able to handle what you did in the military, can’t find a job that pays enough to live, aids, again mental. Now once you get into this situation, really think of it… you have no place to live, no place to take a shower, no place to keep personal things, I have read on here you can find a job…how? when you can’t clean your self up for a interview…how? when you don’t have any nice clothes or shoes to wear…how? when you don’t have a address to receive mail or a phone for anyone to let you know you got the job? What about a alarm clock? And I can go on and on and on…Now the drinking and drugs…I’m sure when you are homeless you feel hopeless and worthless so what do you do with the little money you can get from people…drink or drugs to try to escape reality for a little while? If you think about it when you are homeless you are really stuck, everyone is looking down on you, no one really wants to help you, and if you are not showering and wearing clean clothes you aren’t going to get a job and as for help yes you can get little help, but for a man, no one is going to set you up with a place to live trust me I know that from experience. So all I’m saying is think about what put them in their situation before you call them a bum and stick your noise up at them, because they are people just like us and I bet for some of them if they had a little help they could bounce back and I’m not talking about a little food or pocket money (a place to really clean up and properly prepare for work) they would jump at it and be productive citizens again.

@hammer43 There are lots of places in my area for a person to get help.
If they want it.

@ hammer43, there are places one could go for employment, shelters, and companies that will get homeless a place to bunk up with more people in similar situations, and get them jobs in fast food industry, and so on. UPS pretty much hires anyone with two arms and legs, and willing to work 5 hours a day. As long as you have a method of transport (bus, walking, bicycle, etc).

@deaddolly you are probably right.

@randomMrdan not here in Michigan we are having the worst unemployment rate in the US and it is getting worse a buddy of mine was unemployed for thirteen months before getting a temp job.

I guess the point I was trying to making is when you look at someone that is homeless, what is there story? No one is born saying I’m going to abuse drugs and not try to take care of myself.

I’ve given food to the homeless before. I’ve also not given food to the homeless before. Really depends on the day and a great number of other factors.

Yes, me too. I gave 10 euros to a begger woman in Rome once. The look of suffering in her eyes made me want to help her. She nearly kissed my feet.
Best of all it made her smile. Was she a good actress or deserving? I’ll never know. I felt better seeing her smile tho.

If I had food and or money, I would donate some items of sustenance to you.

I would give you food and ask you if there’s anything else you need, then do my best to make that happen (blankets, clothes—help getting shelter or warmth)

And, yes, I’ve given food, money, blankets and GREAT conversation to homeless or nearly homeless people.

From REAL life experience I can honestly say that you never know when you may be very hard pressed for food or in need of shelter. If no other reason than for Karma, or the greater good, everyone should give what they can, when they can.

@deaddolly, I live same-ish vicinity, and I feel that while there is ‘help’ some people are too proud to take it, some don’t have a clue how to get it, and others should never have been left out in the world on their own.

Also, we have WAY too many people in our area that are NOT homeless but in definate need. They are constantly hanging on by a thread. I’ve been there before and it’s not pretty.

I know a man that is in terrible need. Yet, all he asks for is work. He is too proud to ask or beg. We do all we can for him in the way of food and comfort. He owns his property, but his home is literally falling down and he can’t get work nor can he afford to fix it. I see how sad he’s gotten. How thin. He has no family, and we (our family) are the only ones looking out for him. I have an Aunt in the same predicament. And, if we weren’t alive, contributing to her rent, her utilities, and her well-being, she’d most likely be a homeless person on the street begging for money.

@ randoman – Your better than the homeless eh? the following statements show how untrue that is. See, I would use the term bum, and a few others that would be flagged to describe anyone who would be so conceited and presumptuous as to type what you did:

“I think we are better than they are…at life atleast. They obviously have made some pretty bad decisions, I don’t really see what would make them our equals. We are all working and functional people paying our taxes and making this country run day in and day out. There is no way I’d ever consider myself equal to a homeless person, or bum…...I will never be without a job…why? because I’m intelligent and able to put together a good resume, have good references, and keep myself clean and well kept.
The homeless are homeless for reasons that they probably could have controlled, they jus mis-managed their lives. I feel sorry for them, but they are probably the ones to blame, they should do something about it.”

Tell that to any number of people in the same boat as the aforementioned ENRON employees, people who have lost their jobs out of the blue by the hundreds and their retirement, the veterans, people who had their life savings wiped out by medical bills they couldn’t pay because of catastrophic illnesses with themselves or wife or child, injured in an accident by a drunk driver or some other accident, catastrophic accidents with the weather or fire, mental illness as mentioned before. the list goes on and on.

There is no denying that there are some out there who made bad choices. There are some who will use the money wrong. I would suggest they are called crooks not homeless.

I would also suggest that you need about 3 “McDonalds” jobs even with your clean intelligent well dressed self and good resume if your going to support yourself and more if you have a family.

That will also cut WAY down on your ability to hunt jobs in a very very poor job market. One that is getting worse and worse.

Especially if your going to keep needing help writing your good resume

Now if your “intelligent and… have good references, and keep myself clean and well kept.” claim is as “pure” as your “good resume” claim, that is to say, we can expect to see a question on how to wash your nether region, then maybe your not as above everybody as you think.

@bri I was looking for generalizations. And my good resume landed me a job that gets me about 45,000 a year. I’ve been with this company now for almost 2 years. I make good money because of my resume. I was just updating it to put out on Monsterjobs.com (see what else is out there and get some offers)

I was one of the many cutts at Circuit City a while back, and I bounced back within a week. and I took about a 10 dollar pay increase per hour.

I plan for bad times, I have savings, I have a 401k, ROTH IRA. It sucks that those people at ENRON lost their jobs, but I’d be willing to bet a lot of those people who were let go, are probably working somewhere else now.

And they are bums. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bum trying to leech on others.

I am clean and well kept, I’m in the military and it is apart of the dress code, and pretty much ingrained to shave daily and keep my hair short. (though I am only out at my guard base once a month).

I will never be without a job, all else fails, I go active duty for the military.

And for all those natural disasters/medical injuries you threw out there, there are probably insurances available for each of them.

And for all the veterans, retired, and so on, it’s their own fault they are as old as they are and didn’t financially plan for the future in some way.

I find it difficult to defend a person who let themselves get into a situation that I see them in as I walk past them, or drive past them standing at exit ramps. And I know, there are exceptions, but I’d say majority have only themselves to blame for misfortune for not planning ahead. I will defend my statement that I am better than they are, because it is true.

@ You do realize you had to ask other people to give you info for your resume right. That doesn’t actually make it yours.

If they take the money for reasons other than what they ask for, i.e. food they are not bums, the are con_artists http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/con%20artist

“I am clean and well kept, I’m in the military and it is apart of the dress code, and pretty much ingrained to shave daily and keep my hair short. (though I am only out at my guard base once a month).
I will never be without a job, all else fails, I go active duty for the military.”
~ I am grateful for your service but you are because someone told you to be, not unlike your some of your resume info

“And for all the veterans, retired, and so on, it’s their own fault they are as old as they are and didn’t financially plan for the future in some way.
I find it difficult to defend a person who let themselves get into a situation that I see them in as I walk past them, or drive past them standing at exit ramps. And I know, there are exceptions, but I’d say majority have only themselves to blame for misfortune for not planning ahead”

“There are probably insurances…” rather speculative eh. No doubt there are. To a certain extent, covering a certain amount. Not everything everyone owns.

The veterans left to fight in wars vietnam, korea, etc. with promises made to them. They came back from horrific situations to be treated as criminals by their own country, cast aside, not given support for their return, or for the tramatic events they suffered. Your dismissive comment is an insult to them and shows your youth.

You are not better than them. You are a sad sad human being and I pity you.

what I don’t get is how someone who works hard and keeps himself straight is considered on the same level as someone who has given up on life and doesn’t do anything to help themselves…. that doesn’t make much sense when you think about it.

Maybe I should cite my sources for my resume to the English Dictionary for all the generalized words I put in it? And if you read into that question I posted, I mentioned I wasn’t putting up skills I wasn’t actually trained in. Or didn’t have experience in. I don’t lie on a resume. I should also note, that the “Other Skills part of my resume takes up a very small portion at the bottom of my resume, I am hardly misleading anyone with that.

I kept myself clean before I joined the guard, and thank you for your support.

a Con_artist without a home, is still homeless and is still a bum in my book.

There are exceptions, people with misfortune that falls upon them. I still think majority of the people who are homeless still can only blame themselves.

There is absolutely nothing anyone can say that would ever make me think a bum and myself are equals. I serve my country, pay my taxes, work, go to school to further my education, and more. A bum does next to nothing to contribute.

@Bri, brilliant arguments, I am with you 100%.

@random, what about veterans who suffer with post traumatic stress disorder? Should they blame themselves for fighting a war their government decided they should fight (and in the case of Viet-Nam could have been drafted), then failed to support them with the proper mental health services when they came home? What about those who came home with permanent physical handicaps and are unable to perform a job?

Yes, there are safety nets out there for folks without insurance, that is an excellent point. But the part you are missing is that these programs have very strict guidelines for who can and cannot receive benefits. This nation is full of working poor who hold down one or more jobs and still live below poverty level. The only thing standing between these people and homelessness is a health problem, a car repair, a landlord going into foreclosure, etc. FYI, I have a dear friend who is handicapped and looking for housing, the best our fair city could do for him was put him on a waiting list. The expected wait time? At least a year.

According to this website, approximately 25% of homeless adults suffer with mental illness. These could very well be folks who worked full time at a job without insurance and were unable to afford the medication to manage their illness. They are stuck in a place where they make too much to qualify for prescription or medical benefits, but too little to afford to pay for their health-care/meds. When it comes to food on the table or monthly prescriptions most folks would probably rather eat. No one should ever be forced to choose between the two.

While there is little doubt in my mind that Woody Guthrie type “hobos” out there, I believe they make up a very small minority of our nation’s homeless. I think it is both sad and presumptuous of you to say that not only are you better than anyone who is homeless, but that there is no way you ever will be homeless.

It depends on where you live as far as what programs are available. And, I do NOT lump handicapped ppl into that category, not the mentally ill. It’s the ones who smell of piss and run to the first liquor store they find, when given some money. I’m not saying these ppl are not mentally challenged, they may be. But, there are a lot of homeless ppl who just dropped out and gave up. There are alternatives.

@ – LKidKyle1985 – Because they are both human beings. I have read articles in Readers Digest about “bums” stopping purse snatchers as they ran past elitists like random who deem them selves above others because of what they do or have done.

@ SuperMouse – Random man, in what I am sure is a very scientific study, “still thinks the majority” of them could pull it off with out help with depression or bipolar or post traumatic stress disorder.

@ Random -

“Maybe I should cite my sources for my resume to the English Dictionary for all the generalized words I put in it? And if you read into that question I posted, I mentioned I wasn’t putting up skills I wasn’t actually trained in. Or didn’t have experience in. I don’t lie on a resume. I should also note, that the “Other Skills part of my resume takes up a very small portion at the bottom of my resume, I am hardly misleading anyone with that.”
~ no one said you were. Did you read what I wrote? Heck did you read what you wrote in your question? here let me quote it for you

“I have a list already…and I guess I mean skills that are kind of like filler. I’ve come up with these so far.

Microsoft Office Proficient, Exceptional Communication Skills, Computer/Technical Literacy, Leadership and Management Skills

any other ideas?”

That isn’t filler! That isn’t “I like water skiing and judging others”. That isn’t take a look at my resume and tell me what you think. That is “you don’t know me, but tell me stuff”

“a Con_artist without a home, is still homeless and is still a bum in my book.
There are exceptions, people with misfortune that falls upon them. I still think majority of the people who are homeless still can only blame themselves.”

~ No kidding. and you can determine which is which? do you stick around? We have people who, after 9/11 passed themselves off as victims or family members of victims and you don’t think there are people out there who are posing or stopping to try and get a few bucks for a drink or some smokes?

I NEVER said there were not homeless who are not trying. But they are different than the ones with depression, bipolar, post traumatic stress disorder or other issues.

I will agree that you are better than the crooks that take advantage of the legitimate people who need help.

But I will not accept that you have or ever will do anything to earn the right to say your better than the others.

@supermouse I have accepted that there are some out there who probably couldn’t have done anything about why they’re in the situation they found themselves in.

There is always going to be homeless people, no one has really given me anything to explain why they would be my equal at that particular point in my life….Are serial killers my equal? what about child molesters, are they my equal? Bums are not my equal simply because they are human beings, that is absurd. People are not created equally, there are all sorts of birth defects, and mental problems people might have that would make them, not equal.

I know I won’t ever be homeless because I have friends and family that can take me in, in times of hardship. I am confident that with enough searching, and interviewing, I will always have a job.

And as far as that 25% go, sure those right there would qualify as people who really are limited to what they can do, and it may not entirely be their fault. And though I didn’t do any scientific research on my own to say “majority” of bums only have themselves to blame, that website shows it.

@Bri ” You do realize you had to ask other people to give you info for your resume right. That doesn’t actually make it yours.”
-how about asking a friend to help build a resume? Because he helped me, can I not use that information? That does make it mine, it isn’t like I plagiarized someone that typed words that they knew to be general words for skills someone might have.

Why do you keep hating on my resume you haven’t even seen? I used the word filler in the question because the word “Generalization” escaped me at that very moment. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE will use generalized words somewhere on a resume at some point to describe some skills they have (unless you didn’t list them, or don’t have any skills that you think would appeal to a potential employer). I was seeking some more skills that I may already have, that I could list. Get off the topic of my resume, it works, it looks good, it’s neat, employers like what they see, move on.

Scientists that cure cancers, doctors to help people daily, police officers that protect cities, the list goes oooooon, are you to tell me that each and every one of them are equal to that of a bum?!! NO, I refuse to believe it, and I have yet to hear anything to sway my decision on even why I might be equal to a bum.

If anyone is going to argue that a bum is equal to each and everyone one of us, I’d like to see something other than, “they’re human” or “a bum somewhere, helped a lady when someone was trying to rob her and take her purse”

@ Random – you asked people who don’t know you. How would we know what skills YOU have. I am sure it does filled with skills that people who don’t know you gave you.

You have reduced your argument to “no their not” and “I won’t agree”

Just by saying I won’t agree. “Bums” have stopped purse snatchers that ran by snobs like you. Docters. Ex Circut City workers.

The funny thing is at any given time you could have ended this. all you had to was type the following.

“I am better than the criminal bums. Not the ones who need legitimate help”.

Because we agree on that. I just can’t believe how you prattle on.

I guess I am just a little bit smarter than you.

@Bri, you would know what skills I have because I listed them on my resume?

A purse snatcher may have been caught by a bum at some point, but I’d be willing to be that more normal people stop purse snatchers more often than bums do. So don’t try and feed me that.

I am not going to say I’m equal to a bum when I am not, and you have yet to list anything to tell me why I should. I have given you reasons why they are not my equal, please list reasons why they are.

You don’t know me, so don’t claim to be more intelligent than I am.

@ random man – I would know THE skills listed. just not if you listed them or someone from a website gave them to you.

“A purse snatcher may have been caught by a bum at some point, but I’d be willing to be that more normal people stop purse snatchers more often than bums do. So don’t try and feed me that.

I am not going to say I’m equal to a bum when I am not, and you have yet to list anything to tell me why I should. I have given you reasons why they are not my equal, please list reasons why they are.”

I have given you reasons why some of them are, a dozen times over. I am afraid I can’t put it any simpler.

I even gave you a winning statement but your to conceited and ignorant to use it.

How about this. You worked at Circut City. You were let go. Others were not. By your logic they are all better than you. Nothing you say will make it any different.

No, actually I was let go because I was overpaid for being better than they were. I was over my pay cap.

yeah, you gave some reasons…they’re human, and some bums stop purse snatchers…oh yes, very convincing.

“I would know THE skills listed. just not if you listed them or someone from a website gave them to you.”
-well then, lets not interview anyone, I can find all of these skills listed here on a website, thats where the person got them, he doesn’t actually have these skills. It gets the interview, if they want details on my skills, they can ask me when I’m sitting in front of them talking about a career opportunity.

Bri, yes we are all human beings, and it is a novel idea that we are all created equal, however the truth is, after our creation, we become unequal from one another. You wouldn’t say you are the same as common criminal would you? is the pope no better than a criminal? So why would you say someone who chooses to live on the street and beg people for money is the same as someone who works hard and provides for himself. Yes, some of the homeless are just people down on their luck, but these people usually bounce back. If they don’t its because they usually subcum to severe depression, or drug and alcohol abuse. And I am no more immune to drug and alcohol abuse than they are, but I make a clear choice to avoid this lifestyle. So lets not be naive.

I should add, I am not comparing bums to criminals, I am just using an example to get my point accross that we are not all equal simply because we are the same species.

Lkid – The Pope would say he was no better than a criminal. The pope forgave the man who shot him.

Once again, and please, read the whole thread if your going to participate, I am not referring to those who “choose to live on the street” or criminals.

“Yes, some of the homeless are just people down on their luck, but these people usually bounce back.If they don’t its because they usually subcum to severe depression, or drug and alcohol abuse.”

Your flare for stating opinion as fact rivals random’s. You know this how? How does someone who can’t afford food or shelter or clean himself get meds to deal with post traumatic stress disorder or bipolor or schitzophrenia or depression?

“I am no more immune to drug and alcohol abuse than they are, but I make a clear choice to avoid this lifestyle.”
Are you depressed with bi polar issues and just lost your wife or job and kids or both and get afford your meds? do you have a concept for what that does? I am treated for depressin and bipolar and know what it is like not to have the rest of the problems to deal with. It is hard. You are very, VERY naive. If you do have those issues, like me, then you are sorely lacking in sympathy and I pity you.

I agree we are not all equal because we are the same speies.

You and random are proving that in this thread.

Okay, well EXCLUDING the mentally incapable….. which i think goes without saying. Obviously these people are not the same people we are arguing about. Not all homeless people are mentally ill. We should be clear about what we mean when we say homeless or bum. What it means to me is a person who begs me for money on the street. Are they homeless? I don’t know, are they in need? I have no idea. But they are asking me for money. when most people say homeless personor bum I dont think they mean it in the most literal sense. but in the sense that I just described. And maybe the pope would say hes no better, but I think the majority of people have a higher respect for the pope than the guy who shot him. I mean you he shot the pope for Christ sake, that makes him a pretty terrible person even if he was forgiven by the pope and god. And finally, if you are willing to admit that me and random are the only exception and we are the only 2 people worse than everyone else, then I would say its fairly ignorant of you to not think anyone else in this world of 6 billion people is also any worse than anyone else.

Here is an interesting question, if you are so sure we are all equal and that homeless people are of about the same level as anyone else, then that means you would trust a baby sitter as much as a homeless person? would you ask a homeless person to watch your children. I don’t think so? Why? because homeless people are of low integrity and credibility. This is a good measure of a mans worth, for what is he without either of these? not much obviously.

and maybe you can try and find a few exceptions among the entire population of homeless people, but we all know these exceptions are not the people we are talking about when we say homeless or bum. So yes, there are a few good people who are without a home, but don’t tell me that the majority of these homeless people is this exception

I remember watching on 20 20 one night. They went to like 10 bums, and asked them if they need money and a job, and they said yes. They said if you’d like some money, come to this address and cutt our grass for us. Only one bum showed up. I guess all the others were looking for free hand outs?

I didn’t read all the posts so of this is a repeat I’m sorry, but my rule is this,
It’s the condition of MY heart that matters, not theirs.
and Sunday; I know I still owe you an answer from another post
:-)

@ random

“No, actually I was let go because I was overpaid for being better than they were. I was over my pay cap.”
~ so you were so good, that rather than promote you they kept adding money until they had a reason to let you go. Yup, all those other people are better than you. What is cool is, by your rules, even if they lose their job, they would still be better than you.

“yeah, you gave some reasons…they’re human, and some bums stop purse snatchers…oh yes, very convincing.”
So you get to ignore the reasons you want? That is like saying “nyuh-uh”

Ok I accept your concession.

“I would know THE skills listed. just not if you listed them or someone from a website gave them to you.”
-well then, lets not interview anyone, I can find all of these skills listed here on a website, thats where the person got them, he doesn’t actually have these skills. It gets the interview, if they want details on my skills, they can ask me when I’m sitting in front of them talking about a career opportunity.”

Your having trouble keeping up, let me help. You said “you would know what skills I have because I listed them on my resume?” (ending with a question mark, should be a period” and I said “I would know THE skills listed. just not if you listed them or someone from a website gave them to you.” meaning if you had them or got them from somebody on a website on fluther.

@ LKidKyle –
“And maybe the pope would say hes no better, but I think the majority of people have a higher respect for the pope than the guy who shot him. I mean you he shot the pope for Christ sake, that makes him a pretty terrible person even if he was forgiven by the pope and god.”
~ well, a. the pope would agree with me here. b. he wouldn’t want you saying “for christ sake” Your point there is completely lost.

” if you are so sure we are all equal and that homeless people are of about the same level as anyone else, then that means you would trust a baby sitter as much as a homeless person?”
~ I never said that. Nor did I say all humans are equal.

I am not suggestion that all humans are equal. I don’t believe that we should support people who don’t have legitimate problems or are not trying or are criminals. I keep telling you guys that isn’t the case. I also keep telling you to re read the thread so you wont sound silly making that claim.

I only pointed you guys out as examples of people who put themselves above others. I just think you both have egos.

Again, I point out all you have to say is:

“I am better than the criminal bums. Not the ones who need legitimate help”
and it is game over.

That is what I believe. What is so awful about that? I honestly think when you cut through all the crap we agree.

I have to run to pick my daughter up I will be back

Anyone at Circuit City who was over a pay cap was let go, no one was promoted, everyone was cut, perhaps you missed that in the news? I was promoted to the position I was in because I was the best in my district month in and month out in sales, and thats why I now have the job I currently have. so yes, I was better than everyone in my department in sales. Circuit City lost a lot of good sales people because they were over paid.

I ended that statment with a question mark because you asked a stupid question about what skills I had when I clearly already listed them….STOP talking about my resume, it has nothing to do with Bums being equal to anyone. Every skill I listed on my resume I have, EVERY.

I have to go to work, I’ll be back at 10:30pm EST

If this is your point bri [I am not suggestion that all humans are equal] then why did you argue with me on this point
I said
“what I don’t get is how someone who works hard and keeps himself straight is considered on the same level as someone who has given up on life and doesn’t do anything to help themselves…. that doesn’t make much sense when you think about it.”
and you said
“Because they are both human beings. I have read articles in Readers Digest about “bums” stopping purse snatchers as they ran past elitists like random who deem them selves above others because of what they do or have done.”
Sounds like you are being rather contradictory of yourself.
And your right, i never said i think the ones who need legitimate help are below me, they are just people who need help. But when I say exactly who I mean when I say I am better than them, which as you call them, the “criminal” bums, it still seems like you want to argue with me. And i think the pope will forgive me for saying Christ.

Heehee…I think it’s very funny that both parties left a heated argument with such polite “will be back” signs.

@Judi
Excellent answer.

But to answer the original question, yes.
I rarely make it home with my leftovers.

It’s such the norm that I usually anticipate it.
I’ll cut off my last bite before packing it up.

I don’t like to offer them anything that I wouldn’t also offer to a friend.
And I probably wouldn’t offer a friend a half-mangled sandwich.

I don’t hold it against them if they refuse the food.
Just because they’re homeless doesn’t mean they can’t refuse anything you offer.

I once offered this man half of my doughnut.
Not only did he refuse, he commenced to lecture me on the evils of hydrogenated fats.
I told him it was the only thing I could afford to buy with the change I had.
He then offered me some of the change from his cup to eat something healthier.

ha gotta love random wisdom out of no where.

Thank you nimis for putting this issue back where it should be, in our hearts, not in our heads.

@Random, correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds to me that you are saying you are better than a person who is homeless. Is this correct? If it is, then I think you are sadly mistaken. I’ll bet you that if you visit almost any big city in the US you will find many homeless folks with more education than you, more work experience, and maybe even more specialized training. You might find a medical doctor, a Phd, an engineer or even a young man not unlike yourself.

There are many, many reasons people end up on the street and your broad sweeping generalizations ignore most of them.

@ LKidKle because your implying that because they are on the street they failed and gave up on life, when I have listed a million times that there are reasons just as SuperMouse said above, why they need help. It isn’t contradicting myself at all.

If I indicated that you were wrong for thinking you were better thank criminal bums which I can’t find, I was wrong. I wouldn’t argue that.

look, we agree that the ones who need help who can’t get it for legitimate reasons deserve it. The rest don’t. I think you and I are getting caught up in words.

@ random man – “stupid questions” eh, like “What are some good skills I can list on a resume?” YOUR resume? So you had to go to a web site to have people you don’t know to find out about skills you have!

And YOU brought it up! You included your “intelligent resume” as an example of why you’ll never be without a job. Maybe some of the others were not “intelligent” enough to have others “remind” them of their “good skills”.

Sincere congratulations on your new job after CC. You obviously do have sales skills. But, there were still people who were not fired, yes? Jobs hire up than yours? By your own strict unforgiving criteria that you hold “bums” to you failed. No excuses.

You and I are not going to agree. You said it before. I won’t convince you your not someone who looks down on others who have met misfortune and have troubles he doesn’t understand.

And I know I won’t stop repeating the same truths about the fact we agree on the basics.

“I am better than the criminal bums. Not the ones who need legitimate help”

I have a migraine and will be down for the next 13 hours. Not related to you guys. I have enjoyed our polite debate and I thank you. I like you guys. Thanks for keeping it. that way.

you and LkidKle go nuts

“I have enjoyed our polite debate and I thank you. I like you guys. Thanks for keeping it. that way.”

I meant that sincerely. You both were gentlemen. I hope I was.

@Bri, I was simply brain storming up skills I may have over looked that could be useful on a resume (that I already have and use). I thought it was dumb to ask me, what skills I had, if I had them listed on a resume. so I added the ”?”

People were left at my store when I left, in fact, I had a lot to do with the training of the people that stayed there, Circuit City even sent me on trips to other stores within the state to train other stores and evaluate why they were under performing. It wasn’t personal (they took anyone that was 51 cents over pay cap, and let them go) when they let me go, they even sent some notices in the mail later to invite everyone they let go back, but I was making a lot more at my new job, so of course, I denied.

@supermouse, how about I compromise a bit…I’m better than 95% of all the bums out there. I can be lazy at times, but atleast I pay my taxes, have a legal place of residence, contribute day in and day out, and don’t look for hand outs from anyone…I don’t care what degree someone has, if he’s a bum, he’s a bum ( he just might be an educated bum, in which case, he’s a fool for not being able to put it to good use ).

@ Random – Regarding your CC layoff and resume. I am just pointing out that nothing is as simple as your “logic” would make it to be. I am applying the same “general” statements you are to the homeless about your resume and cc layoff.

How come you will compromise with super and not me. I gave you that compromise way way up there.

“I am better than the criminal bums. Not the ones who need legitimate help”

@Bri, My resume has absolutely nothing to do with it…perhaps my situation with Circuit City is close, but I was never homeless, just jobless for a week or so. And as I mentioned, I won’t be without a job. Circuit just laid me off, but I bounced back and got a job that paid a lot more. I wouldn’t go as far to say that people who are laid off failures, but when it comes time to get another job, and you fail to do that, then you are a failure. I made success out of losing my job at Circuit City.

How about this for a compromise, I am better than all criminal bums, and 95% of your regular bums out there.

That sounds great RandomMrdan.

And, while I noticed you and LKidKyle1985 bonded and added each other to each others fluther over this (you were not when we started) at least you didn’t take it out here. I find that commendable.

We can, to be cliche, agree to disagree.

Again, thanks for being a gentleman with this. We were able to have quite the discussion and it could have gotten snippy but didn’t

I give bags of food to homeless people from time to time. They aren’t very appreciative, but I don’t look for appreciation. Some are. I should say that. Some though, would rather have money and do whatever they want with it. I would rather give them non perishable but easily consumed food. I feel bad for hungry people.

I must add that I can try to understand why most of them don’t like taking food. Simply because it could be dangerous to them not really knowing what is in the food. I am sure 99.99% of the people will not put rat poison or glass in the food before giving to them. But there is always that 0.0001% chance! Just like some of them rather sleep during the day so no one could set them on fire or something. You never know what kind of crazy people are out on the streets of NYC.

If it was a place I would pass by regularly I would stop by often and drop off some food. It really makes me happy. And I’m sure it would also make the homeless happy.

Yes. definitely

My husband and I usually give if we have money on us. One year, it was the week before Christmas and my husband gave a guy $100 because that was all he had on him. He hoped the generosity would really help the guy out. Instead he followed us home, and for months afterwards would ring our doorbell at 11 at night and ask for money. He also told our neighbors that he was a friend of ours and had car problems, and could he borrow $20, that my husband would pay them back. I usually give if the need seems genuine.

You never know when it’s a test.

People don’t stop you on the street and ask for food. They ask for money. People carry money around with them, but usually not food. They come to your door and ask for food.

I have given as much as $20 on the street, depending on my blink-type assessment of the person. Often I give nothing. I once gave a woman $5, one of those who endlessly push a laden grocery cart and probably sleep while they walk. She called after me and handed it back: “I don’t want your money.” I still think about my crass error.

I have also served food to someone on my doorstep when he rang the bell and said he was hungry. He ate the sandwich and drank the milk but left the fruit and didn’t use the napkin.

If someone is hungry and I’m set enough to feed myself, I feel it’s my moral duty to immediately help them eat. I’m not Christian, but it feels like a very basic, moral duty to help those in need, and I feel like that’s what Jesus would do. I very rarely give money because I don’t want to have to judge them, to decide whether they’d use it for substances or for something that would help them. I figure that I can feed them and spare them the cost of the food later, then what they do with the extra money is up to them.

I grew up in a city with a high homeless population and I’ve had many experiences and encounters over the years. My parents set a great example. I remember one time my dad started talking to a guy who had been panhandling, through conversation it was discovered the guy was a handyman and we happened to have something that needed fixing. The guy ended up with a job and was paid more than fairly for his time. The point here isn’t that my dad made the guy work for the money, but that he treated him with dignity, not as a freeloader, but like someone who would be willing to work if he could find an opportunity. I like to think the best of people, so I imagine some people have trouble finding steady work for whatever reason. If I were in this position, I would be grateful to people who treated me like a decent human being, rather than making negative assumptions about me.

if i had food or money, and didn’t feel threatened, i would. especially if it was for food and not for money. there are people around here who have plenty of money but act as if every day is halloween and go around dressed as messily as they can and pretend they’re homeless. it’s horrible. /=

whether i’d give a homeless person anything depends entirely on how s/he looks; i.e. if it’s a junkie or an old person. obviously, i’d be more inclined to give to an old person.

i’d never give money, but i often do give cigarettes because i dont walk around with food.

@AlenaD GREAT ANSWER

Directed at all those who think it’s a choice, a laziness or an affront to your good citizenship.
It is so simple to live with such prejudices and so scary to imagine that it could be you. Mental illness, abuse, neglect, trauma, drug addiction, accidents, cruel people, malnutrition, handicaps are only some of the reasons homelessness exists. These are not bad people but just sick people-even if they don’t know that they are sick. If you are able to help or offer assistance, do so. If you can get them into a shelter, get them an Aids test by all means. You may have to get close to their stink and you may recognize some of your own. You may have to see the human being under the rags. If someone asks me for help or has become part of my path, I think it part of being human to help him.

I have put homeless people in shelters, gave them rides to get AIDS tests so they could get into treatment programs, put them up in a motel so they could get a shower before they went into a program. I have bought them tshirts, clean underwear and meals. And what has it cost me but a few dollars here and there? Maybe occasionally a few dollars more. If someone asks me for money and say they are hungry, I always offer them food and then actually try to engage them if they are capable. If it’s clear that they want money for drugs and alcohol I do not offer them money but see if they are capable of recognizing that there are options available at shelters and treatment programs. Quite often though, with compassion they actually recognize that they need help. Keep in mind as well that sometimes the shelters are more dangerous than the street and they often get robbed and there can be a prison like culture. It’s not black and white, but we might take some lessons from the Scandinavian countries with almost zero homelessness. People are human by nature of their existence and worthy of shelter, medicine, and sustenance. If you don’t offer them dignity with that coin, it’s better to walk on by because you do a greater disservice.

Never put yourself in a dangerous situation but there needs to be a sense of community in this country again. There are areas of the Northwest, San Francisco etc. where the system is much abused by kids and drug addicts, but even there one has to question why do kids feel so worthless that they choose this lifestyle?
And as to community, I watched the other day as this old man walked around in circles with a shopping cart and seemed so lost and I was just sitting in my car. He finally walked over to me and asked for a ride. He just needed to get home with his groceries. He wasn’t homeless and I have no idea how he got there in the first place, but I gave him a ride and he was grateful. He got home safe and I helped him unpack his groceries. It wasn’t a big deal. I want to live in a society where it’s okay to give a frail old man a ride.

Over 13.2 million will people will die from hunger this year. Here’s a simple and free way that you can help. Put it on your desktop or make it your home page
http://tinyurl.com/2rdph4

yes i would immediately. if i’m finished eatinq and i have eaten enough then yes. But if you come ask in a nice way and i dont feel threatend. =]

I think I enjoyed rereading this as much as I did partaking in it the first time.

Yes and if I have any money to spare I will give that also.

Last night my fiance was working and this lady was asking everyone for food or $ and she asked him and he said no because we are really broke. Everyone else told her no and not knowing she was being watched she started really crying saying to herself she was so hungry and he felt bad and bought her some food. I was really happy he did that, I feel bad for people who are really hungry

@justme1
That’s what it’s about sometime. And sometime the only people who can see them are us who are on the street. It’s unfathomable that we live in a society with such rampant waste, that anyone should go hungry.

@SeventhSense Very true

Of course. If I didnt have any, I would probably go and buy a Tim Hortons card so you could buy food, or leave and bring you back some. I probably would not give money though, even if you weren’t an alcoholic/drug addict.

Yeah, I do it all the time. I rarely give money, because I don’t have much of that myself, but if I’m at the grocery store or a sandwich place and I see someone nearby that has a sign asking for food, I’ll usually pick up extra food to give to them. There’s a great 99 Cents Only store by my house and you can get some pretty decent things for $10. I usually try to make sure to give food items that will last a little while and are easily opened (no can openers necessary). I usually get a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter (with a set of plastic utensils) a couple of cans with pop tops of spaghettios, chili or beans (stuff that tastes ok un-heated) and a can or 2 of nuts, a bag of apples, some individual containers of applesauce, a big bottle of water and some chocolate bars. So far, everyone that I’ve given food to has been appreciative and not yelled at me because I didn’t give them money or beer. I once even bought some dog food and a can opener and a water bowl for a couple that had a little dog with them that were living under a bridge.

I would much rather give beggars food than money. And I have done so numerous times, including in the U.S., giving homeless vets granola bars or whatever I had in my car, in India, giving young kids snacks I had just bought, and in Paris on the metro, giving people bread I had brought for my breakfast. I wouldn’t give people food if it was the only food I have, because I am diabetic. But I deeply empathize with people who need to ask others for food. I have been in that position myself and could easily be there again.