BS: I gave money to a panhandler!

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: GUEST,Recently Poor
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 12:59 PM

There is a special WIC allowance now for fresh fruits and vegetables(excluding, for some reason, white potatoes) Though it is not very much. The Moms should also have a SNAP card(used to be called food stamps) which does allow them to purchase fresh fruits and veggies of all sorts.

They can't get help with soap, toilet paper, or cleaning supplies, which, when you thing about it, are an ongoing expense that is just as necessary as food.

Obviously, there are a lot of people out there begging/panhandling who are just taking advantage, however, the "charities" that serve them tend to give a lot of their money to the people who collect it(how do you think those Salvation Army bellringers get paid?) and a bunch more to their middle class and often over-educated professional staff, so that a relatively small amount of the money you give to
them actually makes it to the people who need it.

All in all, if you give a dollar to a poor person, they get a dollar, but if you give it to a charity for the poor, they get between 20-30 cents.

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: gnu
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 02:53 PM

As far as booze and such... if I am at the checkout of the powerhouse aquiring my weekly sixpack of beer... okay, I'll wait... done laughing yet?... and a wo/man in greens sporting a Canuck Flag is there, I tell him her/is money is no good while I am there and pay. Within reason, of course. ALWAYS, I am told, politely, "No. That's okay." but I insist. When thanked, I say, "Yer more than welcome and thank you sir/ma'am." I give to cadets and, if reqired, I ask for coin change at the checkout to make sure I have a bunch - I always hand it to them and say "Here, put this this in for me and thank you sir/miss." THEY have cans with slots for donations... kinda odd because THEY are the ones least likely to pilfer donations.

But those little panhandlers, parents standing next to them drinking Tims coffee, with the ripped open basketballs/volleyballs only get a stare and sneer at the imagery. About a month ago, I asked me buddy Bob what the scoop was on one such lone waif in the foyer as it was a Wednesday afternoon and he looked late teens. Bob said, "Fer F*** Sake! Is he back again? I am gonna hafta call the police this time." I assume he was at one time taught this behaviour by a Tims drinking parent while begging for money to attend a roundball tournament in The Big Smoke. Pathetic way to raise yer chilluns.

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 02:55 PM

That's why most of my giving is to my African in-laws, who are really struggling in Ivory Coast. I know that every penny I transfer goes straight to them, for essentials such as a 50Kg sack of rice, fixing their leaky roof on their shanty shack and malaria treatment when needed. I'm so proud to read all these lovely postings of kindness and giving on Mudcat. Blessings on all!

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 03:04 PM

"however, the "charities" that serve them tend to give a lot of their money to the people who collect it(how do you think those Salvation Army bellringers get paid?)"

I don't know what part of the world you live in, but here in the UK collectors for the Salvation Army are almost always uniformed members and they are unpaid. They give their services free. I know this because my sister is one of them.

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: GUEST,Recently Poor
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 03:05 PM

Have no idea what you're talking about, Gnu. Except for the sixpack. I understand that...

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: gnu
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 03:26 PM

RP... Canadian Armed Forces personnel. CAF cadets as opposed to kids of well-to-do parents being taught that begging is okay instead of earning their keep. Pisses me off to NO end.

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: GUEST,Recently Poor
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 05:50 PM

In the US, some of the bellringers are unpaid, but many are paid. It is true that they tend to get minimum wage, and it's also true that they often need the services that SA provides. Canvassers for other charities often get paid considerably better, up to $20 per hour in some cases, and bonuses.

Subject: RE: BS: I gave money to a panhandler!
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 30 Apr 13 - 06:07 PM

I regret the one occasion that I didn't give and probably should have, far more than all the other times I've given and may have been "suckered." I'd rather err on the side of compassion.