tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9217937039704228322.post1737845532158390077..comments2023-11-05T04:18:12.702-06:00Comments on Little Mrs. Married: PanhandlersMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815407660365883762noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9217937039704228322.post-68202481811443816202010-08-20T08:10:43.864-05:002010-08-20T08:10:43.864-05:00We used to live near a sort of bad neighborhood, a...We used to live near a sort of bad neighborhood, and would be asked for stuff all the time, including money for gas. We had decided a long time ago that we were never going to give money to beggars, but that we would offer other things if we had them. So, at the gas station one day we had filled up some gas cans and then we were filling up our car when a guy asked us for a couple of bucks for gas so that he could pick up his daughter. My husband said, "I don't have any money to give you, but if you show me where your car is, I'll give you five gallons of gas from one of these cans." The man was like, "You don't have any money?" And when we said no he waved us off and walked away. Clearly he did not need gas to pick us his daughter (and what a horrible thing to do - use the image of a child to try to get money). A short time after that we were at (oddly enough!) a Subway and a guy asked for money for food. I offered him the other half of my footlong that I didn't eat, and he wouldn't take it. If he was really homeless and starving, he would have jumped on that perfectly good sub. The more and more that we reach out to people in ways other than money, the more we realize that the majority of them are not truly homeless. So, there are definitely ways to help those that need it! <br />(sorry for such a long comment!)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559640681356552938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9217937039704228322.post-70743459934241290802010-08-19T21:49:15.485-05:002010-08-19T21:49:15.485-05:00I totally agree with you!! its th liars or pnes li...I totally agree with you!! its th liars or pnes like them that make people in need not get help. I have done the same thing just because i had a few dollars in my purse and then the man went in a bought ciggerates, not food.... ugh!!! It breaks my heart for those who need it but how do we know?? We dont get any signs!!! I pray sometimes that i know who really needs help. I have bought someone a hamburger before so i know that was used for the right purpose, unlike the food money for smokes!!<br /><br />When i went to memphis back in February some Panhandler tried to show us how to get to Beale street liek the big flashing BB King light wasnt a dead giveaway, we knew were we were going we didnt need help, i was trying to walk away but he kept on it 4 girls and him... just tagging along, we get close to Beale and they ar not allowed on the street at all and he says how about a tip?? really?? we saw beale before you popped up in our way stupid fool!!! all i had was a $20 not giving the creep that thank goodness another girl with us had a one and give him that.. who knows what he would have done he could have been packing!! lol<br /><br /><br />not sure if you have ever been to Memphis, TN but it very scary in the down town area especially at night!!!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06743773707410610515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9217937039704228322.post-30766974366999765182010-08-19T16:16:34.458-05:002010-08-19T16:16:34.458-05:00I like Sarah's response. I don't think you...I like Sarah's response. I don't think you are a bad person at all for all that you wrote.<br /><br />I was going to say buy them the food. Or tell them that you have five bucks for gas but you want to see them put the gas in and don't go over five cuz that's all you got. But I really like the gift card idea too.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15347423808769328753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9217937039704228322.post-38926242893318096752010-08-19T15:59:01.495-05:002010-08-19T15:59:01.495-05:00I think an appropriate response if someone asks is...I think an appropriate response if someone asks is, "No, I'm sorry I don't have anything" and then walk away. Bruce and I have had these discussions a lot because we are so bad at walking away - but what I've decided is that I'd rather give the money to organizations working to make changes at a systemic level than to put a bandaid on one small part of the problem.<br /><br />If you really feel led to help people when they ask, either keep granola bars in your purse or $5 subway gift cards. That way you know you're helping people eat, not necessarily spend it somewhere else.<br /><br />There's no easy answer unfortunately. We live in a broken world.Sarah @ Preaching In Pumpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692318075255368895noreply@blogger.com