No....

I do though donate $$ to a Santa fund, and old clothes to Goodwill.

I hate it to when you go into the city to sight see, etc. and the sit on the side of the road and start talking to you when you go back. It just makes me really uncomfortable....

__________________

There is a intersection by my employer that has a man that stands there everyday. I have bought he lunch a few times, but I would never give him money. My Grandmother taught me this.... I was about 12 and we were at the grocery store. There was a lady there smokin with a little kid about 3 or 4. She asked my G'ma for some money to buy food. My G'ma said that she wouldn't give her money but we went back in the store and bought them some : eggs, milk, bread, cheese, Peanut Butter & Jelly and a box of cereal. It wasn't alot but enough for them to eat for a few days. (She said it was just her and the little girl.) I was so impressed by the way that my Grandmother handled this and it has stuck with me. It taught me an important lession.

__________________

I haven't seen a homeless person on the street in YEARS! But years ago sometimes I would give them a little, and if their sign said hungry I would take them food from the drive through. My dh won't give anything, it's the same way as most of you thinking they will buy cigs/alcohol/drugs. There was a couple in TX when I was in school that made their living doing this, how horrible and what a lack of integrity! If I see someone smoking, heck no! BUT i have a weakness for helping women or children so if I see a woman I will give her something, even if it's only $1.

I look at it like that $1 isn't going to hurt me but it could mean alot to them!

I give alot more to charities and shelters nowdays

__________________

A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

I think I've only seen one homeless person (yeah I live a sheltered life) and I don't know if he was homeless or just begging. I did not give him any $ but not because I'm cheap or was afraid of not using it to buy food. I was very young and just plain scared!

Unfortunately with our society the way it is, I still would not for the reason I'm not sure if they are homeless or if they want to get close enough to grab me. If I knew someone was down on their luck (aquaintence wise) I'd buy them a meal, definitely. But for someone to get close enough to ask for cash? No. I do admit to giving people the brush-off (especially people who ask if I can do a survey!) I walk very quickly and make it obvious I do not wish to be asked. So if someone could catch me, which I doubt, I still wouldn't!

DH told me about this one time when he was like 18 (before he came to college and met me) that he was at an intersection or in a parking lot in his car and some guy asked for $5 for food. So DH gave it to him and told him to get some food. The guy took it and mumbled something about finally being able to get another thing of whiskey and some smokes. DH got TICKED and grabbed the guy and said "Absolutely NOT! That money will buy you food and I'm not leaving this parking lot until I see you walk into that Subway right there and get something and then eat it." And he stood at the back of his parked car watching the guy get a sandwich from subway and then eat it before he left. We've never seen a homeless person that has actually asked for anything, but if we did, DH would probably go through a drive through or get some fruit or something from the grocery store and give it to them, like y'all have mentioned. When DH and I were first married, we bought a coffee at McD's for a guy that was just trying to get out of the cold. We offered him a meal, but he said he only needed warmth on the outside. He was the sweetest oldest man, and God really blessed us with his presence. It was a conversation we felt was Heaven-sent. I never once saw the guy stop smiling and it seemed like he had this glow about him. It was really a beautiful experience.

Before I graduated high school I went on a youth group missions trip to Washington D.C. While there, we met with a man who worked for the national homeless coalition. He used to be homeless and he told us about his whole journey, as well as some stories of other people he knew. I walked out of the room angry b'c I felt like he was just being lazy by choice and taking advantage of other's feeling pity on him. I had the hardest time wanting to love and help someone that I felt maybe didn't quite deserve it. God really had to work in me. Everyone, homeless or not, needs God's love. Buying something for that person, whether it's a bag of fruit or a package of underwear/socks, was helping to meet their needs with love as much as money. I'm proud to know so many giving loving women who want to help others. We may never know if they're truly in need or if they're faking it for their own gain, but in the end, we are accountable for ourselves and the choices we make with how we love one another.

__________________

I worked in downtown Los Angeles for several years and would often give $$$ to the homeless people near my building. I knew most of them on a first name basis. I actually had one guy pay me back!!!

No...

but it's not because I think the homeless are lazy or otherwise "scary." I rarely carry cash. I used to work in a big city & we'd see the same homeless people each day..."Stinky Guy," "Sleeping in the Doorway Guy" and "Guy Who'd Be Kinda Hot If He'd Take a Bath and Shave."

The first two guys were elderly--and they didn't beg. They were the kind of homeless person I prefer to give to--but in a discreet way (because they are oddly proud). "Guy Who'd Be Kinda Hot If He'd Take a Bath and Shave" was mentally ill...as my cousin* has schizophrenia, I have a soft spot for the mentally ill. He didn't beg either but he would take your food if you tossed it in the trash in front of him--so, tossing some "good, untouched" food never hurt!

*Note: my first cousin has schizophrenia, but he is as close to me as a brother...in fact, I named my son after him.

__________________
~Jessica

A Classroom of One's Own

I have given them money before. It really hurts my daughter to see homeless people. If I am not in a position to do anything else and she is with me I will give money. I prefer to give food but sometimes it isn't possible.

When I brought my daughter to basketball practice this winter we saw the same homeless man several times around the area. My daughter wanted to go home imediately and get him some warm clothes. She did put some of her dad's old clothes in the car for the next time we saw him but we never got to give them to him.

I want to foster that attitude in my kids. If that means giving someone money when they may use it for something other than food then it is a small price to pay.

Hope I do not make anyone mad, but no I do not give money to people on the streets. I have several reasons why. First, we have offered homeless people food and they have refused saying they want money. We have offered people work and again have been refused saying they want money. Plus, there was an undercover reporter that went to the streets for a month. They made over $3000 in a month.... That is tax free ladies.... I hate to say, that a few homeless people turning down a meal and work have spoiled my opinion of giving to people on the streets. Now as far as donating and giving to charity, we do this throughout the year.

I used to see some on the street when I was in college. They did not want anything but money so I didn't give them any. In my hometown, the police pretty much make people leave if they see them hanging around the street.