I (very) occasionally volunteer at a soup kitchen. We serve about 1100 people daily of which a small percentage actually lives on the street. I wish they would allow me to do my own survey. Based on personal observation of those that live on the street and not a shelter.
100% do so by choice.
100% have something going on mentally.
100% are eligible to receive an EBT card (food stamps), but mental issues preclude applying.
100% are eligible to receive welfare in the form of cash, but mental issues preclude applying.
Too many people that live on the street need the services of a mental health professional. Unfortunately, it’s not politically correct to say someone is “crazy.”
As for the gas panhandlers: What I’ve done the last 2 or 3 times I was approached, is to offer to buy the gas for them. I say I will meet you at your car and I will gladly buy you 2 or 3 gallons to get you home. You should see the backpedaling. Well sir, my car is many blocks away it would be easier if you just gave me the money rather than go… Hey it’s no problem, I’ve got a car I can meet you there in 5 mins. Well sir, it’s actually for a friend and she lives pretty far away so she would need more than a couple gallons. No problem, I’ll buy her 10 gals. let’s go. Well sir, my car is not at a gas station. No problem I’ve got a gas can in my trunk, I’ll meet you (I do not offer to give a ride) at your car. Never mind sir.
I used to keep a list of all the local food banks, soup kitchens (btw they serve complete meals) and shelters. I would have several in my car to give panhandlers that approached me. I stopped giving them out because I saw too many of these flyers on the street as trash. I felt that I was the cause of way too much litter.
Personal opinion: if you want to help give directly to the shelters, food banks and soup kitchens. You will have the satisfaction of knowing your money is not being spent on a bottle of vodka or his/her next fix.
When I see someone reach out of the car window to give someone (that is CLEARLY a junkie) a couple bucks, I feel sick. I know the harm that driver is causing to that person with his hand out for money. If a person with arms riddled with “track” marks reaches out to you for money, PLEASE do not give him any. When that person is found dead by overdose on a park bench, you will have the distinction of having contributed to that outcome.
If you feel you HAVE to give something to the panhandler, have a few bottles of water in your car and maybe some self-contained meals. I used to keep several little kits with tuna fish, crackers and a spoon, which are sold in the tuna fish section at the supermarket, but I used to see them littered on the ground at intersections, so I stopped that too. When I’m going into a fast food place to satisfy my personal addiction of diet coke and there is a beggar standing nearby, I’ll buy him a burger and bottle of water. If they are intent on staying out there, at least they won’t be hungry or thirsty.
Sorry for the morbid post but I’ve seen too much while volunteering in a soup kitchen. I just can’t stand it when people have their head in the sand and think they’re helping when in fact they’re doing great harm.
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