[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

$600 per day times-5 days per week (say as an average)-times 52 weeks gives $ 156,000. That will buy a lot of drugs! At 156,000 per year, all of us-ALL ought to take up that "occupation" and drive them out of business.
I wonder if you and I know about this "White Van" that picks them up - why don't the Police?????? Just asking?

Probably because it's not a thing.

There's one guy who rides his bicycle to the spot, and chains it up a few aisles down in the parking lot. There's a woman in a wheelchair, she has another person with a van, but I think they actually live in that van.

There are a few people who live in vans and pickup trucks and one guy with a small camper-van in the Walmart parking lot, they move around a bit. One time I got some sanitizer wipes from the Freeosk machine inside and gave the package to one of the women who lives in her pickup truck.

As long as they are respectful and don't try knocking on my window or stopping traffic when the light turns green, I have no problem with them being there. Mostly I'm grateful they're not like the "window washers" off the highway in NYC. They're nasty.

[Michael G.]

What does the state of Florida say about panhandling on public streets?
Probably like going to restaurants and grocery stores with dogs, nothing.

[Art cov]

We know this but Jesus himself healed n helped some and others didn’t receive him or the blessings. I’m not giving to someone for crack cocaine or any drugs or booze. If they don’t want the food I try to give, then I’m out. Many can work and if those that are capable won’t work then they should not eat! I’m not blessing laziness. By the way, they do get all the free healthcare. They get more food then they can eat. Be not deceived. I don’t wake in the morning with the thought of blessing people with illegal drugs or to help people get drunk and being a nuisance in our neighborhoods.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Art cov

We know this but Jesus himself healed n helped some and others didn’t receive him or the blessings. I’m not giving to someone for crack cocaine or any drugs or booze.

Why not give someone money for crack, cocaine, drugs, or booze?
Maybe your Jesus would??

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

What does the state of Florida say about panhandling on public streets?
Probably like going to restaurants and grocery stores with dogs, nothing.

Here is a start on the laws. Enjoy!
The Many Laws of Florida’s Panhandling - Homeless Voice

[dave from deland]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

When we cross 441/27 to go to Walmart, many days there are homeless people looking
for money or a handout.

Do you donate to their cause?

What's you opinion on them being there?

With all the help wanted signs on just about every business, they can get a job. I say give them nothing.

[Tblue]

I enjoy reading how some deal with the panhandling public. About 1993 I was in Alaska and the wife and I were leaving the grocery store parking lot. We were behind a pick up truck waiting to exit onto the main highway. Right under the stop sign there was 2 younger fellows, maybe mid 20s sitting holding a sign that said “FOOD WANTED”. For a second I thought how clever hitting people up as they leave the parking lot of the grocery store. The guy in the pick up ahead of us opens his door and hops out and climbs into the bed of his truck. He opens a very large cooler and pulled out 2 fresh salmon, maybe 10 to 15 pounds each. He yells at the two sitting beside the stop sign and threw them the fish. Got back in his truck and drove off. Surprised or confused is the look on the two guys faces as they are sitting there with a sign that says FOOD WANTED and each holding a large fresh fish.

[xcaligirl]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

When we cross 441/27 to go to Walmart, many days there are homeless people looking
for money or a handout.

Do you donate to their cause?

What's you opinion on them being there?

I've been seeing the same "homeless people" there for the past 7 years. Definitely a scam, just like others say, just watch them during and after their "shift".

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

What does the state of Florida say about panhandling on public streets?
Probably like going to restaurants and grocery stores with dogs, nothing.

They're not doing it on public streets, they're doing it at the edge of the parking lot of Walmart's (thus the title of the thread). That's private property. The property owner has the right to kick them off, OR call the police and have them charged with trespassing. But thus far, that doesn't seem to have ever happened.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by dave from deland

With all the help wanted signs on just about every business, they can get a job. I say give them nothing.

Homeless people don't have permanent addresses, and can't get a legal job without one. And many places won't hire them even if they are willing to skirt the law, because homeless people are not reliable. They don't have reliable transportation, they don't have reliable hygiene, they don't have reliable access to clean clothing. They're a poor risk, and generally not employable.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The scammers will just go somewhere else and scam other people. They don't disappear. Do you think human beings just disintegrate or something? Get real. That doesn't happen.

The legitimately homeless and unemployable will not disappear. They'll just be homeless and unemployable and hungrier than they were yesterday. They'll end up relying on public services more than they did yesterday. They'll get sicker more often than they did yesterday, because they'll be more underfed, under-housed, underclothed than they were yesterday, and end up taking up more space at hospitals and clinics than they did yesterday.

And then people will whine about how there's no space left for themselves, how there are more homeless people living in tents in the forest, more sick people spreading disease, more thieves stealing clothing off clotheslines, more burglaries, more robberies, more petty theft.

It's a horrible cycle that begins with a streak of bad luck, and combined with people who say "THOSE people aren't human, and don't even deserve to be treated like dogs."

People feed stray cats and dogs, but they won't feed a hungry human being.

I find that particularly insulting, as an actual human being.

I choose not to feed stray dogs or cats because it might help the individual animal but does not help a more refined dog breed or at least a cat that is wanted by humans. I think it is more humane to neuter them. I am guilty of feeding a goose mama with little gooselings, but I never feed them bread, which hurts their digestive tracks - I go with ground corn. I know that I should NOT feed the geese because they become habituated to humans and end up getting hit by cars.......my bad!

[Janet1946]

This thread has been so sad. . Once you are evicted it is almost impossible to rent another apartment. You can’t get a job unless you have a phone and an address. In many states you can’t even qualify for food stamps or Medicaid without an address. If you have been convicted of a felony, you are entitled to no benefits, even long after you have served your sentence (and just try to find a decent job with a felony on their record). If you live in the Los Angeles area, two adults earning minimum wage jobs do not qualify for ANY apartment in the area. Many of the tents around Union Station (in LA) are occupied by 2 adults who each have full time jobs. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same is true in Florida. TBH, it seems like begging might get you a better lifestyle.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Janet1946

This thread has been so sad. . Once you are evicted it is almost impossible to rent another apartment. You can’t get a job unless you have a phone and an address. In many states you can’t even qualify for food stamps or Medicaid without an address. If you have been convicted of a felony, you are entitled to no benefits, even long after you have served your sentence (and just try to find a decent job with a felony on their record). If you live in the Los Angeles area, two adults earning minimum wage jobs do not qualify for ANY apartment in the area. Many of the tents around Union Station (in LA) are occupied by 2 adults who each have full time jobs. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same is true in Florida. TBH, it seems like begging might get you a better lifestyle.

Truth, but the "I've got mine, screw you (them)" crowd don't care.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I choose not to feed stray dogs or cats because it might help the individual animal but does not help a more refined dog breed or at least a cat that is wanted by humans. I think it is more humane to neuter them. I am guilty of feeding a goose mama with little gooselings, but I never feed them bread, which hurts their digestive tracks - I go with ground corn. I know that I should NOT feed the geese because they become habituated to humans and end up getting hit by cars.......my bad!

Corn is almost as bad. Geese eat mostly seeds, plant roots, berries, whole raw fresh grains (grasses) and stems, and insects.

No need to give homeless people money, but sometimes it's a good thing to offer a kindness - simply because you're a human being connecting with another human being. If you bought a case of water, give them a bottle of it. If you bought a box of protein bars, give them a bar. If you bought a 12-pack of Ivory soap, give them a bar. If you bought a box of tampons, offer the young woman a few. When you get free sanitizing wipes from the Freeosk booth, give it to the person out there. Maybe if there's a BOGO on cheap toothbrushes, get them - and give one to one of those people out there.

Up north we had deposits on cans and plastic bottles - some folks - when they're parking downtown for whatever reason, would gather whatever empties they tossed in the back seat, into a plastic bag, and just give the whole bag to a random homeless person sitting in the park. We get rid of our empties, and they have to actually work for their dollar. Win-win for everyone.

There was also a program downtown that many restaurants participated in. Customers could buy credits, that would be given to homeless people in exchange for a bite to eat (a cup of hearty soup and bread, or a small salad) or a cold/hot drink.

[jagdl]

I would often give money during the Pandemic. I have since quit. Sam St. John's cannot find dishwashers (low skills needed) Every fast food and restaurants have help wanted signs. If a person can stand in the sun and hold a sign they can wash dishes, help in the kitchen, get a job they can work up to better positions. When there were no jobs we gave. Now there are jobs and people don't wan them. I have decided with the Walmart and Mcdonald's sign holders I am part of the problem so I no longer hand out money. It is sad because that is not who I am but I choose to channel my giving to extra tips for the workers. When you want to give, give a $5.00 tip on a $4.00 breakfast. The smiles are worth it!!!!