One of our local papers did a story on this same topic about 3 weeks ago.  The reporters traveled around and tried to track a bunch of the people who are flying signs at various intersections in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.  They found it was pretty much the same 75-100 people, who would work a corner for a day, then move on to another the next day.  It wasn't choreographed perfectly, and there was the occasional dispute when two people claimed the rights to a particular spot on the same day, but mostly it worked out well for all involved.

Those who had "the look" tended to make more money than those who failed to look homeless enough.  Slow days netted most of them between $35 and $100.  One guy claimed he stayed out until he made $160 a day.  He "worked" M-F and took weekends off, and brought in $800 a week. Cash.  Tax free.

One interesting point that many of the panhandlers subscribed to was the use of 2 different signs.  They scope out the oncoming traffic and then either fly the "will work for food" sign if they spot enough people who seem well off ( they are most likely to give you a buck or two, but never, ever want you near their home doing anything, including work).  Many also have the "Why lie.  I need a beer" sign which they fly when they see young people behind the wheel.  High school and college age kids respond to that pitch better than the rest of us, apparently, and many will actually give them beer if they don't give them cash.

The other interesting point from the article was that the newer and more expensive the car, the less likely the driver was to give them anything.  Drivers of old beaters are their primary target.  The theory is if you drive a crappy car, you're probably one missed paycheck away from joining them on the street, so you have more empathy for their plight.

There are 240,000 Kern County citizens on some form of assistance right now, Human Services Director Pat Cheadle told me. That’s a third of our population.

Wow.  I am genuinely floored. 

How can we sustain this?

The Psychology Of Panhandling.  Should be a best seller.

There was also a study done in NYC some years back and the amount of money they raked in was staggering.

I've never heard of charity solving a real problem. Charity is ideally given freely without an expectation of return. If one has reservations about doing so, don't donate.

Giving someone a card with an address or phone number is nothing short of mockery. What are you going to do to follow up on the card? Give them bus fare? Offer to drive them to a church or homeless shelter?  Offer to call the number for them?

If you're going to help them, help them. If not, better to ignore them and go about your business.

I was at the library about a week ago and this guy was panhandling.  I drove him to the grocery store and bought him about $40 in groceries.  While we were in the checkout line, he told me that he needed some "Sudafed for his kid's ant bites".  I told him that he'll have to get his dope on his own (or sell the groceries, I guess).  i don't do that. I felt like I was doing something good but felt like a sucker when I dropped him off at his house (trailer, actually).  I just rationalized it as doing my one good deed for the day.  Sometimes I have a heart for people begging sometimes I don't.

Hey Lois,

I saw a guy in Santa Barbara holding a sign that said need money for pot to keep the monsters in my closet. 

I have many friends, from church, who absolutely refuse to help anyone on the street asking for money. I've heard all of the stories of trying to buy them food but they refuse, stating they just want alcohol. Others have told me that they bought some groceries and the person turned around and feed it to their dog.

First, I believe it is my obligation as a Christian to help others, whether or not I think they need the help. If someone has been put in front of me (by God or just a matter of chance), who am I to judge their choices, lifestyle, etc and decide not to help them. That being said, there are limits to how much I can afford to help and sometimes I'm too busy...yesterday a man approached me while I was getting gas on Union Ave. I was also on my bluetooth on a conference call with my boss; I had to say no just because of the timing of his request.

However, I NEVER have given money to a person asking for it. Just because I believe that I am supposed to help them doesn't mean I have to help them exactly how they prefer. I have a standard response and it has become such a common occurence that even my children (ages 4, 5, & 7) know the routine. When asked for money, I tell them that I won't give them money, but they can meet me in the drive-thru at whatever fast food restaurant in close by and I'll gladly buy them something to eat.

Now, if I believed all of the stories that my friends have shared with me, you would assume that I would be turned down or the person would just walk away or tell me not to bother. I would say this happens about once a month or once every other month on average that I do this. I have NEVER once been turned down. EVERY time the person has graciously accepted what I have offered them. I think there is way more to their personal stories than many people assume and I think the "stories" people tell are excuses to not help these people.

I agree with the logic of giving them a card with information for available help. However, that assumes the individual is literate and has the resources to get to the location where help is being offered. I would venture to guess that the illiteracy rate with these individuals is higher than the general population, but that is just a guess.

I have many friends, from church, who absolutely refuse to help anyone on the street asking for money.

That's OK.  This atheist nearly always gives them spare change.  Christ would have done so, too. 

I won't give to the people on sidewalks holding up signs.  It's too dangerous because of traffic and because they might  try to strong arm me as I hand them the money.  

  But if someone comes up to me personally in a parking lot and asks for money, I'll  give them a dollar or two.  Why?  Because I don't KNOW for a fact that it's a scam.  It probably is a scam, but it's worth $2 to me to risk being cheated in order to feed someone who may be really hungry.  

What's the old saying:  "there, but for the grace of God, go I".

When I can I give what they use it for its up to them,,I will feed someone if they want food, my thought is you never know when a family member might need help and I would like for someone to help them,

Randomfactor, you rule.

I personally taught a student at CSUB who had been homeless (his story was featured in TBC, in fact) and had engaged in panhandling. I assume some of his money went to buy books, just as he told folks it would.

He was one of my best students, although he needed to polish some social skills. He was well liked and respected by everyone who worked with him.

I have served with several people that enlisted with no fixed address and were living on the streets.  When I was in basic training, there was a storage that all of our belongings were in and there were people that literally showed up with all their belongings in plastic bags.  It was an eye opener.

My late husbands older brother begs for money by the mall.  I've heard that he holds a sign that reads homeless vet, he isn't a vet and he isn't homeless! he lives in a trailer in his moms backyard.  He is a  47 yr old heroin addict and alcoholic  has never worked but for his dad selling  heroin!  When his dad died he lost his job! so now he begs, brags that he makes over $300.00 a day.   He even misspelled the words on the sign for added sympathy.

I've had people ask for food - which I've freely given.

One time when I was still living in LA, I was going into a Boston Market (Rotisseri chicken.... they don't have them here in Bako for some reason), and a young man around my age approached me - he was dressed in jeans and a button up shirt, and he asked me if I would buy him lunch.  I obliged and allowed him to get what he wanted, without feeling the least bit suspicious.  I normally do not give out money unless I'm in a specific mood (last time I did it, I was listening to the radio and Phil Collins "Another Day in Paradise" had just finished when I saw a bum with a sign.. I felt guilty.  Sadly, he probably got his fix with some of the change I gave him.

Another, more recent event transpired maybe 6 weeks ago - I was in the Oleander neighborhood on a Saturday morning with my wife at a garage sale when a gentleman dressed in a button down shirt and khakis approached me with his Vet card in hand.  He gave me a sob story that he was a trucker working for one of the local companies, but that they weren't giving him much work, so he wasn't making enough money to feed his kids.  He told me he didn't want to beg, so the ball was in our court - if we weren't interested, he'd be on his way.  On instinct, I pulled out my business card and handed to him and told him that if he wanted, I would cook dinner for him and his family - the ball was in his court.

He never called.

I was going into a Boston Market (Rotisseri chicken.... they don't have them here in Bako for some reason

Used to be one here.  Guess it went under. 

Used to be one here.  Guess it went under. 

For a good reason.  It was rank!

One particularly sweltering day, I was at a station filling up my car. There were three rather filthy people, one woman and two men, sitting in the shade next to the gas station. The woman was lying down, asleep. One of the men was an amputee in a wheelchair, and had a well-worn veteran's cap on his head. Normally I am leery of approaching strangers in situations like this one, but this time I went in to the store and bought three very large cold Gatorades, which I took out to them before getting back into my car. It was all I could afford at the time. They were very appreciative.

Sometimes the spirit just moves you to act, even when it is out of your comfort zone. You just have to hope you will be glad you did so.

 It was rank!

Really?  Every one I've been to on both sides of the country were good..

DS~glad to see you bring the raise student homelessness up."The number of homeless students out there is unknown, but this year, for the first time, the application for federal financial aid for college includes three questions that will help identify them." Belleville News Democrat

http://www.nationalhomeless...

A advocacy group for the homeless.

There but for the grace of *deity* go I.

Giving to organizations is great~ but how many do they turn away each night due to lack of beds?

I always give~ though not in traffic/street corners.Several months ago one of my sons less desirable "friends" came begging at my front door~ fresh from Lerdo. Again.

I gave him my last four dollars.

 There are 240,000 Kern County citizens on some form of assistance right now, Human Services Director Pat Cheadle told me. That’s a third of our population.

I wonder how many additional people would qualify, but aren't sure what kind of assistance is available.

Lois,

The thought that I could be homeless sometime soon is why I'm sympathetic to people asking for money. I don't have a lot of money, so I might depending on the day give them some change that I have in my pocket, usually under a dollar. I never open my purse right in front of them for fear they might run off with it. The last time I gave a person several dollars was when I had my wallet out and I had just stepped out of my car and a woman was right there. I was scared because she was so close to me and had caught me off guard, so when she told me her sad story that I knew was made up I gave her a few dollars just because I was glad I wasn't robbed.

I don't give money, partially because I just don't carry much cash and partially because of the reasons the others have stated. I will give food/items unless the person just strikes me wrong. For example, the guy that approached me at the gas pump and said his car has run out of gas "on the other side of that restaurant" (in a back corner of that parking lot rarely used by people)... that raised alarm bells. I didn't give money or offer to fill his car because either there was no car on the other side of that restaurant or it would be a REALLY bad idea for me, as a female, to offer to help push his car to the pump. That's one of the few times I went inside and reported the guy to the gas station attendants. On the innocent side, he was just panhandling. But on the possibility he was hoping to lure someone behind the restaurant, I thought they needed to know.

When I am approached it depends on how I feel at the moment. If I am in foul enough of a mood they might get a tongue lashing. In general like tootall said giving is my standard M.O. (religious affiliation not required). Their reasons for asking are not important. I have been lucky enough to not be addicted to drink or drugs, but there have been times low self esteem has been a monkey on my back. Being judgmental in those situations is nasty habit of the self righteous and only adds to the troubles of these people.

I do have a couple of exceptions:

I used to spend my days off in San Francisco. It was not uncommon for one or a group of young guys dressed in expensive shoes and jackets to be standing or walking passed and one would turn and say "Gimme a quarter". For my visits to the inner city I would assume a rough urban attitude of my own and suggest he "Go F . . .  " do something to himself. These incidents, not so much panhandling as intimidation or possibly taking a swipe at yuppie guilt. Since that time I understand the city has been over run by up scale types buying and gentrifying everything in sight in the hopes of buying into being hip. There are still many truly homeless but maybe not so many thugs. 

The other one is the old story of a sister, mother, aunt that is 100 miles away and dying of something.  Just enough for a bus ticket or gas is all they need "anything you can give would help" . Does anyone fall for this one? I could assume my basic stance of giving without question. But the Griff is so poorly executed. Really there have to be standards. Sad to say once or twice I have mocked them by stretching it out by asking for details. What is he, she, they dying from. Are you close? I don't see a car, where is your car? and so on till they give up. Just the other day a man in his thirties approached me in the parking lot of P.F.Chang's. A few feet behind was a girl of about 10 or so. The story and the way they were dressed and how they came from off the property just didn't add up. If they had a car it was miles away. Why walk all the way out there? I didn't wait for my questions to be answered. Waved him off. 

It comes down to weather you feel self interest or empathy is what's important in life. 

I agree with Audrey....the Boston Market here was nasty!

I can understand the whole thing of people being homeless because they've lost their jobs.  What I don't understand is how foreclosure automatically leads to homelessness.  Where did they live before they bought homes they couldn't afford?  They were foreclosed upon, and now can't find a rental?  I don't get it.

Here's another resource to give to a homeless person:

Employer's Training Resource - 661-325-4473.  If they can approach people and ask for money, or stand in one location all day with a sign, then they're bound to love these jobs!  They can let people approach them with money at McDonalds, while they take their order, or they can stand on the corner of New Stine & Stockdale and jump up and down waving a sign!  The plus side is they won't have to ask others to fork it over because they'll be doing what most hardworking Americans do - EARN IT THEMSELVES.

pamg, foreclosure kills your credit score and a lot of apartment complexes and management companies for single-family residences will run a credit check before renting/leasing. Unless they are seriously hurting for tenants, they can and have turned down rental applications over bad credit scores.

I like it when a begger asks me if I have any extra change.  I just say yep and ignore them. 

This is for you BanditIvy

Dinner In Heaven

Mother Teresa died and went to heaven.
God greets her at the Pearly Gates.

"Be thou hungry, Mother Teresa?" saith God.
"I could eat," Mother Teresas replies. So God opens a can of tuna and
reaches for a chunk of rye bread and they share it.

While eating this humble meal, Mother Teresa looks down into Hell
and sees the inhabitants devouring huge steaks, lobsters, pheasants,
pastries and wines. Curious, but deeply trusting, she remains quiet.

The next day God again invites her to join him for a meal.

Again, it is tuna and rye bread. Once again, Mother Teresa can see
the denizens of Hell enjoying caviar, champagne, lamb, truffles and chocolates.

Still she says nothing. The following day, mealtime arrives and
another can of tuna is opened. She can't contain herself any longer.

Meekly, she says:

"God, I am grateful to be in heaven with you as a reward for
the pious, obedient life I led. But here in heaven all I get to eat
is tuna and a piece of rye bread and in the Other Place they eat like
emperors and kings! I just don't understand..."

God sighs. "Let's look at this realistically, Mother Theresa," He says.
"For just two people, does it pay to cook?"

Audrey,

I saw how you did that .  :   )

--virgil

This is a true story. 

It was in the early 1970's when I lived on the east side of town.  Everything was wild and woolly back then. 

I was at a never ending party where the booze was flowing.  It was flowing so fast that we we're running out.  I volunteered to go to the liquor store for more wine and beer.  A guy (only 19 at the time) was going with me to help carry the stuff and protect me from any "creeps" I might encounter.   Everyone pitched in whatever money they had.  My friend (the escort) only had $5 but he put all of it in.

When we got to the liquor store we were met by a pathetic bum sitting against the wall of the building.  As soon as I saw him, I hugged my purse close to my chest.   The bum saw us,  stumbled to his feet and held out his hand.  He said, "Do you have any spare change, I'm hungry".  I said "NO"!    My friend turned to me and said, give me back my $5.  I did and he promptly gave it to the bum.

I protested saying, "I hope you know he's only going to go in there and buy booze with it". 

My Friend said, "So what.   That's what I was going to do with it."

my next door neighbor got mugged last week because he told a panhandler he didn't have any extra change.  The neighbor had stopped to get gas (out of town) and the guy hit him in the head with a hammer and took his wallet. Fortunately my neighbor is 6'4" and a couple of hundred lbs and he got the hammer away from the guy and the guy took off with his co-hort. My neighbor required 19 stitches in his head.

Guess we will all be "armed and dangerous" in the near future eh.

I'd say,

Blessed are the Meek, Audrey.

That's a good story.

--virgil

Couldn't God get takeout?

Is there a place in town offering moussaka take out ?

--virgil

I don't think so. 

Actually, that could explain a lot ...

--virgil

Cafe Med has it...but why would you want moose kaka? 

Although it kinda goes with the "humus" they advertise on the menu...

Random

All the good cooks were in hell cooking for the condemned.   Besides, what else is God going to do with all that bulk tuna he bought at Smart and Final.

All the good cooks were in hell cooking for the condemned.

And he doesn't have the phone number of  Hell's Kitchen?  He could afford to tip the delivery imp...

One time this guy asked me if I had any change that I could spare him.  All I had was a $5 bill.  I asked him, "Can you break a $5 bill?"  He said "yes."  So I said, "Then I'm not giving you any spare change."

I rarely give money to people who ask me for spare change because it's always so startling when any kind of a stranger approaches me for any reason.  People make me nervous, especially when I have my kids with me, which I invariably do.

However, I was brought up to treat everyone with the same respect, be they CEOs of corporations or homeless people.  I would never be rude to someone and intentionally hurt their feelings, because that would make me a scumbag, and there are already plenty of those in this world.

Wasn't it God that said "Survival of the Fittest"? I think that applies to bums as well.

 Wasn't it God that said "Survival of the Fittest"?

I think it was some dude named Darwin.