No, many times the homeless are homeless due to their own faults and addictions...what I would suggest is helping them by doing more than simply giving them money...go buy them an outfit and set them up with a shelter and a job interview..

I agree they can work for money just like the rest of us. For example we went to walmart one time and there was a guy that can up to us said he was trying to get some money and ask if he could wash our windows. My husband said yeah and handed him a few dollars. When we came out of the store our windows were clean I mean clean. Then my husband started looking around he said that if he could of found that guy he would have given him more money.

Give them food instead of money. Unfortunately, most of the money gets used for alcohol, cigarettes.

i agree with xdragoox , sometimes i give my pennies, but if i have food i'll give them that or take them somewhere to get them food, since i know they'll probably go and spend it on alcohol or cigs though i know a lot of people who are homeless,and know they would spend it on that and ive also told them im not giving them money to spend on crap, if they got addicted they can get unaddicted

No, you should not always give to the homeless (or anyone else for that matter). However, it's wise to avoid any sort of fixed and rigid opinion about them as well -- we're uncomfortable around homelessness: the suffering and failure of others to handle basic life issues makes us nervous, and the temptation is to withdraw from them and just "label" them as lazy, crazy, or drunk. Part of maturing as a person is being able to balance compassion and wisdom: being able to actually allow oneself to care about the suffering of others, even if we're not sure what, if anything, to do about it. Simply giving handouts to people all the time causes a kind of addictive cycle of dependency. But ignoring those in need is both immoral and dangerous -- the stability of society is affected by the degree of severe poverty present, among other things. So the main job is to stay "engaged": to care, to vote, to try to take some action that's helpful when it makes sense to do so, and above all to avoid the temptation to hide away from homelessness, pretend it doesn't exist, or protect ourselves from feeling the pain of others. That willingness to be open and available is the workshop in which we come to terms with the question "what should I do?"

I used to consider helping out the homeless man that I saw everyday on the side of the road until the day I saw him with a 6 pack of beer that he bought with his donations. Tsure enough the next day he had his arm in a sling, provided by my tax dollars from the local clinic I'm sure!

I think you should; just as long as you aren't getting close to becoming one

not money, cause they could be faking it, maybe some food.

no!

I feel you should do what your heart tells you to do. You don't know their circumstances. I usually do if I can afford it because if it wasn't for the grace of God, that might be me or my family out there. I would certainly hope someone would want to help me out with judgements and criticism. I read a question similar to this and one of the answers someone said was she/he gave g.c. from like McDonald's. That is a good way to give without outright giving cash. But it's a personal decision to give or not.

The homeless are no different than anyone else in regards to basic physical needs. Food is definitely one of those needs. But, for example, just suspose someone needs a monetary contribution for transportation to a shelter where there is not only food, but access to a shower, deodrant, tooth brush, tooth paste, clean clothes, shoes, couselors for addictions, psychologists for mental conditions and a work program. My point is the homeless need the same things we have and take for granted. It's a good start but is just buying a meal enough?

After travelling through India and other parts of Asia,and seeing first hand the abject poverty and utter hopelessness that millions have to deal with on a daily basis, I can't feel very much sympathy for the homeless I see in America at all. They are by comparison, fat, lazy, self indulgent losers, and to give them money to enable them to continue being that way seems like an insult to the really needy people of the world. Anyone doesn't believe me? Go to Calcutta!!!

Not sure about always - but try to remember that not all homeless people are addicts, some people are mentally ill - which they haven't asked for - and with mental health services not being adequate (and you having to pay for health care in USA) sometimes we should have sympathy.

I would never give a homeless person money. Some people that say they are homeless actually make more money panhandaling than many people do at their job. If that is the case why would they ever consider getting a job? I would give them food or something they could use, if they really are homeless they will be thankful for anything you give them.

I agree with Auntie Em and go with my gut. Sometimes I give and sometimes I don't... further, sometimes I realize that I need to take care of my family and myself. It's not an easy thing to do, but important never-the-less.

I do give to the homeless, but not to thier pockets, I give to the local shelter that houses them, then that way, I know it will go for food and shelter, and not booze.

Yes if I could affort to do so.

No. I used to work in a downtown mall, and in the cafe on a coffee break, I overheard a few of the guys who grift in front of the mall year round complaining to each other about their living expenses... one of the guys was crabbing about the price of his cable bill! Later, talking with mall security, I learned that during the Christmas season, these guys can clear $350 a day... and I was managing a New York Fries for about a third of that...

I agree with Auntie Em about relying on that good old gut feeling. No, you should not ALWAYS give to the homeless. Personally, I find that giving in terms of time at a shelter or halfway house is more valuable than dropping change in a cup. If my gut gives me a good feeling, I still don't chuck change. One of the few times I have stopped to give something to a homeless person was because he had a dog and it was the latter part of summer. So I walked down to the store and bought some bottles of water and some dogfood (for the dog of course). I asked him what he was hungry for and he looked at me like I was nuts for a moment and then smiled and admitted he really wanted a doughnut. I went back to the store grabbed a box of doughnuts, asked if I could pet his dog, he said thank you and that was that. Give time or if you must give money, put it into the hands of an established, honest organization that helps the homeless.

I believe we should always help the homeless. If you want to truly take stock of a society, don't look at how the rich live, look at how the poorest live.

No, Not always. Once, We were going home and we were picking up some BurgerKing, When we were done buying, I was starved, But then we saw a homeless woman on the road. She had a sign that said "Hungry and Homeless" We couldnt help her with being homeless, So I gave her my dinner. I went out of my car and handed her the food, I said " God Bless!" That woman was serious, She was dirty and skinny. But sometimes they want money, That the time you make a choice, I would say a big NO. They might tell your what there buying witht the money, But its a scam. They might buy alchol,drugs,etc. So watch out and follow your instincts! Love you all, AnswerWoman532

personally I think it is not often a good idea to give money, unfortunatly, this means the money is not always used in the way it is most needed. Better to give food, clothing or a sleeping bag than money that can be wasted. Either that or give to a charity, hostel or soup kitchen. That way the most deserving are more likely to get help. Just a few stories, and I by no means believe that all 'homeless' people are scamming you. Or for that matter that they are there becasue they are adicts. However, there was a guy in my town who used to sit with his dog in shabby clothes and beg. At the end of the day, he would go round the corner and get into a pretty good car! There was a big scam a few years ago where romanian women stood on streets holding babies, begging for money to feed and clothe them. This was going on when my mum lived in york. She gave some money to one lady (she was pregnant with me, she felt guilty she had it so much better) Later that day, she saw the same baby in a different womans arms, with the lady still claiming it was her baby. It came out on the news a few days later that there had been men controlling these women (groups for each man) and taking all the money. The babies never got any of the money, they were just used as persuasion!

I agree with most here. I think it's also great to give to the needy. It's a lot better if you can go buy them a meal at a restaurant or offer to buy them some groceries. I think that helps the most. My church has an arrangement with a local Grocery store where the church will give the homeless person a check that they can present only to the grocery store only to get food and stuff.

In Leeds W.Yorkshire the council have provided collection boxes for donations that are guaranteed to go to homeless charities in the area. If you give to someone on the street they could be fakes or use the money to buy drugs,alcohol etc instead of food or shelter.This idea has all but eliminated begging from the precincts.

I will happily give to homeless charities, but never to a person begging on the street. More often then not they will spend the money on alcohol or cigarettes which aren't going to do them any good. I'd rather give to a charity which can provide them with shelter, food, warmth and clothing. In some instances they also provide medical assistance too. That, to me, is money far better spent.

Give to everyone that needs help, you will be rewarded for even the smallest kindness. Dont be judgmental, it could be you with your hand out?

Yes. my wife has always told me, that a homeless person may just be an angel, testing me. A quarter is not going to bankrupt me.

No especially if they the "God Bless" that means they dont even try to find a job

Giving money to the homeless may not help them at all but actually help to perpetuate their homelessness. Instead, give your time to helping them, and give your voice and your vote to those who want to make society better and fairer. Nobody grows up wanting to be homeless and literally anybody could end up in that situation. Many of the people we are talking about have mental health problems that they need help with, and society has to get better at helping them. There is no excuse for any affluent society having sigificant numbers of homeless people on the streets and this needs to be addressed at a national level.

No, no, no! But sometimes when you sense that their poor then thats when you should give.

NO! I only give to the guys that are really old and have really long beards. If they are clean shaven, there is no way I'll give them money...none, shaving is expensive

I do when I can, I know that not all homeless are on the street because of addiction, some are there because they were released from hospitals and have nowhere to go. I usually buy them something to eat, I know they need to eat and can't sell a sandwich for drugs or alcohol.

They certainly should be given food and shelter.

I never give them money. I give them half of my untouched sandwich.

No I think you should give to good causes instead of to an individual. The money would go so much further. You never really know why the person is homeless so giving to a business is always the smarter move.

Sure after they clean your windows : )

I had one guy tell me he was a security guard at my building but was fired and was now homeless. I told him he was a liar and he did this whole “what, you don't remember me I was so unimportant” thing and kind of got in my face. I called the police and waited for them to arrive. He was ticketed but I am not sure what the charge was.

No, you should just hand them crack or a bottle of whiskey.

No but it would be nice if you did it now and again, like the other day I was walking my dog and saw a homeless guy begging for money, I gave him a 5 dollar note.

I never give money to homeless on the street.. but I will offer to buy them lunch... if they refuse, I don't give them money.. and at this time of year I always carry an extra pair of "cheap gloves" ( the knit ones) in my purse, and I will give them those if they have none.

I never give directly to homeless people. I contribute to several local shelters. That way there is more chance the money will be used appropriately.

One way or another yes.

Always