by 
Hyper
ANSWERS: 100
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Only if they do tricks.
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If I feel generous.
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No,...I earn my money, and I'll be damned if it goes to buy someone elses booze.
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No, not in my country anyway. Housing is provided for these people by the council! I pay council taxes for this very reason. You give cash to those fiends and they just squander it on booze.
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they have to earn it... juggle, show mer a card trick, hop on one foot.. do something for it
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I used to... when I was 18 and first moved into a bigger city. I would hand out dollars or even $5 to just about anyone who asked on the street. They always had such sad stories- that their children were in the car, they were broke down without gas, they hadn't eaten in days. However, it didn't take long before I started noticing all these same "unfortunate" people running to the nearest corner or liquor store to buy drugs or beer with my hard earned money. Not to mention the fact that you would see the same ones day after day begging on the street- with a new and improved story every day. That's when I started giving them directions to the nearest shelter and soup kitchen instead of my rent money.
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I do actually. Generally a buck, sometimes a coffee if I'm leaving a building with a canteen and I'd noticed them on the way in. Being homeless near where I live, in -30 degree C temperatures isn't easy.
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No. Maybe it's wrong, or ignorant but: I have no idea what they intend on buying with that money. Honestly, I would feel better knowing that I am not paying for someone to liquor themselves up or deliberately mislead other people into giving money out of pity. There are places these people can go to get support, and if I am going to give money, it is going to be through those places specifically.
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I have a favorite homeless guy that I gave the loose change in my console cupholder to. He stands outside the opening of the tunnel coming from I-395 north through DC at New York Ave. He is very kind and I missed him when I didn't see him. But I more often will give food or a blanket or do volunteer work at a shelter (where I know what I am "giving" is productive). I have bought sandwhiches, cups of coffee etc. The scary thing is when you DON'T give them anything and they say rude things to you and chase you (gotta love Dupont Circle!)
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I have but not recently.
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I once gave a guy in Cardboard City nearly a full pack of cigarettes, he looked at them and said " Dunhill, havn't you got anything better than that?". I gave him some cash for the laugh and his cheek
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No. I give them food usually, or offer to go get them something. The ones in real need accept, the ones that aren't tell me where to stick it.
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Not money, ever. Call me cynical, but I hate to think that they'll go buy beer instead of a sandwich with my hard earned cash. Plus pan handlers can make a ridiculous amount of tax-free money. If they look especially needy, I'll give them something to eat, once went to McDonalds with my sister when we were kids and gave an old homeless man who was very sweet our french fries. Gave a homeless lady with a matted little Pomeranian a box of dog biscuits, too. I don't give cash, but if I've got something else that I think can be more helpful to them, I give that.
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Maybe once or twice. We have about the best social security system in the world. I work, so I pay for it. Maybe the homeless don't have a house, but all have free medicare, free cellphones, free meals, (sometimes even free drugs) and free shelters to bunk. Society also provides them with a small allowance, which is more likely spend on beer than on clothing...while enjoying the benefits of free life; sleeping in, no bills, no workload... I'm not suggesting it's a choice to become homeless, but it IS a choice to stay homeless. When people ask for spare change, I tell them I only have depths. (mortgage, loans...) I'm sure there are countries with more harsh conditions for the homeless, but still it would be a wrong signal to give money without getting anything in return; There's always work in cleaning the streets, giving directions and packing groceries, instead of complaining and drinking...
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yes - i too have someone i regularly give to
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I almost never give money to beggars just because I am not sure what it is going to go towards. However, if I am headed into a shop I will usually pick up some extra food or what ever they are asking for and if they are still there on my way out I will give them that.
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Yes I have. I gave money to a girl sitting in front of a convenience store. She was barefoot and dirty and said she needed diapers for her baby. The store was across the street from a motel that is known for a lot of drug activity and I was kind of hesitant to give it to her but I did it anyway.
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NEVER give money!!!! I had a brother that would have to beg. He was on drugs. If they gave him cash he used if they gave him food he ate. Once he got a 25 pound bag of potatoes and ate potatoes for a month. give them food or a item such as a blanket.
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I do in the States, but never in Amsterdam, where I am now. Some chick - get this - asked me for €400 the other night, at one in the a.m., to get her car out of impound. Crazy.
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I only give money to like crippled old people or just sad looking old people. When i see some guy who can stand straight, speak well, and seems healthy, i know its either for drugs or ciggarretes.
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No because they can by drugs with it. I give them cheeseburgers instead.
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i give them gift cards, i always have a giftcard for mcdonalds or wendys so i know that they'll spend it on food, not other things
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Money ? Never ! Ever ! I will buy them food though, usually coffee and a couple of donuts or a small sandwich. One time about a year ago a woman and her 2 little kids approached me for money, with the story that she was going into a womens' shelter the next day, and that she just wanted to get some food for her kids. I took her to the Cici's pizza that was next door, and paid for the 3 of them to get the pizza buffet. Was I being played ? Could've been, but I really don't believe so. Besides, God honored it.
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Yes. My father always told me you can't assume to know people's story. You don't know what they have been through in the past that got them where they are now. I don't give food because you never know what someone is allergic to.
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Yes, I do. Not to everyone I meet. Just the really young ones, girls mainly. Oh, and ones with dogs.
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depends if they scratch their neck when they ask me.
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I give money to Buskers not beggers. I would buy them a meal but I am not financing boozing.Nobody is going to get the chance to pi*s my salary up against the wall
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no, only to people that earn it by juggling, showing me a card trick, etc
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Sometimes, but I try not to give money that way. http://www.killingwithkindness.com/
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Yeah, I have to say it does depend a lot on their appearance and demeanor though. I am more inclined to give it to Big Issue sellers, where I can be assured it is going to be used constructively. For everyone non-British, the Big Issue is a magazine that people that have fallen on hard times sell on the streets. There are loads of sellers in my city, apparently because I live in one of the most generous cities in Britain.
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No because they probably have more money in the bank than I do. I will happily give to homeless charities, but there are such things as professional beggars who make hundreds of pounds a week. For this reason I will never give money to anyone on the street. If they were hungry I'd happily buy them some food.
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Nope. I tried to give bananas to homeless people before, but I was often turned down during the experiment. I don't want to feed the cycle of dependency. Ultimately, mental assistance & a job are what's needed. In my view, this is really a place for nonprofits and the government. I also know that some of the stories are very sad, and if you don't have a family network & get sick, or have inadequate health insurance, etc -- well, any of us could be on the streets one day. Hopefully, nonprofits or the government would be there to assist, and I wouldn't turn down coins or dollar bills from a passerby.
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Yes, I do. And only because if I was in that situation, I would want the same kind of generosity.
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I do give out money sometimes too. Or I have also been approached right outside a fast food place and I bought them some food. I felt good. Food is better than money.
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only if i can get change out befroe going by otherwise it wasn't ment to be
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No. But if I have time I'll buy some food and give it to them. The only problem, which happened once, is that they weren't there when I came back.
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Yes as long as I have it to give. I know most are probably frauds but I still give anyway. Where we live that has happened alot where people would try to let on like they were homeless or broke & needed food for their families just to find out later they had lost their kids because they were on drugs or something else. Thats happened to me alot, but mostly I will buy them food.
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I don't like giving them money. You never know what they're going to spend it on. If I'm near a grocery store I'll go in and buy them something to eat and/or drink. One time though, I came out with a sandwhich for a guy and he took it, then handed it back saying he didn't eat meat... -_-
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Homeless I have - Beggar's no
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Never. Giving them money helps them stay homeless. Also, I've seen someone take my hard earned money, then get in front of me in line at the store to buy booze....
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NO, I'm tired of being yelled at. I buy them food, they throw it down and tell me they wanted the money, one called me a bitch because I didn't have any money on me, and one almost broke the window to my car trying to get in it.
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Not always. Giving money is sometimes not the best thing to do. It might make you feel better but it is not going to solve their problems. In fact, it can make it worse, if the person simply drinks it or snorts it away. It is good, if you really want to help, to talk to the person and find out why they are there. 9 times out of 10, they are there because of psychiatric problems,because the medical system has failed them. There may not be much you can do for them, unless they are lucid enough to accept advice. For those who were there because of genuine problems (eg thrown out by parents, abuse, no job), you might familiarise yourself with the better welfare agencies, so that you can direct them to them for help. Otherwise, blankets, clothing and shoes always go down well, and some easy to eat nutritous food.
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No, never, typically they are poor and homeless because they spent their money on drugs and booze. The only motivation they could possibly have to clean up and actually get a job is if no touchy-feely people give them free money. Anybody, and I mean anybody can get work enough to feed themselves in America. If they would rather stand on a street corner and beg for others money than work, let them starve. (or go without booze for a few days more likely) The motivation to get off the street will come then. You help them most by NOT giving them the money you WORKED for.
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Only food, never money. I lived out of my car for about two months. No job, no hope, blind drunk all day. The only reason I got off my ass and stopped pan-handling was because I didn't make enough to eat AND drink. After a couple of false-starts I finally got sober and have been for 14 years. I don't know what would have happened to me if I was constantly given enough money to get by every day pan-handling. So, from that experience, I will not give people money, only food.
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No, they insult me too often.
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most of the time ,i give what i can.
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I would buy something from the closest restaurant/vendor and give it to them. I have given change before, many times...but I once saw a homeless man collect all his change and buy a pack of cigarettes. Ever since then, it's food or beverages.
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I would help.
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I would give them food or a drink, because though some of them are truly homeless and need food, some are doing it quite literally as a tax free job. Once when we were in Montana (I believe) this guy was begging for money, saying he had nothing, and we watched him from our hotel room, he walked over to a brand new mini van and drove off. While some are truly in need, some just are lazy. If they reject food, they aren't hungry.
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I've taken a couple people to a restaurant for a good meal and chat... but I don't give money without giving friendship too. Loving the person will do so much more than money every could.
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It is best not to give money, if you can avoid doing so, because it becomes too much of a temptation to spend it on unnecessary things (drink, drugs etc). We clergy have learnt this the hard way over the years. The best thing is, as some have suggested, to buy some nutritious food, and while walking, find out how the person came to be where they are. You might be able to point them towards some professional help.
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I always give them money i cant just walk away from them for some reason.
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I walk away and depending on their attitude i tell them go get a job lol j/k but i rarely give them money its just the truth i dont have much and so i cannot give anything away i just might get out there and ask for a dollar myself lol
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I give them my card, tell them they may train with me for free in the park on Sundays (homeless are often violence victims). I then give them a card from the food bank where I volunteer every Thursday. When the temperature drops below -25°C, I may possibly invite them to my home for a meal, to use my washroom & laundry, and to sleep on my warm floor. I NEVER give money.
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I give and do so often to my favorites...I love the folks at the end of the interstate ramp in my town... I give $1 and encourage hydration this time of year... they always give me a blessing as we part ways :)
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I have to give them money, it is a natural reaction.
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I give what I can and walk away.
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Unfortunetly, I am not in a position to give money, as I am frequently late paying my bills for lack of it. If money was no object, however, I would have to help. Then I could only hope they spent it to get some food, and not to support any habits they might have.
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I don't give them money unless I'm with someone to whom I want to look like a better or more generous person, like a "socially conscious" girl I'm trying to sleep with, or if I'm with a group of people and one of them gives too. It's all for show; I'd never give otherwise. Except if they were doing some sort of performance, like music or comedy in the street. I once gave a homeless guy a dollar, because he was smart and said "I'll stand on my hand for a dollar" and then he put his foot on his hand and lightly stood on it.
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No, I already know what their gonna do with it, so I just save them the trouble & go buy them a 40 oz.
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I walk right by, chatting to my friends
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No, but I've bought them stuff (sandwich, etc), and I routinely direct them to a shelter that I give money too.
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yes, i give money to the HOMELESS -.-
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Not directly. But help financially support places where they can go for help.
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Not money but I will go buy them something to eat and take it back to them.
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I give money to homeless people, yeah. I buy the big issue every month. That's all I can do.
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All the time. And food a lot too.
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Only if they're holding an honest sign like, "I need a beer."
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yes I have done so in the past and will do in the future, and I have brought food and clothes for them as well and taken them to places and people who can give them a helping hand to get back on their feet .... to me its the right thing to do
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Yes ! I have many times and probably will again.
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I NEVER give money, but I do donate my time and effort. Every Thursday I work as a volunteer at a food bank. I'm the guy who loads a truck with donated and inspected food from a major government run central distribution warehouse and then I unload it at our local food bank. Then as a bunch of others sort and divide it into individual bags, I fold and gather all the empty boxes for recycling. I prefer to give of myself rather than give money, because this way, I see the faces of those I help and I know exactly who will be eating what for the next week. With cash donations, there is a possibility of coruption, theft, or just plain mismanagement.
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I prefer to give them a sandwich, but sometimes I give money
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i dont see bums on the street.
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Once a year, I'm guessing.
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Not since I learned about people who beg for a career!
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I buy them a meal
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I tell them to do what I did, Get A Job.
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if i can smell booze then no i just get them something to eat, and i try to avoid the fast food because i'm sure they get that mostly anyways. there have been times where i had no money on me whatsoever, and that honestly made me feel like crap
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I almost always give them money. And I dont care what they do with it. Eat a meal or drink a drink, whatever they need. Help is always good.
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Giving money is only a short-term fix, and it may do more harm than good. Our church is an inner city church, and part of a mission that helps the urban poor. If I see them there, I give them food, either buy them a meal and a drink, or go back upstairs and get them a bag of food that will keep them going a few days. We had a whole lot of sandwiches left over from morning tea a few weeks ago, so I gave them out. In the winter, we give them blankets. They also get offered counselling, and we have a lodge for the homeless.
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if i got the money to spare hell yes
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I give what I can some people think that they will buy beer or whiskey or even drugs but I don't know that so I give my sisters think I'm crazy but thats ok I still do it.We never know what tomorrow really holds for us and we just may end up the same way and maybe someone would help me.
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I usually give them some spare change.
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I generally give em a couple bucks. "There for the grace of God......."
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No.
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Very few times.
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I rarely do, and here's why. I used to live in downtown Seattle and when I would go walking around the city I would always get asked for money for food, bus ride, etc. Most of the time it was for food and usually it was when I was on my way to grab a meal myself. I ALWAYS offered to buy dinner or lunch for them and many times offered to let them pick the place and they ALL walk away from me and start asking someone else on the street. When I do give money to someone, it's usually someone I know who may be in need, instead of a stranger.
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Yes i do =] It's good Karma. But there arent many beggers where i live. It's more upscale so its a rare occasion.
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Not money but McDonald's coupons or restaurant gift cards.
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Depends on the person. If they tell me something like "I'm trying to buy some weed" I've given them money just for being honest. The guy who claims he has 12 kids, needs to stop having kids. If they're street musicians, play me a funny song and I'll give them a few bucks. I've never paid homeless people to fight, yet.
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All depends, I have givin plenty of homeless money. There was a guy that was asking for money, he told me he wanted money to buy a beer and to call the local rehab center. I sat there with him and he actually called. But yes most times I do give them what ever change or a couple dollar bills.
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I have and I would to both.
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Yes I have gave homeless money.
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Food YES ... I even offer free self defense lessons in the park on Sundays in the late spring, summer, and early autumn ... I give them a card from the food bank I volunteer at every Thursday ... I give them the number of a few people I know who hire "under the table" workers as well as few real estate people and restaurant owners that always want some one to deliver advertising to mailboxes all over Montreal ... in a few rare cases on cold winter nights, I have offered my shower, a meal, and a warm floor to sleep on ... but I absolutely never give them money directly ...
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food yes...a job yes...money depends
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I once drove by someone who had a sign asking for food or money. I didn't have any cash so I drove to McDonald's and ordered a bunch of food and then I drove back and gave it to him. It know it's not the healthiest choice but it was hot and probably tasty.
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I donate to organizations made to help people in their situation. I won't give straight to a homeless person. I'd be afraid to approach them. But it's because I have social anxiety and I'm afraid to approach strangers.
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perhaps idk. you know homeless people these days.. usually make themselves that way... but if its like a hardcore homeless person, perhaps food.
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I used to give a dollar a day to a person who sat on a street corner near where I worked. Rain or shine or snow, he was there, jusy sitting with his dog and always had a friendly word for passersby. I used to somtimes get treats for his dog, as well. I also donate to shelters who provide food and lodging, but having a bit of cash so you have the dignity of making a few simple choices in your life is a good thing, too.
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I don't give money. I have offered to take them to a diner when they have asked for food. Only once did they take me up on it. All the others said they wanted cash! LOL!
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