What is YOUR "giving to the homeless" policy for those that ask for money randomly?
828626
I give randomly if at all.  I figure if given money, they might spend it on something like booze or drugs.  I'd rather my $$ be spent on something to improve their lot.  One way to do this is to donate to an organization that provides meals, shelter, and help for homeless people.  Donations can be in the form of money or of one's time.  Either way, the donor can be more certain that their money is used wisely.  This is not the case when one gives cash to a homeless person on the street.
988757
I think it depends where someone is panhandling.  In Calgary, where I live, there is a campaign to donate your spare change to the organizations which support people living on the streets, rather than donating to the people asking for money on the corner.  There are a couple of reasons for this.\n\n1. Not everyone asking for money needs it.  Look at their shoes, their nails.  Some of the people are making more than most of us who work 40 hours a week.  It's a fun thing to go and get spending money from someone with a big heart.\n\n2. Some of the people asking for food or money are getting violent.  A woman was taken by a girl's story of hunger.  She went and bought food at McDonald's and the girl threw it at her, telling her she only wanted money.  The girl swore at the woman and became extremely angry.  People are feeling threatened that they will be hurt if they don't give money.\n\nHonestly, I prefer to give gift certificates for Tim Horton's or McDonald's.  They can't be converted for cash and they will provide a meal or hot drink...that can be more important than money.
1074541
Yes and i think everyone does this at one point or another without realizing it.  It is all the small things.  You can put a quarter in a homeless man's cup or give the right of way to another driver.  This is kindness but no one sits there and say "i paid it forward"
1050873
I used to do that, and got $20 the first time, and $30 the second time I donated in a week, so I could potentially get $50 a week doing so. I never made it that often though, I confess. : /
942563
Giving a bribe is when you give somebody money and expect them to do something for you in return.  It's like buying a favor.  For example, if your daughter is not doing her homework and you give her 10 bucks to do it, that's bribe.  The only reason she did the homework was because of the money.  The only reason you were willing to give her the money in the first place was so that she would do the homework.  Can you understand that?\n\nJust giving somebody money is different.  It's when you give someone money and you dont really expect anything in return.  For example, if a homeless guy/beggar asks you for a dollar and you give it to him, you are just giving him money.  There is no way you expect anything in return.  He won't pay you back with interest and he sure as hell won't do you a favor.  He might use it to buy food or some booze.  Another example is giving a charity $100 because they said so and convinced you about poverty or the hardships of cancer or something.  They are SO not gonna give you much in return, but you did it out of the kindness of your heart.  That's what it is to just give money.\n\nI hope my examples helped you.  Bribing is considered to be a "sinful" thing that you should never do.  Especially not when you are trying to raise your kids (not that you are, but I'm just getting that off of my chest).
1186391
I fortunately have not had too many issues with this, although I do understand where you are coming from.  I was homeless myself about 12 years ago - and not once did I end up panhandling for any change or money.  At the time, I was too embarrassed - but the fact of the matter is, there were organizations out there to help.  I would much rather send my money to one of these places than to the person's hand just so they can go buy cigarettes or beer (and that is what happens to most of it, I have seen that for a fact.)  One thing that I thought of though, if you wanted to do something to help them - perhaps get them off of your back (oh, its that guy again. leave him be he never gives anything), and perhaps the organizations that are out there as well, then do this:  make a small list of a few of the organizations around your area that offer hot meals, shelter, etc... and type it up.  Print out several pages of this, just to have about 10-12 of these slips of paper on you when you go out.  Whenever they ask you for help, hand them one of these folded up, most of the time they will take it thinking it is money.  They may not like the fact that it wasn't a dollar bill, but in the end you have given them a free meal, or shelter for the night.  You have saved yourself (hopefully) some of the hassle that they give you all the time because eventually, when they get the idea that they are only going to get this piece of paper from you, they will probably begin to avoid you on the street.  Also, you may inadvertently be helping these organizations.  Many rely on funding, which in part rely's on how many people they are helping.  If you send them more people, they get more funding.  \nEveryone gets something out of this solution.\n\nAnd for anyone who reads this - don't feel guilty about not giving to the panhandlers.  The news programs have done actual stories on people who do this for a living!  Seriously, they get up, put on dirty clothes, have their wives drop them off at a corner and put in a full 8 hours of panhandling.  One guy stated he made more at this than he did at his previous job.
997350
I dont give money, i give food, i always carry food with me to give to the needy. its a really nice thing, or if you have restaraunt leftovers, they love those too!\nplus you know that they are not using it for drugs or alcohol, and that they will gain some nourishment from it.
345632
I donate frequently to the homeless shelter, work in the soup kitchen as a volunteer, etc.\nMost homeless shelters will gladly accept clothing, blankets, pillows, toilet paper, dishes, beds, and just about ANYTHING you can think of (toothbrushes, combs, soap).
563761
Of course, am I supposed to give them money? This only teaches them a greater dependence on others. They need to get a job. There is nothing wrong with keeping it real, and telling them good advice. That advice will go alot longer than saying slipping them a buck or two. They probably use it on drugs or a 40 oz of alcohol. It's not my fault they got theirself in that position, so therefore it's not my responsibility to help them. They should help themselves. If they can't then oh well. That's natural selection. May the weak perish and the stronger survice. Welcome to humanity!
666990
Giving does not have to be in the form of money. You can give a helping hand by helping someone cross the street, hold a door open, offer to babysit...etc There are so many ways one can be giving. My husband can be the type to give and want something in return. I am not like that, I like to give, especially when the other person is in a very needy situation. God is the one that will reimburse us for our good deeds. Remember that what we sow is what we grow.
601202
as long as you are giving them away in the spirit of charity who cares who gets em. I would rather give to a needy person than to a place that will make money off of my donated stuff.
153187
My brother in law is homeless (by choice because he doesnt want to pay child support).  I know he gets food from the food kitchens but I dont know if they are supported privately or by the government.  I know he gets free medical becaue he was in the hospital for 2 months (liver problems due to alchoholism) and he didnt have to pay a penny. I know when its cold he just stays at shelters which are free (Im not sure who pays that). But basically he gets free food, medical and shelter.  What more should be done for him?\n\nI guess the governemnt give him a free car and pay for his gas.
133071
Give them some food.  I don't like to give out money because who knows what they'll spend it on.
46394
Dress up like a homeless person and beg for change.
1064238
Helped someone much less fortunate than myself. You should do this every day. The world would be a much better place and it would cost you nothing but your time. Of course, for it to be meaningful you should not tell anyone else of your efforts. If you advertise your generosity you are doing it for yourself, not the other person.
322415
I do help the homeless, my husband and I have started a homeless outreach at our church. We take clothes and food under a bridge once a month(we are a small church and it takes us that long to collect everything) and hand them out. We also hand out blankets when it's cold, shoes razors, tooth brushes, tooth paste and much more.
438873
Will you give money to anyone who asks??\n\nThere is your answer