Pissed*

You had a chance to edit and you choose not to. live with your mistake.

Ok, why did you tell me this?

to let you know. why else would I comment.

You also had a chance to edit comment #85, but you missed that.

But I don't care?

Giving homeless people money isn't always a good thing..sometimes it helps but I gave a homeless man a few dollars and watched him go right into the store where i work and buy beer. It probably sounds cruel to some, but my parents never let me give money to homeless people because you just don't know if you're helping, or feeding an addiction. (Not saying all homeless people are addicts. I grew up right next to Vermont and heroin was a HUGE thing up there and a lot of the homeless were addicts..so my parents let me give them food instead)..sorry for typing so much

While I understand your reasons for not wanting to fuel an addiction, I think it's important to realize that those people will be addicted until they get proper, professional care, and a perspective in life. Your giving them a few dollars more or less won't change a damn thing about them being addicted. I know there's a reasonable chance, when I give money to a homeless person, that they'll spend it on beer or drugs, but if they do, that means that sadly that's what they need to get through the day, and I'm not the one to judge. Not giving anything won't solve the problem. If you really want to contribute to a solution, consider donating to centers that offer proper psychological and medical care for homeless people.

You have some very valid points, but I dont really have money to go donate unfortunately... I myself am broke half the time, as I've been struggling to find a job. Ive always wanted to be rich just so i can help people like that. I gave a homeless man my lunch and cried after because i hated that I couldn't do more. My mother tried to comfort me by saying what I did was enough, but i disagreed. I fed him today but he will be hungry again tomorrow. Also, the area of vermont this was in, there were a lot of people who pretend to be homeless to collect money (it was on the news quite frequently)...so there was that risk in giving people money...i know the man I fed was homeless though...his eyes were so tired and he just looked so grateful for the meal i gave him...just wish i could have done more

Omg.... No just no. Does anyone remember Sara ? Homeless man kidnapped her at night after working at the family home, and sleeping there. Emmanuel, was his name.

You have heart of gold... Don't let it change if somebody cheats you for your kindness.. Some people have bad character and they just ruin the chances of all those who are in need..

I don't know about that Sara, but just because one homeless man kidnapped a woman doesn't mean they all will. 'Arguments' like that are what racism, homophobia and other forms of dicrimination build on.

#47 I have no idea who "Sara" is but I am pretty damn sure that you are referring to Elizabeth Smart.

31- Personally, I don't want my money going towards the purchase of drugs, but I also don't think they'll stop using if I don't give them money. And it's not just wanting to avoid contributing to a person's drug addiction. There are many people who aren't homeless that beg for money by trying to make you feel as sorry for them as possible and guilt trip you into giving you money. They would rather take advantage of people's kindness instead of getting a job because they can make much more than minimum wage if they're good at it. There are other ways to help them without giving them money directly. Ask them if they need anything specific or get them some food and water. The people who are really struggling will be grateful for any help they can get; the ones who aren't struggling will get angry and defensive. One time a guy stopped me outside of a store and asked me for some money to buy formula for his baby. I told him I didn't have any money I could give him but I would be more than happy to go back in the store with him so he could show me what kind of formula he needs and buy it for him. He just started cussing at me and calling me names all the way to my car. It honestly scared me. After that I was too afraid to offer help to anyone else because I didn't want the next person to hurt me instead of just screaming at me.

Wow, based on this, you must be a terrible person.

Outdated references much?

Never give homeless people straight money. Even just buying them a sandwich is better. If they are addicted to anything, they will spend all the money they get on their addiction. You are better off buying them food or clothes... Or if you are a baller, then giving them a motel room for a night, though you will probably be on the hook for some serious cash.

actually ive heard of people that beg for a living. like they act homeless. what i do is order food, take a bite out of it, then give it to them. if they are down on their luck food with one bite out of it won't hurt them.

@97 That's so gross. You have no reason to take a bite out of the food, so why do it? You have no idea what illnesses you may be carrying and spreading to people who have nowhere to rest while recovering from a cold or flu you gave them.

97 -- that is one of the most inane ideas I have laid eyes on. Why deliberately take a bite out of the food? Are you trying to establish your dominance?

i am not trying to establish anything. i am merely saying that i have seen people fake homelessness for tax free money, and some of them make a lot. so if i give, i order my lunch, take a small bite out of it, one that they can easily avoid eating and still get filled from, and give it to them. It's just enough so scum that fake homelessness for handouts don't take it. Usually i don't give directly anyway, i do research and find a good charity to give to.

@123 Your germs aren't staying where you bit from, they're spreading to the rest of the sandwich. If I were homeless I'd rather be hungry than catch the flu.

123 -- I am aware that there are a plethora of people out there that fake homelessness to reap the benefits. However, I still lack comprehension of your particular modus operandi. What does biting the sandwich or food item you have actually do? It's one thing if you were eating something, and you gave the rest to a dude or chick in need, but deliberately taking a bite out the food preemptively is asinine. I'm sure that the legitimately homeless people would probably take issue with that...