Do you spare any change for the homeless?

Question

Is it better to give the homeless £1 here and there, or give the money directly to a homeless charity?

There are a lot of homeless people on the street, and I cant give to them all. But I am stuck to know when I should put my hand in my pocket or if I should say "no sorry, I dont have any change" even if I do.

The other day a woman with 2 toddlers came up to me in the street, the woman asked for some money for food for her children. I was torn between giving her a £5 note, or saying no sorry. Obviously in this case £1 wouldnt be enough and the idea of her kids being hungry and getting no food is terrible. Like they are being punished for their mothers choices.

What would you have done in this situation?

Answer 1

No because then they will use it to by heroine, crack, or even whores. Just throw them some food or something which they can't abuse.

Answer 2

I prefer to give them food if they are begging in the streets.

Answer 3

i look at thier shoes before i give them money why you ask because if they have more expencive shoes them my own then i half to ask weather they are husslers or lazy people most true home less dont were 100 dollar pluss shoes

Answer 4

I used to ignore them, but I've recently decided to give small amounts to specific street people.  It's hard to know whether they use it for food or shelter (although the mom with 2 kids probably did), but it just panged my conscience too much to ignore them.  Still - I give very little.

Answer 5

for tax reasons official charities are better, but bothe ways will do wonders for your karma.

Answer 6

Sure if they're dirty, dressed in rags, I haven't seen them before and I have some loose change.  I'm happy to do it.  I don't care if they spend their money on whatever makes them happy.  I don't judge.

Answer 7

I'll only give to those i see on the street if i'm convinced enough that they are homeless and skint. The ones u see with their kids are usually scammers (thats why they take their kids with them, for sympathy). And, not being funny but most of these 'homeless' people always look fatter than me and i'm not stick thin! They must be getting a good meal from somewhere!!!

Answer 8

Better to give to charity for the homeless, would not encourage begging , its against the law.

Answer 9

I dont ever give money to people who ask me on the street regardless if they have kids or not. more often or not you know they are gonna spend it on special brew or watever the homeless drink these days. i`d rather give straight to a charity. At least you know its going to the right people.

Answer 10

The only homeless people in this day and age of the "nanny state" are those who want to live rough. So I would not give them one brass farthing.

Answer 11

I would find out where she lives and take them to a food market and buy all she wanted if i could afford it or ide just do best i can do.take them home.

Answer 12

they are usually smoking if they can afford f**s at todays prices they can afford food

Answer 13

You should have called the English equivalent of CPS.  If someone is homeless it's obvious that they are unable to care for their children.

Answer 14

i give to the Charity's as i feel that way i know that my money will help feed the homeless etc...

Answer 15

thats a hard qs. normally i wouldnt give money to homeless cuz i dont know whether they're spending it on food or just buying drink and drugs but in a situation like that im really not sure what i'd do, gonna say i would cuz thats what my morals are telling me but i still dont know

Answer 16

I used to give money to homeless people I saw but dont anymore, you see so many you will be giving away a fortune somedays.

That situation with the woman and her children would have been a tough one but I dont think I would have given her any money I would possibly have taken them for something to eat myself. Some people may think this is harsh but we all know that there is help available to mothers. There is no way that she would not have been getting money each week for her children. She was probably lying about her children needing to be fed and was looking for money for other things possibly drugs. I know there are mothers who struggle but feel this was not neccessary.

Answer 17

No I never give to people in the street only registered charities. There are so many scam artists now that are earning a sight more than you and me by street begging.  Don't be fooled, they use children, dogs etc. to get false  sympathy.

Answer 18

personally I would give a homeless person a few quid directly to them (which i have) than give to a Charity that looks after them(supposedly)...i read some were that only 10p out of every £ goes to help them

Answer 19

I have always been told that it's better not to just give spare change to the homeless... many of them will unfortunately use it to buy drugs or alcohol.  However, I frequently see people buying food for the homeless (from a sandwich shop or something) instead.  That's probably the best option if you want to be 100% certain that your money goes to actually help them.

Answer 20

I buy the big issue and usually give more than the issue price. In the case of the asking for money for food, when I'm not too sure the money is for food is I've been and bought a hot drink and snack. It's sad when we are all sceptical about wether the money is going to be used for food etc, that's my way of doing the right thing and it stops me from thinking that giving money to some is as bad as buying them drugs.

Answer 21

If there were a store nearby I would have purchase some food items for her children that way I'd know the kids would eat otherwise who knows where the money would go.

Answer 22

I have three charities which are close to my heart, and my bank account is lessened every month. I never give to street beggars with one exception, when I have a win on the horses I have been known to drop a hundred in his tin.

Answer 23

i give both ways...except to big issue sellers..especially when they block my way and hold it to my face and say in the most put on stupid voice "bigggg izzzue, help mez" and then you see them an hour later get in a car and drive off home.

Answer 24

i just hand them the heroin directly

Answer 25

I would have told her to sod off!! Sorry but any mother with kids will be entitled to housing and benefits therefore there is no reason for them to be begging on the streets, disgraceful, I would have reported her to the police or social services, she is clearly using her kids to get softies like you to cough up.

I don't give to any homeless - I think in this day and age there is no excuse to be living on the streets. People often say well these people may have had to leave hime due to terrible circumstances, maybe true but there are hundreds of charities out there to help these people, I always think each pound I give is one less to give my own kids and my kids are my top priority.

Answer 26

One was counting hes money and he had more than me ,,and then climbed into a big car and drove off ,,,now all spare cash goes to my Grandchildren,,,,,

Answer 27

what I do is...I avoid giving them the money but instead buy them food when they need it...because sometimes they ask for money just to buy alcohol and stuff...or as you say you could just give it directly to a homeless charity

Answer 28

well with the shelters and charitys you can be confident that the money is going to good places..

sometimes people are homeless bc of drug and alch problems and they want money to get those things..

and i deff don't support that

the one's on the street that come to my window in the city streets scare me..

but id deff probly give money to a woman and her children.. that breaks my heart : (

Answer 29

i have a supply of "hobo bags" that i keep in my car.

i fill them with food, juice, hand-warmers, and an inspirational quote or two.

it is often more helpful to the homeless than simply giving them money.

Answer 30

definetly not to her.  if she has kids she is spending the money elsewhere, cps should become involved

Answer 31

I would have NOT given her any money,.  I would have offered to take her and her children to the closest fast food restaurant and bought them a meal