Is it right to give homeless people spare change?

Question

I mean i always thought that it was kind of me to give homeless people change, like just a couple of dollars. But then my friend said that i should never give them any money since they will just spend it on drugs etc...?

Is she right? Should i stop giving them spare money?

So is it right or wrong to give change to homeless people?

Answer 1

No, you should not stop giving homeless people money or spare change. It's just a simple act of kindness that really won't take too much away from us. I do it all the time. Once I give them, I don't care what they do with it. Many of them are genuinely hungry and that's why they ask for spare change. I try to think of it this way, if the tables were turned, would I want someone to have compassion on me? Yes, I think so. However, your friend does have a valid point. To give someone money to buy drugs or alcohol is to enable him or her. I am a little hesitant to give when I can smell the alcohol on their breath. However, most of the time we don't know if they are sincere or not.

Hope this helps!!!

Answer 2

I don't give homeless people money basically because I have none to spare and not only that many are not asking because they are hungry.  I would rather buy them something to eat.