Might it be more compassionate to give money to the homeless?

Question

I read a lot of articles claiming that you shouldn't give money to the homeless. The usual reasons being that they are drug addicts, or just lazy. Today, I bumped into one. He asked if I had any change...

A whopping 6 cents I had on me. I ended up throwing in some smokes too, because I saw him with a cigarette, and knew that was something he wanted.

I am curious as to what makes people believe that the homeless don't deserve any luxuries. Small luxuries. Smokes, 10 bucks. A beer, 6 bucks. Drugs? Maybe 20 or 30. We walk out into the winter air, and can't even tolerate it for the 30 seconds it takes to catch the bus. They live there 24 hours a day. Who are we to say you can't have things that are bad for you, yet alleviating?

I have lived on the street without money in the summer, and that was hard enough. The way people blanket homeless people under one motive disgusts me.

Even if they jip you, they're just trying to get by. There is no guide to how one must live their life.

Answer 1

I agree with you.  Just not drugs or alhocol.  That isn't helping them.  God watch over then.

Answer 2

I would give money or blankets. Some will misuse the money. but some will really need it to go to a motel for the night or buy food, or toiletries.

Answer 3

Not really, we should help all who are in need but when one does and they miss-use it then one can go help elsewhere. In many cases that is the way in which they wish to live, it is there choice, and they in many cases refuse public assistance. Peace

Answer 4

Unless you are prepared to make a large monetary commitment to getting a homeless person permanently off the street, giving them small amounts of cash won't help them much. If they decide to use your money for alcohol or drugs... you're only helping to make their problems worse. Homelessness can be the loneliest and most isolating experience a  human being can face; it can actually cause mental illness. If you want to help, there are more meaningful ways to do that.

A new pair of jeans, a new pair of shoes, or a warm coat, can help people feel like a million bucks. Offer to take them out for a warm meal, or visit with them over a cup of coffee. Not  all homeless people want help, and may feel ashamed to be targets of charity. They are not all dishonest, or out to take advantage of people. Probably the most valuable gift you can give to a homeless person that really wants to get off the street, is a little commitment of your time, and even better... your friendship.

If you find a homeless person who is willing to sit down and talk to you for a while, you might find they are just regular people like everyone else. Every situation is different. It's much easier to wind up homeless these days than most people think. You might want to offer to help them apply for housing assistance, or social service programs, like Medical Assistance. This kind of help goes much farther than handing out money. If people can survive on the streets off small monetary handouts, often times it will keep them from seeking the kind of help that might actually get them off the street.

Answer 5

I'm glady make donations to local shelters who support the homeless, but I won't support drug or alcohol habits for anybody whether their homeless or not.