Comments on: The Cost of Helping Strangers http://www.outofdebtagain.com/2008/08/cost-of-helping-strangers/ ...we did it before, we can do it again Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:17:08 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: a.b. http://www.outofdebtagain.com/2008/08/cost-of-helping-strangers/comment-page-1/#comment-224 a.b. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:20:00 +0000 http://www.outofdebtagain.com/2008/08/the-cost-of-helping-strangers/#comment-224 It's a hard debate. In Las Vegas we get a lot of people out in the heat who obviously have no place to go, otherwise they wouldn't be standing in 110 degrees. I usually try and keep bottled water and/or granola bars for people in need. If someone asks for money I tell them I will buy them food if they're hungry. I've found an overwhelming majority truly just want something to eat. I've only had one person turn down food. <br/><br/>I got into an argument once with a woman who told me that if I gave a person something to eat then more of "those people" would just "come in droves." Her real problem turned out to be a derogatory attitude to those down on their luck (not the case here :-)).<br/><br/>Regardless of whether you give to an individual or an assistance organization, I think it's important to remember that in today's age of foreclosures and financial uncertainty, many people are one paycheck away from homelessness. I think it's good "karma" to help others.<br/><br/>Maybe communicating with the giving couple and talking to them about volunteering their time at a local organization instead of giving money all the time. Also picking up a few pamphlets about local assistance organizations for the people around you in need. Not everyone will be grateful, but if just one person can benefit from your story or your effort, maybe they can help someone else....etc. It’s a hard debate. In Las Vegas we get a lot of people out in the heat who obviously have no place to go, otherwise they wouldn’t be standing in 110 degrees. I usually try and keep bottled water and/or granola bars for people in need. If someone asks for money I tell them I will buy them food if they’re hungry. I’ve found an overwhelming majority truly just want something to eat. I’ve only had one person turn down food.

I got into an argument once with a woman who told me that if I gave a person something to eat then more of “those people” would just “come in droves.” Her real problem turned out to be a derogatory attitude to those down on their luck (not the case here :-) ).

Regardless of whether you give to an individual or an assistance organization, I think it’s important to remember that in today’s age of foreclosures and financial uncertainty, many people are one paycheck away from homelessness. I think it’s good “karma” to help others.

Maybe communicating with the giving couple and talking to them about volunteering their time at a local organization instead of giving money all the time. Also picking up a few pamphlets about local assistance organizations for the people around you in need. Not everyone will be grateful, but if just one person can benefit from your story or your effort, maybe they can help someone else….etc.

]]> By: Kacie http://www.outofdebtagain.com/2008/08/cost-of-helping-strangers/comment-page-1/#comment-223 Kacie Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:59:00 +0000 http://www.outofdebtagain.com/2008/08/the-cost-of-helping-strangers/#comment-223 My dad helps just about anyone he sees if they have car trouble. He does it because he hopes that someone would help me, my mom or my sister if we were ever stranded.<br/><br/>I used to frequently walk down a street known for its panhandlers. As a broke college student, I rarely had money to offer them. Once, I offered a granola bar to a man who asked for money.<br/><br/>"No thanks, I already ate," he told me. Oh. I hadn't, so I'm glad I kept the snack.<br/><br/>I don't like to give money to people who seem like panhandling is their career. Instead, I'd rather give money to local organizations that can help people in tough situations. My dad helps just about anyone he sees if they have car trouble. He does it because he hopes that someone would help me, my mom or my sister if we were ever stranded.

I used to frequently walk down a street known for its panhandlers. As a broke college student, I rarely had money to offer them. Once, I offered a granola bar to a man who asked for money.

“No thanks, I already ate,” he told me. Oh. I hadn’t, so I’m glad I kept the snack.

I don’t like to give money to people who seem like panhandling is their career. Instead, I’d rather give money to local organizations that can help people in tough situations.

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