Wow, hadn't even read the thread responses..., just did...got it!

That evening with my nephew just stands out in my heart and mind so clearly from 8 years ago, the love and look on his face...and the good he was actually doing.
I was standing there ready to be cynical (from my own experiences) and he taught me so much...again.

He said that yeah, there are a lot of times he tries to hand out the cards and gets a nasty reaction...but the few times someone takes him up on his offer to get them to the shelter and truly needs the help, outweighs the bad experiences.

He was raised in a VVVery Smalltown in Ohio and was just flabbergasted by the 'homeless' situation in the DC area, so he decided to do something about it.

I say you help others by teaching them to "do"..... giving money away gives only to the giver really.... Time, goods, and services are far preferred to me. Money seems like, Oh go away, I don't have time". Also, in my heart of hearts if these people truly wanted help they would be at a shelter or asking for a ride to one anyhow. I'd gladly give money, and do, to a local shelter. So does my mother, and she moved out of state years ago.

JMO.

To make sure they didnt buy beer with my money, I'D go out and buy it for them! Ha!

I think it is commendable when anyone choses to help in any manner they can live with, but to assume that because they do not accept an offer for food/coupon that they aren't just as in need of assistane as someone who does is a huge assumption. I'll agree there are those just playin' us, but I can't make the assumption about all of them, so I give and hope however they chose to use the money I have met some kind of need, not one I've imposed upon them, but whatever it takes for them to personally get through another day.

Lilbug, I'm sory but I could not find any posts that remotely resembled your remark.

I do not think that anyone in here is assuming anything.....

Even though the truth is that they are almost exclusively drug addicts and alcoholics and some do really do it for a living(and do well) I do give my change to people or a dollar, whatever. However, if I'm walking through the city and person after person comes up to me it starts to get annoying and I say "no man, I've already given out all I can spare."

I think any time an offer of help is made with a condition attached, there's already been an assumption made.

But why is offering a food coupon conditional? To say that it is...... doesn't that discount that maybe the person offering it has no cash or that is all they themselves can spare? Isn't saying it is an assumption an assumption in itself?

I don't give out cash as I never have any. I don't carry it, ever. The point that if I did I'd not give it is irrelevant. So if I do something else other than give cash why would my offer be conditional, restrictive, or judgemental on its face?

I am sorry if you have taken my replies to this thread as a whole as being toward you, that is not the case.

My overall point is, because someone asks for cash rather than food/coupon makes them no less needy than someone who doesn't. Giving cash and then insisting they spend it the way you see fit is not charity and suggests to me an assumption on the part of the giver. Offering food to someone who has asked for cash and then becoming indignant because they don't accept it is not true charity.

Ohhh.... I in no way took your remarks personally, this is just how I write.

I say if a person is needy and asks for help they would not turn down any offer they got. 99% of the time they ask for money to buy food, so it is natural that one would in turn offer food. For anyone to assume they are placing conditions on charity, that is an assumption as well.

Again, I do not think I am alone in that I never carry cash and could never offer it. But I could buy someone food if I so chose. Or are you saying people without cash should keep walking rather than offer to buy the item the person claims they want the cash to purchase?

What gives?

This is why i save my pesos and Canadian currency......it really throws them off.

I give what change I have at the moment...no questions asked...
if they want to drink then its their busines..no one asks me what I do why should I butt into their lives..?

All you can do is offer to help in whatever manner you are able to, but don't be offended if someone who is specifically seeking cash turns ya down on the offer to purchase the item.

Perhaps they don't truly need the cash for said item, but as evidenced by this thread, many people would not give them money for or buy them alcohol, cigarettes or drugs if that is what they needed and asked for. They're just trying to survive by whatever means is necessary for them, be it a pint of whiskey or a plate of food, whatever it is that will get them through another day. Many folks see it as contributing to their condition. I don't happen to believe that. Their condition is a societal problem and until society as whole addresses the situation, I'll do whatever I can to make life easier for them, no conditions.

That makes sense..... I gotcha now. I say if you are in need, what you say you need oughta be a need.....your view is much more abstract.

But again based on what I do for a living I have a bias. Admittedly.