Helping those in need -vs- professional homeless
 

Helping those in need -vs- professional homeless


I do not mind helping some one.

But I do not like the Professional homeless that have made a career in panhandling.

Here in Amarillo they stand and live under many over passes holding their signs.

When the ones here panhandle I point right accross the street to the day labour place and say "THere is money for you right over there."

I generally get cussed out after that. Luckily my town is small enough to discern the needy from the pro's. The ones in need I offer to buy a meal.

I NEVER hand out cash.

Dallas has started a new thing this week actually.. they have boxes in bus stops and hotels and so on... called give a hand boxes... they are controlled by those businesses from what I understand but they are so that others needing a place to stay etc. Can be sent there and given help yet they arent out on the streetcorners... Coop I have been to Amarillo... actually spent a lot of time there and you just think its bad there!!! Come to Dallas for a weekend LOL

Jeff never gives out cash, either. If someone needs food, we will buy them a meal or a bag of groceries. If they need gas, we'll fill up the tank. If they need a job, Jeff will recommend an employment agency. If they need shelter, there are several missions in town that will provide it. But cash? NEVER!!!!!!

Those who have real needs are alright with that arrangement. Those who are "professionals" will dislike it, and some will even get angry if you don't give them money. And thus they rule themselves out as truly "needy."

Interesting story about a guy who writes a column here in Boston... (not in church, so you'll understand - he was making a point that someone who was being more Christian about it probably wouldn't make) Who worked near an area with many "homeless" panhandlers... He worked out an arrangement with a nearby convenience store to get $5 and $10 coupons/gift certificates. And the stipulation was that the $10 coupons excluded alcohol and liquor products for purchase, while the $5 coupon would allow them to by those items, as well.

He said in the year or so that he did this, he never, ever had anyone take the $10 coupon. Quite telling, huh?

Unfortunately, many of the professional handlers ARE NEEDY...but not receptive to having their true needs met. They are so mentally disturbed that they self-medicate with drugs and alcohol...and they really need true healing of the mind. If they are unwilling to take the steps to remedy that, unfortunately, it's hard to find the right course of action to reach out to them.

I have no idea if this is right thing to do but I always wondered if it works.

You give a homeless person a slip of paper and the paper would say, "IOU". Under that I would write the address of our Church. Make it a clear invitation to know Jesus. I would use it as a witness tool and tell them that there is more where that comes from.

What do you all think?

Truth be told, Elfin, you're right...almost all of them are NEEDY. However, generally, if a person is hungry, they will eat what is offered to them. If they refuse, then I would assume they are not (all that) hungry. (Similar conclusions for other circumstances.)

Oh that does sound like a good idea but.... and this is just from personal experience! We have a major hwy intersection right by the church I grew up in... was sitting in church one night and a man came in... we recognized him as homeless... he had a church business card w him that said something very similar.. he came back the next day and said.... This said I could get the help I needed here??? He wanted money money money and he thought that since he came to church we were going to just hand him all the money we could... we gave him 2 bags of groceries from our food pantry... had a huge room full of showers let him take a shower and even gave him a room for the night and that was it... He was very NOT happy!!!! He didnt even stay the entire night... left with his vodka bottle on the bedside table and the room smelt so bad of liquor it was unreal!!!

Well, my pastor asked me the other day if I ever grew tired of helping and then people stabbing me...guess not...still continue to help but the next ones that show up I am giving them some work to do instead of bed and breakfast sometimes for years at a time...

I have found out the hard way giving is not always what people need they need responsibility. Just feeding people, paying their light bill, water bill only in the end makes them think you OWE them something...few ever say thank you...

and no I am not bitter just wiser in my old age...