Where the money goes.

[Nwbie]

I give change once in awhile, I am usually not in the situation to be approached on the street.
But my wife has made a habit of giving old coats and hats and gloves to the homeless, there is a spot at I55 and Cicero ave. at the on ramp to head downtown and there are some regulars there that have lived under those bridges for years. She will clean out the closet of old coats and stuff and hand them out as they come to the car window begging. I had an old snowmobile suit that i wouldn't get into again if I cut myself in half that she gave to a guy - she said he smiled real big and has been wearing it ever since. You can give to individuals in different ways.
I had relatives back in the 70's that were homeless, the whole family - he never let anyone know until they managed to get back to semi-normal living. He lost his business, she got real ill, and the cards collapsed. Not all homeless people are addicts and drunks.

[eagl]

Well, the point was, I feel no need to give anything to the homeless.

That's because you're young.  No offense, but your attitudes and values will change over time.

Wait until you have a kid...  Your outlook on how people treat children may change dramatically the first time your mind wanders and you imagine what your kid's life would be like if you were not there to take care of him.  Or how your kid would feel if someone abused or intentionally injured him.

Then of course as your kid gets older, and you see how he lives, succeeds, and fails, you will see that same bum and wonder if years ago maybe he was some kid, like yours, who didn't get a chance or was abused/neglected/whatever.  And maybe you give the guy a few bucks because you can't change his childhood but maybe you can make him a little happier now.

Or not...  Some people don't ever get it.  But lots of people do, some instinctively and some through their experiences.

[eagl]

There is a big difference between being charitable to those in need, and willingly giving money to people who demand that you fork over some cash.  Many young people start off resisting both, but as their irritation at the extortionist tactics of second group grows, they often begin to give to the first group more willingly.

[mechanic]

I often give spare change to a homeless person if possible. I'd much rather give it to them than a charity that will take a percentage to pay staff.

Funny story infact from a few years ago. I was walking through town doing some christmas shoping and a homeless guy i walked by was playing a harmonica and singing a little song 'I wish some body...would gimme me a ten pound note...yeah' in classic blues tones.
 On impulse I stopped and handed him £10 seeing as I had over £100 to buy just a few presents for family. He didnt believe it, thought it might be a joke. I assured him it was not a joke and that I liked his song, and to try and have a merry christmas if he could.
 An hour later I walked past the same guy who was now singing a new version of his blues song 'I wish somebody...would gimme a fifty pound note....yeah'  
It actualy made my day.

[Denholm]

Wow, that's quite hilarious.

[DREDger]

Well, the point was, I feel no need to give anything to the homeless.

I see.

Out of curiosity, did you bring it up because you feel troubled by this?

[lagger86]

I was walking around outside slims after a NOFX show in SF and an older street person(homeless dude) asked if I could spare some change. I was A bit not sober and I chatted with him for a few minutes. I asked him how he got into the situation he was in, and he basically told me that he just gave up on everything and found freedom by having absolutely no responsibilities(his actual words were something like "you aints got to worry bout nuthin if there aint nuthin to worry bout brother"). I actually kind of envied him in a way. I reached in to my pocket and all I had was a $10 bill. I told him I would love to help him out, but I needed some smokes. He then pulled out a wad of cash and told me he could make change. I actually laughed because he had more money than I did.

I'll kick down some change if I have it.

[Serenity]

I see.

Out of curiosity, did you bring it up because you feel troubled by this?

No, it just surprised me. I find any excuse to walk away on the street, but seconds before making this post I had received an e-mail from the AOPA asking for donations, and without even thinking about it, I whipped out the plastic and tossed in $25.

[DREDger]

No, it just surprised me. I find any excuse to walk away on the street, but seconds before making this post I had received an e-mail from the AOPA asking for donations, and without even thinking about it, I whipped out the plastic and tossed in $25.

What is it that is suprising specifically?  

Do you consider yourself a normally empathetic person, and are surprised at your disregard of a person in need.  

Or is it surprising that you have preferences on how you donate your money, and feel it odd you would not first chose a charitable cause?

[Saurdaukar]

That's because you're young.  No offense, but your attitudes and values will change over time.

Interestingly enough, my own path was the reverse.

I can remember giving my allowance to the homeless as a child but I ignore them today.

[Shamus]

As John posted, I pretty much drop a fiver or so when I feel like it, don't care what they do with it, got over my control issues in my younger years.

shamus

[Serenity]

What is it that is suprising specifically?  

Do you consider yourself a normally empathetic person, and are surprised at your disregard of a person in need.  

Or is it surprising that you have preferences on how you donate your money, and feel it odd you would not first chose a charitable cause?

I guess the second one more closely matches it.

[Flench]

Well , if I had it to give I mite buy the dude a 40oz...