Helping the Homeless and those Hungry

[MR. BMJ]

Do you guys ever go out of your way to help others who are hungry or homeless? Share your experiences....


I have a few myself....

Whenever I go to Costco, I always buy some sort of food product to give out when driving home. After leaving Costco, but before getting on the freeway, there are always people at the stop light with homeless or hungry signs, so I give them food. I do this at least once per week.

Sometimes i'll drop in at a restaurant (usually a Mexican restaurant that sells carne asada tacos or such) when I am hungry myself, and i'll buy extra food to any of the bums sitting off to the side....if there is any....and of course, this depends on what side of town i'm on that day.

Last week, I drove to this small Mexican restaurant and when walking in, I was confronted by this ghetto ass brother, and I could tell he was real nervous upon speaking, though he could have been tweaking too....or most likely, a combo of both...lol. Anyway, I normally don't give away money outside of small change in most instances, but this guy approached me all nervous and trying to throw his ghetto talk as a way to cover his nervousness it was kind of funny, but he straight out said "Sir, I don't want money, but see, my girl and I have no money and are hungry, and I was wondering if you could help."

The dude could have been BS'ing me, but I told him no problem i'd bring him out some food. I looked back before entering the restaurant to see if I noticed any unnecesary faces being made....and I caught his girl looking at me, and I could tell she was embarassed as she turned around and put her head down. I bought them both a carne asada burrito and a few tacos and 2 sodas each. They both thanked me, and I was on my way.

I don't ever donate time to the homeless shelters as I work throughout the week and have other improtant issues to deal with, but I respect people who do find time to help those in need.

 

[Shovel]

No. It's self inflicted.

 

[Darkness]

99.9999% of the time these folks are just helplessly addicted alcoholics and drug addicts. That does not make them bad or any less of a person than me, but they certainly are sick people. So yes it is self-inflicted.

Usually giving these folks money harms them much more than it helps them. I know because I am one of them. Giving them something to eat or something like that probably is good just to show them that what they think of the world is all wrong. I have done alot in the last 9 years to help people like this, but it always involved giving them what they really needed, which was not material things.

The one exception is when I gave a recovering crack head an old truck so he could get a job. 3 days later he sold the truck for crack. LOL! So fuck him. He still needs a truck and nothings changed. I dont feel bad about it at all.

 

[John Benz]

If someone asks for food I never say no. I do not give away any money as I have seen too many getto folk sell food stamps to buy wine and panhandle to get just enough for some crack.

One day in the big city, I saw 3 guys begging for money. I offered to take them in and buy some food at Wendy's. 2 of them refused and said "No...just cash." The 3rd one said "thanks man...I'm starving!" I bought him a meal.

 

[A.B]

If someone asks for food I never say no. I do not give away any money as I have seen too many getto folk sell food stamps to buy wine and panhandle to get just enough for some crack.

One day in the big city, I saw 3 guys begging for money. I offered to take them in and buy some food at Wendy's. 2 of them refused and said "No...just cash." The 3rd one said "thanks man...I'm starving!" I bought him a meal.

Im the exact same way....

actually a couple months a go I was exitting the highway in the city, and a homeless guy was on the off ramp at the intersection with a sign that said 'food'? i gave him a protein bar, never give out cash

 

[Freezerdude]

No. It's self inflicted.

I'll remeber that the next time you need to bum a spare rock till payday! lol J/K couldn't resist!
For real if it looks like these people are panhandling or bullshitting me I won't help but if they truely look hungry I will go thru the drive thru and grab them and meal or something but I rarely give them money unless it's near Christmas and then I have a big heart and give away more than I should but it always comes back to me 10 fold! Most of the time we alway pick a elderly couple like my 90 y/o neighbor than I know have no money and buy them 100 gallon of heating oil or a large ham or something like that.. then we always pick 3 or 4 angels from the angel tree at the YMCA where we workout.. I haven't worked in 4 years but I'm a little more fortunate than most so I try to share in the wealth since I've been without and know how it feels but have always been lucky enough to make sure the kids have whatever they needed and that's all that's ever mattered to me..

 

[BikerTrash]

In my case it really depends who I give to , Yes as the others have said a Majority of time it is self inflicted however , I always donate all my kids clothes they grow out of them to the "Goodwill" or Christitan Charitys as I know the clothes go to needy familys and children who otherwise would not have nice clothes .
As far as Money I never ever "give" money but I typically will by them cheeseburgers or some sort of fast food when Im leaving from my walmart shopping trip and grab them up 5 for 5 at the McDonlds. I am a strong person but when I see a 1 legged man that looks scrawngy as hell holding a Vietnam Vet sign up saying will work for food ....I am gonna feed that man for those folks deserve it .
I know what it feels like to be hungry for days and end up eating in the soup line with my mom and sister back in the day with my mom embarrased as hell,,,NEVER EVER AGAIN.
My take is for the young hippy long haired farktards begging for change , nah I wont help them at all , But the Older Vets and folks that you and I both know would be hard for them to get a real job ,I will feed them and give them mt coat if need be .

 

[clutchitalian]

Thats cool u give to the homeless bro....I live in philly which means u cant even walk 5 feet without someone beggin for change,opening your door at taco bell,or trying to pump your gas...Like it was said before they are 99% dope addicts but i cant stand when they make up stories about how they are hungry or they just got out of jail and need to go to jersey to see their kids..I usually will give them some change unless they bullshit me..When someone comes up to me and straight says "Yo bro i'm really sick can u help me out?" i almost always do because at least they are honest about it....

 

[Guest]

I do when I can... I have not had the opportunity to demonstrate the kindness some of you guys have on here. I can do a better job of it that's for sure.

Whether it is self inflicted or not... I don't have the time to figure it out. I do know that I have seen a lot of different things in life happen and change people one way or another. So I don't think too much on it as I really don't know anyones story except my own.

I commend you bros with big hearts... that is huge. It takes a lot of sincerity to do those things.

 

[zeke]

Never kick a man (or woman) when he's down. I think it's good to give food, clothing, if you can afford too. I do agree money should never be given.

BUT!!! I can't help but wonder if giving them food will they turn out like the animals in parks they you aren't suppose to feed because they wont fend for themselves anymore. Just thoughts, but I know the christain thing to do is help

 

[Jumperz]

There is very few homeless in Australia.. Compared to the US anyways. I never have to and honestly never even get asked. But when I was in Italy with my auntie. Every morning she would give this one guy 50 euros. (yes she's extremely wealthy) over a year went buy and this guy eventually found a job and was slowly back on his feet. He thanked my Aunty for all she had given and offered to pay some back.. Less than two years later when I was walking with her she stopped and saw him. She haven't seen him in years. She went up to him and he had absolutely know idea who she was. He was drinking and heavily addicted again. She couldn't believe he couldn't remember the lady who got him back on his feet.. When she comes and visits she is constantly giving her money out to any homeless she can see. Total opposite to me. But then again she has more money than she knows what to do with!

 

[clutchitalian]

50 euro???? Damn!! we give the bums like 25-50 cents....

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

No. It's self inflicted.

You don't think someone can be an honest working family man and be a victim of circumstances via losing their job of many years and can't find work in this shitty economy? Yeah, I'm betting a high percentage of them are druggies/alcoholics who's situation is indeed self inflicted. But to blanket all of them with that reasoning is wrong. Hell, in '09 I lost my job of 23 years due to the slow economy and tried to find work for 1.5 years with NO fucking luck. If it weren't for me lucking out with an early pension, I would be fucked and might be out there myself.

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

99.9999% of the time these folks are just helplessly addicted alcoholics and drug addicts.

Yeah I'm also betting a high percentage are what you say, but 99.9999%?? What about the numerous victims of circumstances in this God awful economy the past 4-5 years, ie losing their job & too old for someone to hire, unemployment benefits ran out long ago and redtape is delaying any government benefits they may be entitled to while the kids at home are hungry?

 

[Cabo Jo]

You don't think someone can be an honest working family man and be a victim of circumstances via losing their job of many years and can't find work in this shitty economy? Yeah, I'm betting a high percentage of them are druggies/alcoholics who's situation is indeed self inflicted. But to blanket all of them with that reasoning is wrong. Hell, in '09 I lost my job of 23 years due to the slow economy and tried to find work for 1.5 years with NO fucking luck. If it weren't for me lucking out with an early pension, I would be fucked and might be out there myself.

that's what i was thinking.i'm about 2 pay checks away from the streets.

 

[Shovel]

You don't think someone can be an honest working family man and be a victim of circumstances via losing their job of many years and can't find work in this shitty economy? Yeah, I'm betting a high percentage of them are druggies/alcoholics who's situation is indeed self inflicted. But to blanket all of them with that reasoning is wrong. Hell, in '09 I lost my job of 23 years due to the slow economy and tried to find work for 1.5 years with NO fucking luck. If it weren't for me lucking out with an early pension, I would be fucked and might be out there myself.

I do think there are exceptions, but figuring that out is not what I'm gonna do. I choose not to help them out. I worked hard to get where I'm at and never asked for a hand out. Sorry if my halo is broke...

 

[2Rhodesians]

Growing up in NY I know that there are professional bums. They take the train into Penn or Grand Central station, change into their bum clothes, go out and beg for money, change back into non-bum clothes, then ride back to suburbia. One of the investigative TV shows (60 minutes, dateline, etc...) did a piece on this a while back and uncovered that these pro's often clear over $100K in CASH a year.
This combined with the typical aggressive style that most have causes me to ignore them entirely when in their presence. When Gulianni was NYC mayor, you couldn't find a homeless person anywhere in NYC... seriously.
I do give to the United Way every year, donate clothes, kids stuff that my kids outgrow, old appliances, etc... and also volunteer in a couple of local charities a year to help the legit unfortunate people out there. The others can lick my 'taint

 

[Dawgpound_Hank]

I do think there are exceptions, but figuring that out is not what I'm gonna do. I choose not to help them out. I worked hard to get where I'm at and never asked for a hand out. Sorry if my halo is broke...

LOL @ halo!

No dude, if someone chooses to give or not give wasn't my point. To each their own. I was responding to your "self-inflicted" statement. Yeah theres exceptions, as you agree. Now send me some f*cking $$$ for protein powder - I'll pay ya back on Tuesday.

 

[Shovel]

LOL @ halo!

No dude, if someone chooses to give or not give wasn't my point. To each their own. I was responding to your "self-inflicted" statement. Yeah theres exceptions, as you agree. Now send me some f*cking $$$ for protein powder - I'll pay ya back on Tuesday.

Lol!
I have this buddy I lift with and he's in trouble with the law and swears they're just out to get him. If he'd pass his piss test and go to classes it would've been over by now. He complains how they take all his check every week for court cost and hints around about needin cash. I give him a free pin of 500mg test every week though. Does that count.? Ha

 

[Darkness]

Bought a homeless cat a cheap bottle of wine once. I guess that makes me an enabler. He didn't lie to me though. I was walking through the mall. I was approached by said homeless man. He asked if I could spare some change to he could purchase some wine. I gave him enough to buy a cheap bottle. I remember it was the holidays; everyone deserves a little something of the holidays.

Of course there have been times where I'm feeling quite cruel and have said things that would likely be construed as less than humanitarian, but hey, I ain't no humanitarian.

I bought a guy that was shaking apart a 40oz once. He looked like he was going into DTs. It probably prolonged his life 24hrs. You can die from that shit.

 

[D]

I usually don't but I had a guy hold up a sign once that said "I don't want to work for food. I'm almost sober and need to get some beer".lmao I gave him money cause it was funny and he was honest.