I feel such intense guilt and sadness when walking past people begging for money on the streets. Like I should be giving it to them and doing more but idek where to start

likefunny
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I used to bake cookies during the holidays and gift to homeless… Then one day someone b*tched at me for not giving them 💰💵. I havnt baked for non-family ever since.

likesmart

Speaking as someone who grew up on welfare, the more removed we are from poverty the more we tend to create stories about what happened for people to wind up going through such hardship. The systems we have aren’t great for catching people. And hard work helps but it isn’t a curative. That said, two things:

First:

Cash helps. Give out fives and tens if you can. Also just making eye contact and recognizing people’s humanity is important.

Second:

The sadness you feel can be fuel. Think in systems and root causes. This is why I support universal basic income.

In America people tend to be highly racially and economically segregated which can lead to a lot of pocket judgments about everything including the poor. Take my word for it or read a book like A People's History of Poverty.

Your emotions are not steering you wrong. This is a problem. Decide what you’re willing to do and take action. This world can be brutal but we can make impactful change by taking thoughtful action.

likeupliftinghelpful
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Go volunteer at a soup kitchen or something similar. No need to give change or money to everyone you see begging, which is generally just for drugs.

likesmart

As someone who’s clients are addicts in the criminal justice system, I can tell you that that is not how they are getting money. I know a lot of people think so, but that would take all day for a relatively small return. When addiction calls, you answer. NOW. Not after you’ve begged for change on the street all day.

likesmart

I gave a homeless person some coins in my car and they threw it at my car. Never again.

likefunny

Right. I gave a guy some money and he pretended to be crippled. Saw him walking over to his luxury car with no assistance later that night. Everyone around town found out it was a scam.

Give money to food banks, homeless shelters and other charities that directly help people. They will utilize your money in the ways that help them in the best ways. I never give money directly to people. I have given people food and water.

likesmart

You can't change the world or end homelessness as one person so don't look at it with that goal. But you can change the day for a few individuals with some of the money out of your pocket. Keep some 5's or 10's on you (or whatever you're willing to give away). Working at a soup kitchen might help you feel better but won't actually make a difference unless that specific kitchen can't function without one more volunteer. Charities are a nice idea but funds aren't always used the way you think. At least when you give your money directly to that person you know they received it. Can't guarantee that with a charity. However if you're worried about them using your money for drugs you can always offer to buy food or supplies for them directly and then just give them the stuff rather than money.

likesmart

OP, you want to make a REAL difference - donate to a homeless pet shelter and/or adopt a pet who's in need of a good home. Then you'll know that your money will literally go towards saving lives.
...As opposed to enriching local "pharmacists" and drug dealers.

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It is rewarding to see a homeless persons reaction when you give them a $5 bill.
NEVER assume they’re going to use it on drugs/alcohol. It will ruin the warm fuzzies every time. Further, most addicts are not peddling on the streets for change. That isn’t an efficient, fast or effective way to get money - hence the criminality piece of those with SUDs.

As far as your intense guilt and sadness, you’ll have to find a way to detach from that. Which could look like paying it forward, giving back to the community, or donating money to a homeless shelter.

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Don’t. They spend it on drugs and alcohol within 5 minutes.

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So? Them wanting to get alcohol is no different then me having a hard day at work and wanting a tall glass of wine when I get home. Except They have hard days every days. You’re vastly underestimating how quickly a lot of us would turn to drugs and alcohol to get by if we were homeless. Stop judging

All that leftover food you’re not going to eat can be put into a ziploc bag and given out. Just get some plastic forks.

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I donate to charities that are local/volunteer missions here instead of providing direct money to those begging. I understand your empathy for them but oftentimes they’ll squander it to other needs such as drugs abuse and it’s not going to help them.

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Hoofff… you all are so cynical! I love how people who never spent one day in their lives on the street talk about how they know everything about living on the street. Glass houses ehhh!!

smart

Learn skills and run for office someday

uplifting

To the people giving out five bucks because it feels good.. you are literally admitting that you do it for yourself. Start thinking about the addictions and lifestyles you are supporting. If you really wanted to help, give away some real money to a shelter or spend your time volunteering instead of buying cheap “warm fuzzies”

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Sometimes I take out extra cash at the grocery store for “charity”. Like $20 worth of fives. Then I feel more willing and able to give someone five bucks at the freeway stop or whatever. Helps me feel good too.

Think about that great high they're going to get with that 5er.

upliftinglike

He who stealeth from the poor lendeth to god. Thus Spake Zarathustra

Good points you guys! I get what you're saying about the drug part too, but idk I just feel like i’d rather give something than nothing y’know, something to keep their livelihood alive :/ it's just so confusing still

Go to McDonald’s and buy gift cards and hand those out instead. This is what my mom does.

like

Give them everything you have you will feel great.

I know how to fix this problem, go to gofund and find specific causes to donate. Donate to people directly, not associations.

Give them money and don’t think about it too much.

I never understood why people obsess with not giving money.

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