Giving to PanHandlers

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Seeler

Seeler

Well-Known Member
I've been volunteering at my church for the past year, welcoming those who come to our door looking for help - a hand-out or a hand-up. Some just need a little help over a rough stop - others are regulars who, for one reason or another - often related to health, will never be self-supporting. My job is to make them feel welcome, be a hostess, provide coffee and snacks, talk to them, be a friend. I've come to know some of them; I've heard their stories.

Recently, I was leaving after Sunday service. Just outside the door, just ahead of me I saw a panhandler approach a couple. They brushed past him as though he didn't exist. I recognized him as one of our regulars.

Now I've heard arguments against giving to panhandlers, and I didn't have any change ready - but how could I welcome this man on Wednesday mornings, and ignore him on Sunday morning? I dug into my purse and pulled out a couple of quarters - not much - but I dropped it into his hat, looked him in the face and told him "Good morning." He looked at me, recognized me, and reached out his arms. We hugged. I have a feeling that being recognized and spoken to was more important to him than my spare change. I wonder how he would have reacted if I had simply stopped to talk. I couldn't remember his name - I wish that I'd been able to call him by name.
 
It was made illegal in Calgary to do so. Not sure where else such laws existed, or if it has been changed in Calgary. My Dad used to fill the film canisters with change and gave them to the few regulars he would pass on his commute, but that was a while ago, before the issues came up that resulted in the law.
 
I sometimes give to panhandlers [though I don't use that term]. I never give - however - in places [ for example - the subway] where I know that it's wrong for them to be asking for handouts.
 
Seeler said:
What is the correct term for people who panhandle for a living, or occasionally when their money runs out before the end of the month?
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There isn't a term that would cover both. For the former, I think panhandler is pretty PC. You could go a step further and say person who panhandles, as you already did.
 
ChemGal said:
It was made illegal in Calgary to do so. Not sure where else such laws existed, or if it has been changed in Calgary.
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my reaction to it being made illegal reminds me of those times, oh so not long ago, where it was illegal to be poor...

it reminds me of thatcherism

it makes me think of laws being made as a lazy way of protecting people from their feelings

it also makes me think of states not wanting homeless & alms askers because they can't collect taxes from them?

it reminds me of the change in Skytrain policy where they have made laws against GIVING YOUR TRAIN TICKET AWAY. now that's trying to make compassion illegal
 
This happened years ago when my kids were little.
We parked down town and CrazyDad went to do something.
In those days you could sit and watch the people going by with open windows to get some air.
Out the corner of my eye, I saw a street person heading toward us with his hand outstretched. Oh! Oh !Begging
. He came to the window and offered my kids each a nickel for a treat." nice children. make sure you look after them, Buy a treat."
and he walked away waving at the kids. Changed my attitude about Street Folk.
 
I'm sure there aren't many kids out there saying, "When I grow up I want to beg for a living." There might be a few who don't see any better future.
 
I don't normally give change to people who ask. When I worked downtown I used to give gift certificates to fast food places. I did this a few weeks ago and the person seemed very unimpressed. I was telling my husband and he pointed out that who am I to tell how to spend their money...and that made me question what I was doing. Then I thought that there are plenty of places for them to get free food, maybe I should switch to Shopper's gift cards or maybe I should stop questioning their motives and just give cash (although I rarely have cash). I really don't know what the answer is.
 
This thread reminds me of this sermon I watched the other day. It's worth watching - the first minute and then again the story he tells from about 6:58 :

 
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Justme said:
I don't normally give change to people who ask. When I worked downtown I used to give gift certificates to fast food places. I did this a few weeks ago and the person seemed very unimpressed. I was telling my husband and he pointed out that who am I to tell how to spend their money...and that made me question what I was doing. Then I thought that there are plenty of places for them to get free food, maybe I should switch to Shopper's gift cards or maybe I should stop questioning their motives and just give cash (although I rarely have cash). I really don't know what the answer is.
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I would point out to your husband that giving gift certificates is not me telling the recipient how to spend their money, it's me deciding how to spend my money.
 
Yesterday I stopped off at Timmy's on my way home and I was reading over this thread - so it was on my mind I guess. After, I walked past a couple sitting on the sidewalk, I assume they were between 30-40ish, it was hard to tell. The woman was drawing on a pad of paper and the man was chatting with her. They had a dog. They had a hat or something out for change. I decided to give them some change. They didn't ask, I offered. They were so appreciative. "They said God bless you." Then I walked past a man in front of the grocery store and he looked like he'd been outside on the street for a long time. I gave him some change. Then I walked past a man I've seen before. I gave him a muffin from Tim's once. We made eye contact and I told him, I'm sorry, I gave all my change to other people back there tonight. And he said, bright and friendly, "That's okay dear, as long as you helped out somebody!" Then afterwards, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to get on the bus...but I could walk it, but it was about 5 more blocks home and I was feeling very tired. So, I decided once I got to the bus stop to ask the driver if he could just take me as far as my stop at ___street. And he nodded, "Sure." It all came full circle.

But tonight I got a ride home. Usually, walking home, I pass several street people. I help as I feel in the moment. Sometimes I don't have any change to give.
 
Kimmio, I think that the important thing was that you spoke to the man even though you didn't have anything to give him. You recognized his humanity. I have heard that the worse thing you can do to another person is pretend they aren't there. Many people would rather be sworn at than ignored. Of course they would rather have a kind word. And a bit of change. But I think many would prefer a smile and a few words to a bit of change grudgingly given.
 
Some of the homeless here in Toronto sell a newspaper on street corners that's dedicated to urban issues. This is quite respectable - because it means they're working to earn money - not just begging for it. I applaud their efforts - and have purchased and enjoyed reading the paper.
 
Pr. Jae said:
Some of the homeless here in Toronto sell a newspaper on street corners that's dedicated to urban issues. This is quite respectable - because it means they're working to earn money - not just begging for it. I applaud their efforts - and have purchased and enjoyed reading the paper.
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Here, they also contribute to the articles. They're not just working for money but doing something meaningful.

At Christmas time they also sell calendars for a legal advocacy non-profit. They feature in the photos, and I think also take some of the photos. They get to keep half the money from each one sold
 
Many of the occasional panhandlers here have jobs - but they are often part time and/or temporary and do not pay enough for the person to live on. One man who I've come to know quite well, occasionally plays his guitar and sings on a busy pedestrian corner - he has his guitar case open in front of him. He doesn't consider himself a panhandler, but an entertainer. His lungs are bad, he is not strong enough to work at a regular full time job.
 
Kimmio said:
Here, they also contribute to the articles. They're not just working for money but doing something meaningful.

At Christmas time they also sell calendars for a legal advocacy non-profit. They feature in the photos, and I think also take some of the photos. They get to keep half the money from each one sold
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Now that I think of it Cousin - some of the TO paper sellers do also write. :)
 
I have had thousands of encounters with person in the street seeking some sign of care from the passing stream of pedestrians. Stopping to chat is a regular part of my walking about in the streets of what ever city I happen to be living in.

I wonder how many persons are aware that much of what Jesus accomplished took place as chance meetings in public places. The blind beggar by the gate is a good example. The multitude on their way to worship simply passed the need by. Jesus stopped to address the need.
 
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