Homeless people are just being lazy

cessnawag · #1 Aug 1, '12, 4:52 pm

I give money to homeless people and donate shampoo and other personal items. But what is a good reply when someone says I'm "just enabling them to be lazy"?

Bill Martin · #2 Aug 1, '12, 4:57 pm

It's true in many cases. Depending on the amount of donations they are given, it could enble them to be lazy.

Giving them shampoo and other products, or a sandwich now and then is not enough to do it though. I still try to point them towards local businesses that have "Now hiring" signs too because a job will help them far more than charity will.

debbie312 · #3 Aug 1, '12, 6:06 pm

homeless people arent lazy they need help,alot of people think this way i do not know why.didnt Jesus say whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do unto me?next time someone says that to you say something like,Because that could be me there on the street,or if it wasnt for the grace of God i could be that person needing help.Or Say im just sharing some of the things God has given me.God Bless You For Helping them Please Keep doing that I bet God Smile at you when you do.God Bless You.

grasscutter · #4 Aug 1, '12, 6:09 pm

Since we can't know their exact circumstances and what lead them to be in the position that they are in, when we give out of love we are giving to Jesus, Himself. We don't actually need to concern ourselves with whether they are "deserving" or not.

And, pointing out a help wanted sign is so unkind that I lack words to express myself. All I can say is that I'm a skilled worker who is lucky enough to have consistent access to medical/dental care, can write a good cover letter and resume and presents well in a job interview. One doesn't just go get a job... maybe take a look around a bit more...

Seeker1961 · #5 Aug 1, '12, 6:10 pm

My response is that my faith teaches me to give freely without conditions. What the recipient does with that gift is between them and God.

slotty · #6 Aug 1, '12, 6:20 pm

A large number of homeless persons have mental health issues. They unfortunately slip through the cracks of health care systems around the globe and instead of being cared for are stigmatized by mis-informed individuals who make assumptions.

My response would be.

"Have you ever stopped and spoken to a homeless person and asked them if they want to be in this situation and is there anything I can do to help?"

john78 · #7 Aug 1, '12, 6:21 pm

I cant agree with homeless people being lazy, i mean come on, these people start off just like you and me, and infact some start off better in life, then lose it all.

and then take into consideration how hard it is to get an education, or get hired by a good paying company in any industry if you are homeless.

how many companies are out there advertising they are willing to start employing the homeless, just pass a background check, drug test and we will put you to work right away.

I guess at the very least one could round up the homeless and tell them they are now employed at farms all across america, with a locked in wage of minimum wage.

they can then use that job to advance or stay where they are at,

or is that going to be considered slave labor,

but to think homeless people are lazy is nonsense, some have mental problems, heck the reasons vary to no end.

but at least there is the opprotunity to make their lives better.

Crowbar · #8 Aug 1, '12, 6:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker1961

My response is that my faith teaches me to give freely without conditions. What the recipient does with that gift is between them and God.

Well said Seeker.

Additionally, some cities, such as Memphis, have signs that state not to give to panhandlers. They direct donations to local food pantries.

grasscutter · #9 Aug 1, '12, 6:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbar

Well said Seeker.

Additionally, some cities, such as Memphis, have signs that state not to give to panhandlers. They direct donations to local food pantries.

And, sometimes, people need cash. Not a sandwich or whatever some "well-meaning" person has decided that they deserve. Wouldn't want them spending the money on something inappropriate, after all. But, consider this, (and please pardon my indelicacy) a homeless woman might actually need cash to purchase something for her menstrual cycle. Somehow, a sandwich probably won't work...

Bill Martin · #10 Aug 1, '12, 6:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasscutter

Since we can't know their exact circumstances and what lead them to be in the position that they are in, when we give out of love we are giving to Jesus, Himself. We don't actually need to concern ourselves with whether they are "deserving" or not.

And, pointing out a help wanted sign is so unkind that I lack words to express myself. All I can say is that I'm a skilled worker who is lucky enough to have consistent access to medical/dental care, can write a good cover letter and resume and presents well in a job interview. One doesn't just go get a job... maybe take a look around a bit more...

Last time I saw a guy asking for money I gave him a $10 and told him about a Dunkin Donuts that I knew was hiring. I saw him working there next time I was in the area. A job is more valuable than handouts. Why not give them a hand if possible?

Delaine75 · #11 Aug 1, '12, 6:50 pm

I'd ask them who are they to judge when they don't know the circumstances? I have a friend who's been homeless and literally living out of his van for the past two years. He's not homeless because he's lazy. Whenever someone makes a comment like that, it just seems so arrogant to me.

I have a soft spot for the homeless and maybe that's why.

Student09 · #12 Aug 1, '12, 7:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Martin

Last time I saw a guy asking for money I gave him a $10 and told him about a Dunkin Donuts that I knew was hiring. I saw him working there next time I was in the area. A job is more valuable than handouts. Why not give them a hand if possible?

Nothing wrong with that at all. Your last comment left one free to imagine that rather than give money you had said, "Why don't you just go get a job at that business?" which I imagine is what grasscutter was reacting to. Many homeless people want a job but can't find one or don't know how to get one or for various reasons have difficulty keeping one.

grasscutter · #13 Aug 1, '12, 7:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Student09

Nothing wrong with that at all. Your last comment left one free to imagine that rather than give money you had said, "Why don't you just go get a job at that business?" which I imagine is what grasscutter was reacting to. Many homeless people want a job but can't find one or don't know how to get one or for various reasons have difficulty keeping one.

Thank you! Sometimes, in writing I don't express myself the way I want. There is no facial expression, body language, tone of voice, etc. The thing is, I recently relocated and even though I have a lot to offer to an employer the competition for relatively low level jobs was fierce. So I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones and I will not judge someone who hasn't had my opportunities.

But I do also want to allow a person begging for money some dignity. Instead of deciding what they need and giving it (sandwich, cup of coffee, information about a company hiring) I would prefer to give whatever cash I can afford so that they (as fellow human beings) can make that decision for themselves.

Zosimus41 · #14 Aug 1, '12, 7:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cessnawag

I give money to homeless people and donate shampoo and other personal items. But what is a good reply when someone says I'm "just enabling them to be lazy"?

I work for a Christian based charity clinic and when I see some people with hundred dollar bills in their wallets,expensive suvs,LV purses and wallets, etc...It makes me wonder about some of them.

Given the benifit of doubt the money could be for mortgage, the fancy car maybe someone elses and the jewelry and expesive wallets may have been a gift.

Still I wonder.

TheDoors · #15 Aug 1, '12, 7:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Martin

Last time I saw a guy asking for money I gave him a $10 and told him about a Dunkin Donuts that I knew was hiring. I saw him working there next time I was in the area. A job is more valuable than handouts. Why not give them a hand if possible?

I have a dream of starting a work farm some day. Give a place for all those guys with "Will work for food" to go, get cleaned up, perhaps some job training and a chance to get on their feet while doing good, soul-cleansing work.