Comments on: The panhandler dilemma http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/ Scott Wells on the practice of Christian faith Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:26:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Mystical Seeker http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/#comment-37319 Mystical Seeker Tue, 01 May 2007 00:15:26 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/#comment-37319 I think the comment about not being a dope is both humorous and valid. I think it is complicated and difficult to say no to people who seem to be in need and ask you for money, but I don't do it, for the reasons you've cited. I do recall once leaving a fast food restaurant and was about to throw away the remaining fries and soda into the trash as I walked out, when a homeless person came in and asked me if she could eat what was left on my tray. In that case, I gladly obliged, though what was left on my tray was a pittance. The SF Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll does this annual "Untied Way" campaign where he advocates just handing out lots of cash to homeless people and not worrying about what the recipients do with the money. I just don't agree that this makes any sense. I think the comment about not being a dope is both humorous and valid. I think it is complicated and difficult to say no to people who seem to be in need and ask you for money, but I don’t do it, for the reasons you’ve cited. I do recall once leaving a fast food restaurant and was about to throw away the remaining fries and soda into the trash as I walked out, when a homeless person came in and asked me if she could eat what was left on my tray. In that case, I gladly obliged, though what was left on my tray was a pittance.

The SF Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll does this annual “Untied Way” campaign where he advocates just handing out lots of cash to homeless people and not worrying about what the recipients do with the money. I just don’t agree that this makes any sense.

]]> By: james http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/#comment-37026 james Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:02:11 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/#comment-37026 While I agree with you, the complicating factor is, of course, mental illness, how it affects the homeless, and how it might discourage/prevent them from taking advantage of the services available. Good post though. While I agree with you, the complicating factor is, of course, mental illness, how it affects the homeless, and how it might discourage/prevent them from taking advantage of the services available.
Good post though.

]]> By: Bill Baar http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/#comment-36904 Bill Baar Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:31:56 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-panhandler-dilemma/#comment-36904 Back in the 1980s the city of Madison Wis would have signs posted to please not donate to the panhandlers as the city offered plenty of shelter, food, and clothing for them. Back in the 1980s the city of Madison Wis would have signs posted to please not donate to the panhandlers as the city offered plenty of shelter, food, and clothing for them.

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