Jackson Free Press

My driving routine involves the same streets just about everyday. One day I was approaching the traffic light on Adkins Boulevard preparing to cross over to Beasley Road when I noticed a small man who appeared to be homeless sitting in the grass alongside the street. The light turned red as the man stood and waited for the cars to stop.

He tried his luck with the car in front of me and after failing, he made his way to my car. At first I was kind of nervous because I was alone and you can never be too trusting of people these days. He boldly walked to my window and stared at me. I was kind of surprised that he would be so bold, but he placed his hands in a prayer position silently begging me to give him some money.

I reached into my handbag and pulled out two one dollar bills and handed them to him through a half-cracked window. He thanked me and told me that I was the only person to give him anything all day. That made me smile. I felt all tingly inside and proud of myself for having performed at least one good deed for the day.

I saw the same man for the next three days in the same spot. Once he was walking up and down the Frontage Road; then I saw him sitting in the grass as a police officer wrote him a citation … or at least that's what it looked like. The next time I saw him, he was giving those praying hands to some other driver who did the same thing I did - hand him a couple of dollars through the window. I even saw him today before I came into the office doing his normal routine.

I would like to help this man everyday, but realistically I can't and I probably won't. I don't make enough money to support myself, let alone someone else. But I am a bit of a sucker for sad faces and it hurts me to see another person having to beg on the street for food (or money). So that raises the question: How often should you give? Do you give repeatedly to someone who seems well taken care of and completely able to work? Or do you turn your head like so many of the other drivers?

Previous Comments

ID

149604

Comment

The very first job I had after I moved to Denver was working in a convenience store in a busy intersection. There was a couple that used that corner for their "will work for food" begging enterprise. It was winter in Colorado at the time so they would make their way over to the store I worked at for coffee and just a break from the cold from time to time, so I got to know them a little. The first time they came in I was a little apprehensive that they would beg for coffee and other stuff that I didn't have any right to give away or money I surely didn't have at the time. But they didn't, the fellow made his coffee and brought it to the counter and pulled a large roll of bills from his pocket to pay for the beverage and the scratch off lottery tickets he asked for. I was shocked. The business of begging at that corner was obviously going very well. I had a good view of them from my vantage in the cashier's booth in the store. As I toiled away for my barely over minimum wage wages I watched that couple take in money and groceries all day almost everyday for doing nothing more than asking people for it. They were still there when I moved on to a better job so I don't know what happened to them, but I kinda think they are probably ok. So... I don't usually give money to the people who ask me for it in those situations. That kind of charity doesn't help those people, it only enables them to continue doing nothing and getting paid for it. Your dollars, and mine, would be better spent at a charity that helps those people become productive citizens.

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-07-14T07:56:10-06:00

ID

149607

Comment

I think it was WLBT that once did a little investigating about some guys who occupied the Terry Rd/HWY 80 intersection (or Gallatin, I forget) ages ago. Seems every time they'd get enough money for beer, they'd be at the near by Stop&Rob for another one. They quit after the tape hit the air.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-07-14T08:37:28-06:00

ID

149608

Comment

WMartin, I had a somewhat similar experience. While I was living in Lexington, KY, I worked the morning shift at the Rite Aid downtown. There was one lady who everyone called Crazy Mary. She would walk up and down Main Street asking for money. Then she would come in to the Rite Aid and buy a 40oz. So I won't do it either.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2009-07-14T08:45:41-06:00

ID

149609

Comment

I also had a similar experience, WMartin. That doesn't mean that aren't some who genuinely need help, but like you I'm suspicious of most panhandlers. I contribute enough to my church outreach fund and yearly to local and national charities that I don't feel the need to give a dollar to someone on the street whose motives might be suspect (unless they catch me in a REALLY good mood).

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-07-14T08:52:17-06:00

ID

149613

Comment

I agree Jeff Lucas, most do genuinely need help. Help, though, isn't enabling them to continue their destructive behavior. In my opinion anyway. That's not to say I never give them anything, the one's with children break my heart. So, I will typically go and buy some food and give that to them. I just don't trust that they will spend cash on anything but alcohol or drugs.

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-07-14T10:30:26-06:00