badbobby Loc: texas

Have you ever been walking and encountered folks who are homeless? Have you ever crossed to the other side of the street, or redirected your gaze to avoid eye contact, and pretended they were not really there?

Come on now, be honest. I have, and I was not proud of myself when I did.

Another time, I was in downtown Humble , and I was walking out of a restaurant after a meal. I noticed a couple quietly sitting on the sidewalk, with a sign that said, “Homeless vet. No job. No food.”

So this time I decided to engage, not avoid. I asked if I could sit down and talk to them for a while. I also had a bag of takehomes and asked if they minded if I left the food. The man immediately gave the food to his wife.

As he began to talk, I just listened. He thanked me for the food and just for stopping. He went on to tell me how he had served in Iraq, came home, and worked construction. As the economy tightened, both he and his wife had lost their jobs, their home, and much of their dignity. This young man placed his life in harm’s way, for me, and for you. He thanked me repeatedly for the food, for stopping and listening to his story. I thanked him repeatedly for his service.

He did not need or deserve my pity, just my respect.

I try to no longer avoid the homeless, or pretend they don’t exist.

Noraa Loc: Kansas

I have never crossed the street or averted my eyes but I have to admit I ignore them. Hard to tell anymore if they are s**mming or they are really homeless.

badbobby Loc: texas

the s**mmers do make it hard to tell
there is one homeless man that frequents a corner that I have to stop at every day
he has a dog on a leash and a sign that says'please ,just enough to feed my dog' I do donate a dollar now and then(although I really believe it is a s**m)
I really love dogs

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

I think sometimes we ( by that I mean - me ), assume the worst without a shred of evidence; such as they're homeless because they're an addict/alcoholic, a convicted felon or just too lazy to hold down a job. I kept that bias for years, even while I myself was slobbering my way through acute alcoholism, until I saw a homeless man accost a would-be thief who was brandishing a gun and trying to rob an elderly couple. By the time I got there, the thief had run off...............and the homeless guy refused to take money from the couple, saying he was just doing his civic duty and didn't need to be rewarded.

I talked to the guy after the couple went on their way. It turns out the guy was a Veteran, was NOT an addict/alcoholic, NOT a convicted felon and NOT too lazy to hold down a job. He became homeless after trying to help his wife, who was also a Veteran and suffered from severe mental illness. His wife ran up huge credit card bills, messed up all their bills including mortgage payments and insurance, was arrested numerous times, which resulted in them going through their entire savings for legal fees. Finally, his wife was sent to prison, leaving him holding the (empty) bag. He lost his job because of bankruptcy, the IRS took everything else and no one would hire him because of his terrible credit score..............and thus............he became homeless. Needless to say, the VA was absolutely no help with his wife's problems.

I talked him into sharing a meal with me, put him in touch with the local American Legion and his county's Veteran Services Officer. His life is on the mend, not because of anything I did directly, but because of all the people who reached out to him once they knew someone needed help. All it took was taking the time to listen.

America 1 Loc: South Miami

May have been s**mmed many times, tough to resist some that appear truly in need.

Carol Kelly

Exactly right. In Baton Rouge, they’re driven to their spot to spend the day begging and picked up at night. Not many are veterans in need of help. It’s good that he sat down and talked with them, giving them food, not money. Never see homeless where I live or maybe I just don’t go into the right areas. We have a Food Kitchen where they can find help. I support that.

badbobby Loc: texas

you're a good guy doc
I don't care what Slat said about you

Michael Rich Loc: Lapine Oregon

I enjoy giving to homeless, at our local Shell/McDonald's there is a new lady, her sign reads "2°° dollars or more" so I gave her only 2, if she had a different approach, it would have been 5°°

bilordinary Loc: SW Washington

Reminds me of a Latino looking fellow with a sign.
This was at a I205 exit in Portland.
I believe he had some gringo help with his sign.
It read;

Evil ninjas kidnapped mom
Need money for Kung Fu lessons

Should have had my camera!

About 20 years ago--
At a picnic table under the I405 bypass I shared a smoke with a homeless fellow.
Talked quite a while with him, he had been a VP in some company.
I asked what had happened to him, he looked down and said "Too many power lunches"
I asked how he fed his alcohol habit, he said he always found a way.
He noticed my motorcycle parked in front of my daughters appt., I noticed a gleam in his eye
as he talked about a Sportster he had owned.
At one point he asked if I was hungry, he had a can of beans!
A nice fellow that has stuck in my memory.

karpenter Loc: Headin' Fer Da Hills !!

Never Give Money To A Panhandler
Panhandling Is Their Day Job
Don't Let The Back-Packs And The Dog Fool Ya, Either

tommsteyer

Have them show you their GR card and or benefits letter. Real homeless don't want to ask. Just being talked to like a normal person is a gift.
I used to get a fiver from every paycheck and play it to one of the dozens h*****g around downtown l.a.

one night around midnite I actually tucked it into the blanket this guy had tied around himself to sleep in this doorway .
l.a. has lots of s**mmers. The real homeless are suffering so much that a $5 gift card provides an entire day of dignity. Of not being asked to leave Or move on when the temp is 90 plus and the library or soc sec office isn't open yet.
MacDonalds dollar breakfast means 2 sandwiches for breakfast. Something a dollar for lunch maybe a salad or parfait. And two chicken burgers for dinner.
That's being spoiled for a homeless person. To know in advance that you have 15 hours ahead of you not worrying about food, forgetting finding money from nowhere.
or spending food money to take the bus to the _(full) shelter. or to stand in line for no mail and a worker who HSS the day off.

Big dog

👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

Wonttakeitanymore

I have a guy some money one time and then I said God bless you and he said he just did! We both laughed! It was quick and quite appropriate!

Wonttakeitanymore

My son went to a party one night in San Diego! Was tipsy and decided to walk home. Met a homeless lady and gave her 20.00. Then walked around with her all night just talking! Good kid! Scared me though! God watching over both!

bahmer

Very good there badbobby thanks for posting this it is needed.