Would it be wrong for me to? -

Ok, I really hate when people will beg on the side of the street for my hard earned money instead of getting a job. With all the services that are available there is no reason for them to do this. In Fargo, where I live, there are shelters so they will always have somewhere to sleep. There is Labor Ready where they can show up that morning and get work. They can use the shelter as an address. The Salvation army will feed anyone that is hungry. On to my point. Instead of giving them money I want to give them information to these places so they can get real help instead of begging. My boyfriend said that it would be rude for me to do this, but I think that would help them more then my money that I need. I am sure that I will get answers that say maybe they don t want help. Well, if you don t want help then do expect me to give you anything.|::::|You DO understand that, in fact, that IS their job, right? That they make more than you probably do, begging, and that they go HOME, to their APARTMENTS, and sleep in nice, warm beds. The shabby clothes and all that are just their uniform, just like a businessperson wears a suit to work, and a McDonald s employee wears a uniform. Check into it. They did a report on them years ago, in Denver, and found people to admit that even then, when money was worth about half what it is, today, they were taking in about $300/day! That means, if you throw a dollar at that shabby looking guy by the side of the road, he is probably bringing in about $600/day just sitting there with his hand out. For those who really USE the services and facilities you mention, THEY are often mentally/psychologically incapable of holding a real job. Forty years ago, they would have been in mental hospitals, but those hospitals have been scaled down, many closed, and the diagnoses have changed to the point that many of those people simply aren t cared for by the social services that used to care for such people.|::::|WE are in agreement! I once gave a guy my extra pizza after lunch...You should have seen the look on his face! I had hit an alcoholic, I think. He just wanted his MD 20/20. Report Abuse |::::|I understand why some people are hesitant to help people like this. But places like Labor Ready don t always have enough jobs for everyone. While the Salvation Army feeds them they don t help them find places to live all the time. When I give to someone like I look at it from the perspective of it could be me. I don t know the reason why they are homeless and on the street but when I have a car, home and food I m grateful. Not saying your not but have some empathy and thank God it s not you.|::::|I do that all the time. I just hand them information on a piece of paper. I never give out money but I will try to give them food if I have any available. Many times they will reject the food, that is when you know they don t really need the help. It is a sad situation because the people who are scamming people make it so those who really do need help don t receive it.|::::|I agree with your boyfriend that would be rude to do. If you don t agree with what they are doing then just don t give them any money.|::::|Sounds reasonable. When I was an old man, I would beg for money so that I could buy beer, though. This information will not get me any beer now will it?|::::|yes you should offer the information|::::|I agree with Jane S. and I agree with you