What are your actions on contact with a person claiming they are homeless and hungry?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig, you did what I would have done.

Sergeant Major,
I would ignore him. Easy to do and I had an experience with my father dealing with someone who was "homeless, hungry and will work for food". My dad saw this man with a "work for food" sign; he decided to pick him up and take him to the house. Dad gave him water the had him move a pile of old tires from one corner of a shed to another. He had me keep an eye on him while dad went to fix him a sandwich. This man ask me for $5 dollars. I took him finish the job. Then he told me he was not going to take this shit. I told him to leave! When dad came back with the sandwich he asked me where was that man; a told him the situation. Dad jumped my but for not keeping him in place. In return I told my dad, he did not take anything, he did not get $5 (I had $15 in my pocket), and asked dad; "Did you really thing that guy was going to stay and finish that shit?" We had a good laugh, I moved the tires, and I got the $5 dad was going to give him. Karma!

The teens at our church routinely make 'mana bags' with basics such as soap, toothpaste, a pair of socks, energy bar; baby wipes, energy drink, razors, etc and sell them for $5 as a fundraiser. We keep several in the car and will offer them to panhandlers on corners at lights, etc. They have always been accepted which makes me think the people were probably honest to a degree.

Hi, CSM Uhlig.

I’ve seen the “homeless and hungry” signs a lot, and I realize that people will sometimes use that as a crutch to get money instead of food. I’ve never seen a sign for “homeless and sober” or “homeless and need a hit.” But I try to take a higher path and assume that if I give them a few dollars they will really use it to eat. I imagine a lot didn’t do that, that drugs or booze will hold off whatever pains they have: cold, hunger, or bad health. Am I enabling their habit? Maybe, but it’s not up to me to judge. At that moment, there is someone standing in front of me in pain.

My wife and I would pass the same intersection daily on the way to see family in the hospital a few years ago. There was always someone there looking for food or money. We started making lunch bags for them; something that didn’t spoil or need a can opener to get into. They never turned it down, and were always very appreciative. One guy dropped his sign right there in the median, sat down, and started eating.

But if he’s going to panhandle for whatever reason, he could at least try to be appreciative.

That homeless/ hungry person sounds suspicious.

I would have done the same thing as you did. I once had my wife and our two sons who were just 12 and 10 years old at that time. A guy holding a sign in the middle of the road saying he was hungry and his family was hungry too! I asked him if he was a veteran and he answered yes. So I asked him what branch of service and when did he served. He didn't want to answer so I looked at him and said you are a disgrace to men period. Go take a f..cling hike. My wife and sons were shocked that I said that. After the fact I just got back from Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 1st MarDiv HQ CO., HQBN. Go figure!

15 years ago, I drove by someone all the time... said homeless... bought them a meal from McDonalds on way home from work... person threw bag in ground and stompedon It... I was an A1C. To this day I question and monitor them... now and then I will hand someone I am sure of a bottle of water and whatever I may have in hand food wise... never money

Honestly, it upsets me because I'm seeing more and more panhandlers in my town. My heart honestly goes out to anyone who is truly in need, but seeing people trying to con others really bothers me.

I saw one guy sitting on the corner of an off ramp with a cup in hand and a sign that said Need Work on it. All he would do is wait for the red light, then go car to car asking for money. When the light turned green, he'd go back to the end of the street and wait for the new batch of suckers. The thing that really pissed me off is he was doing this just outside the business district where there's 100+ different businesses from the fast food places to the big supercenters. You can't tell me that no one is hiring right before the biggest holiday sales push in this country. If he walked up and down the street, he probably could have nailed down at least 2 or 3 jobs.

Then I've got another one where this woman will sit right outside Walmart with a sign saying she's stranded and needs money to get home. She just sits there talking on her cellphone with her dog in hand to prey on people's sympathies. She doesn't want a ride... just money. It's honestly infuriating.

I did encounter someone who was genuinely in need. He was asking for any help that could be given. I offered him a pack of oreos I had on me and a Gatorade and he graciously accepted.

Beggars can't be choosers and that's typically how you can tell the difference between the ones who genuinely need help and those that just prey on the sympathy of others. No one can fault you for wanting to help your fellow man. I refuse to give money on principle, but food, clothing, toys, and my time I will always give because you know they will be used by those truly in need.

I would do the same thing. They don't deserve any gratitude if they are out for money.

My SOP for panhandlers is tell them to go away. I don't care their circumstances. I figure it's a self-correcting problem. I figure hunger will lead to one of three outcomes: starvation cures the problem, if the individual turns violent, ill cure the problem, or they will decide they've had enough of this lifestyle and will get a job and be a contributing member of society, which is the outcome we all would prefer.