Give change, not money: Why you should say 'no' to panhandlers

by Sandra Douglas

My friend Carrie told me this story: "A woman came up to me in the parking lot of the grocery store. With a baby on her hip, she asked for money for formula. How could I leave her baby to starve? I couldn't even give her f...read more

by Terris Harned

First of all, I want to tell you all: I'm homeless. I live in Seattle Washington. I sleep nights in a shelter, run by myself and other homeless individuals. Some of us work. Some of us receive a small dispensation fr...read more

by Caryn Murray

There are many 'kinds' of homeless people. It's ridiculously rude to treat anybody like a 'useless drunk'. There are always stories you don't know, and to judge anybody is morally wrong. However, the homeless people who...read more

by Lindsey Feldman

For me, the term "panhandler" conjures up images of someone who is trying to get money on a less-than-truthful premise. While I've certainly encountered this approach in the past, some homeless people simply can't see a w...read more

by E. V. SHAW

If I say 'no' to panhandlers, it is because I do not have change. If you are approached by one saying that he is from out of town and is afraid that he will not have enough gas to get back, offer to follow him to the gas ...read more

by Louis Winthorpe III

First, don't ever GIVE your money away, always ask for something in return. I don't know about you but I work too hard to just give my money away. So if someone asks me for change I ask for something simple...advice. Hey...read more

by Barbara Kasey Smith

In so many areas of our country, there are panhandlers standing/sitting in medians at intersections and at traffic lights with a sign that reads "homeless - work for food." A car can pull up and offer the person a job weed...read more

by Ann Marie Dwyer

While giving pocket change to an apparent homeless individual may not seem harmful, in the long run, you are paying for this person's misery. Panhandlers take two persona: The able-bodied person who would rather be handed...read more

by Sparx

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for helping the homeless, but why do we give them money? Case in point: Homeless guy panhandling in the street. He's got a few dollars already in his beat up Starbucks cup. Another guy walk...read more

by Ethos

First and foremost, this is a topic receiving a lot of publicity here in West Palm Beach, Florida. I personally witnessed a two week trial between Westgate Tabernacle Church VS- Palm Beach County, and the result was rather...read more

by Christine Mikel

I have had a little experience with panhandlers, and yes I have given them money. Most of the time though I offer to buy them something to eat. In 1990 I lived in Arlington Texas. I was working and going to school. Every d...read more