My husband and I were leaving WalMart when we drove past a young couple holding a small sign written in pen, so it was hard to read. They were out of gas and needed to get 100 mi down the road. He explained that he had gone up to DesMoines for a “sure thing” tech job, but when he and his wife arrived, they did not hire him after all. Then the car broke down and they spent most of their cash to fix it, and here they were.
We only had about $10 on us, so gave them that, then brought them to the gas station right there and filled them up using our debit card. It could have been a BS story, but that doesn’t matter to me. I have children, one has been VERY down on his luck in the past, and I hope somebody would do the same for *my* child. We were happy to help them.
I have been panhandled at gas stations a couple of times - hood up, need a part, family in the back. Guy has a cell phone, no credit card...tells me he has no family (mother, father, brother, sisters, friends) to call for help. It did not add up. Two months later, I see the same scammer at another gas station with the hood up, approach me and . . .
Even better. . .panhandled at the airport baggage claim in Philadelphia... scammer wanted 200 to stay in nearby hotel so he could catch his next flight. Showed me his drivers license, had an i-phone (I only have a flip phone) and promised that he would mail $250 the next day. I asked him how he bought his airline ticket why Motel 6 was not good enough for him, no debit card? no credit card? and when I asked him if he thought of calling his parents on his i-phone for help . . . he left.
Good for you, that's the only thing that really matters......
I try to shop at my local Meijer store early in the morning between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Usually at that time the cleaning crew, which is made up of hispanics from south America rather than Mexico, are finishing up. I watch them when I'm there and they are never idle or talking to each other. They are constantly on the move, doing their jobs.
I picked up three money gift cards this morning at the store and I intend to put $50 in each and pass them out to three of the ladies.......In sure they can put it to better use than my nieces and nephews....and it'll make me feel good.
Had the same thing happen here only the lady had used her truck to help someone move. They had promised her gas money and then backed out. We tried to fill up her truck for her but she only let us put in enough to get her back home to Tucson.
Had the same thing happen to me. Guy and a gal and a gas can, needing money to get to Montana. Wife had me turn around and give them money. Month later, same couple, same sign, same gas can. Wife is no longer quite so generous. Another time, must have been quitting time for the panhandlers, followed a Caddy picking up the group.