Posted on 04/06/2005 12:35:48 PM PDT by Willie Green
bump
A person who was down on their luck - through whatever circumstances homeless and jobless but who wanted to 'right themselves' - get a job, lodging, etc. could stop by any church in any town - maybe it might take a few phone calls -
Churches are not likely to help unless they have a large assistance program or the needy person has been around our people awhile. We cannot assess a person who comes to the door or telephones saying they ran out of gas on the way to a job. There's no way to tell if they make their living by jumping from church to church asking for handouts, or if they are truly in need.
We just don't/can't help with cash. Especially not only-one-in-the-building church secretary's.
That was a really nice thing for you to do. Unfortunately, it's hard telling the truly needy from the con artists, which is why I never give anything to beggars with signs. I know and they know there are programs out there to help those who really are down on their luck. If they don't want to make the effort to seek them out, that tells me all I need to know about their true intentions.
I wonder how many of his relatives he owes money to or has behaved so badly he is not welcome in any of their homes? (2 years without working. probably kicked out of several relatives or friends homes)
In the 80's, the best was the woman who dressed very profesionally with makeup and all who would hang around the Herald Square subway stairs asking for some subway or PATH train fair since her handbag was stolen.
She was there almost everyday.
Even better, on the day of the NYC marathon, she was there in shorts and number tag doing more of the same!
St. Vincent dePaul helps people with rent, bills, food, clothing, medication, etc. We never give cash.....sometimes I think I've seen the worse of worse situations and then another call comes in.....the ones with children involved are the real heartbreakers. Most volunteers last 2 years before having to take a break. And I'm in a small rural community. I can't imagine what a large city would be like...or maybe I can.
I don't know that I buy that story still. Only 20 miles from their destination? Likely a local call. I'm sure any of the local businesses would have accomadated them with their phone so they could call their "relatives". Either they aren't very resourceful or they were lying, maybe in the hopes you might fork over a little more cash since they tugged at your heartstrings.
Psst, there were lots of dumpster divers in Phoenix. You wouldn't believe how many people living in ordinary homes do that to scrounge up stuff for yardsales to make money. They do it by scouring front yards for junk too that's left out in the trash.
Every Food Bank in every city would help out these people. Something is fishy.
That's really sweet and all, but I'm sure much of cynicism on this board is born of experience with these types. Personally, I have yet to find one on the up and up.
I keep Poptarts in the car for beggars. They always like Poptarts.
Then again, she orders lobster when she goes to a restaurant. Hmmmm
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