So how do you guys/gals handle this situation?

I'll give if I notice the need, but I don't generally give to beggars, there are too many government sponsored programs designed to help that I already "gave" to.

On a related note, do you pick up hitch hikers?

 

I agree. It'll be interesting to see what happens and how Portland responds.

 

What a throwback, DaveGunter ! Haven't seen many hitch hikers in recent decades. Not at all like it was back in the 60's, for sure!

Yes, I have picked up some, rarely, in the past.

And usually stop to offer help when I see what appears a disabled vehicle pulled over (flat tire, hood up, trunk up, whatever)

 

No negativity noted!

 

Never have...not sayin I never would...not likely though!
My FIL used to do it all the time

 

I was waiting for the Green arrow to pull into the Wal-Mart in Littleton, NH and there was a guy with a sign begging. "Out of a job, need money", yadda, yadda. Well I look over to Wal-mart and they got a 30' X 6' banner on the side of the building saying " Now Hiring". So I start yelling ,hey there you go. He just ignored me.

 

Once when I was approached by someone for money for gas, I told them to meet me down at the gas station a half a block away and I will put $10 in their tank. They never showed up.
I am always conflicted about the beggars, panhandlers, etc.?? So, when they ask for something specific I sometimes agree to go buy it for them. Usually not alcohol. I never give cash. Sometimes they take me up on it so then I feel it might have been legit. Who knows, I feel to let God be the judge if there is deceit. I give cash and my time to go down a help Mary Jo Copeland at Caring and Sharing Hands, she has been in "my face" and she is all about helping the truly needy but they need to account for what has been given to them. She gave me the idea to buy the gas not give the money.
Marty

 

Here is a new one on me--Yesterday, a really, really old guy was wandering up and down the train station asking,"Does anybody got thirty-eight cents? I need thirty-eight cents".
After a few minutes I felt magnanimous and put two quarters in his hand. He muttered his thanks, then wandered further way sayin, "Anybody got thirty-eight cents..."
I chuckled along with the woman standing next to me. About 5 minutes later a younger man came by asking for twenty-two cents...
True story!

 

If it's "Tax Free cash" ,
I'm in
In a 40 hour week, $400,
Couple weeks , $800 & a new Husqy 562

Easier than CSS'g 4 cord of firewood @ $200 each
Come with "Free Lunch" ?

 

Keep begging, we'll throw something together for you!

 

After I posted this I remembered something amusing about my former FIL...not only did he pick up hitchhikers...one time he went to an auction, bought a pony...brought it home in the back seat of his Cadillac! Must have been a scary ride, scared the poo right outta the poor thing!

 

I don't pick up hitch hikers anymore but used to and it still twinges at my heart to pass a hicher and not stop,but I am to old now and people are crazy and if I got killed because of a psyco hiker it would really pizz me off....

 

Not to mention ruin your day too! (And ours)

 

Thanks...But not to worry if i get killed by a hiker it would be my own fault for being a senile old fool for trying to help someone...

 

I only help people I know. Building relationships with others is good at sorting out who's telling the truth. Those who don't want to build a relationship are usually hiding something/someone and don't generally really need it. Those that need help and aren't asking for it will become obvious. Always exceptions, but I just don't have time for the games and enabling users. If they have time to scheme for handouts, they probably have time to apply for a job or figure out how to budget money by reading a book. #ToughLove

 

My Aunt knew this nice old man lived down the street from her. One day as he is coming home he sees a car on the side of the road. He stopped to help them. As he was adding gas to their tank the young man shot him in the back of the head.

Someone here already said it, we give to the government who then has programs. Churches have food banks, clothing drives ect. If they are begging for gas do they have car insurance? By not giving you help take another uninsured motorist off the street.

The even worse ones are these so called charities where the CEO and his cronies make 7 figures. They run telemarket drives and mailers, collect millions, buy advertising time to raise awareness and the actual funds go towards buying trinkets from another charity that cost 10 cents but they inflate the value to 10 dollars so it looks on paper like they actually donated when they just funnel the money through a huge laundry machine.


Update: Good Charity You Can't Judge a Book by its Cover or a Charity by its Name | Disabled and Paralyzed Veterans Fund | CharityWatch

America's Worst Charities

 

Two or three days ago, a fellow stopped to help a woman who's car was on fire in Topeka, Ks. It was cool so he let her sit in his truck while he was doing whatever with her car. When they could hear sirens coming, she took off in his truck, later wrecking it about 20 miles away.