3 Common Panhandling Stories Demystified
| By Unknown user - Jul 17, 2009 11:42:14 AM ET |
Whether you’re a closet fan, or guard the remote at 4:00 every weekday, you may have caught (or heard about) the Oprah episode where she gave $100,000 to a homeless man. In case you missed it like I did (I read about it later though), the producers had cameramen follow him around to watch how he spent all this money. To the every day viewer, the results may have come as a big disappointment. If you saw it, you may have wanted it to turn out like Extreme Home Makeover where they march in and save the day by building the family a brand new house, and reveal it with a big dramatic ending involving a semi-truck and kids jumping on their new drivable race car beds. But instead, the guy rented himself an apartment, bought a $32,000 truck, then proceeded to take his friends to car dealerships and let them pick out the car they wanted that he would pay for. He bought some more stuff, and gave money away, and sooner than later ended up back on the streets where he started.
I won’t even get into the differences between poverty and middle class culture, and how they view money differently, but there is much to be said for money not being a solution to a homeless person’s problems.
Chances are, people that line the city streets asking for spare change are begging to fill some need, whether it’s truly the need they claim to have or not. Behind every panhandler is likely to be some very real and dramatic issues that need to be addressed. However, as I said before, I submit that money is not the answer to those issues.
So now what? You’re face to face with a desperate looking man who is spouting off every Jesus reference he can think of to convince you he is a man of integrity who wouldn’t lie to you. His story sounds legit, but you’re not sure. Well let’s look at the facts.
The following apply to Detroit only.
1. Food
In Detroit alone, someone who is “homeless and hungry” can get a meal every day of the week. Here are just some of the locations and times:
Mon:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams - 10:30 – 12pm
-Saint Andrew-Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2261 Marquette St. - 4-5pm
-Detroit Rescue Mission, 3535 Third St. – 5:30-6pm
Tue:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Wed:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
-Saint Andrew-Redeemer Lutheran Church - 4-5pm
Thu:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Fort Street Presbyterian, 631 W Fort St. – 9–11am
-Central United Methodist Church - 10:30 – 12pm
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Fri:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Sat:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast and lunch)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Sun:
-Crossroads of Michigan, 2424 W Grand Blvd – 12-3pm
2. Bus Fare
Another common story is that the person asking for money needs it to get a bus ticket home. This is probably the one I hear the most. The person is “stranded, and just needs 50 cents for bus fare”. Or, probably even more common, “I just got out of the hospital (or prison) and I’m trying to get home.” I met a guy once outside of a convenient store I watched buy a shot of whiskey from the clerk, and then started in with me about how he just got out of prison and needed money for a meal and a bus ticket to a shelter. He even had on his ID bracelet to make his story more convincing. I knew the shelter he was talking about and it was within walking distance. Nonetheless, I talked to him for a minute and heard his story, then offered to buy him a pizza and a bus ticket. He declined and walked away.
This is one of those that sounds very legit, but if you come Downtown often enough, you’re likely to see the same people, walking around the same area with the same story. A good solution to this is to spend $5-10 on one-way bus tickets, and just carry them around with you. That way when someone asks you specifically for bus fare, you can meet that need directly. The person in need gets to keep his dignity because it shows him that you believe his need is real, and you value him as a person enough to meet that need.
If you don’t have bus tickets on you, you can always offer to purchase a ticket for the person if they will come with you. If they are not being truthful, they will likely decline, because by coming with you they would be missing out on opportunities for people to give them money. I’ve seen this happen many times, and it’s another one of those win/win solutions.
3. Guilt Trip
I recently saw Chris Gardner speak; a guy who went from being homeless to becoming a top executive on Wall Street. Will Smith played his character in “The Pursuit of Happyness”. Something he said in his talk has stuck with me, and I feel it’s pretty telling. He said, “There is a different population of homeless people; the working homeless. You don’t see them, because they’re not waiting around for people to give them money. They’re at work, or out looking for work.”
After hearing that, I didn’t feel bad about saying no to those panhandlers who really lay it on thick. “Come on man, help a poor homeless guy…It’s my birthday…God bless you…I’m a diabetic veteran..”
When we give people money, we enable them to make a living begging for money.
“A survey conducted by the Coos Bay [Oregon] Police Department found that people who ask for money outside the Wal-Mart on Newmark Avenue can make $300 in one day. In comparison, an employee inside the store, working at minimum wage, would need to put in five, eight-hour days to make that much.” (Read the full article here: http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/01/29/news/doc479f709bd9f41798626761.txt)
All people are valuable. One way to show someone they are valuable is to not enable them to devalue themselves by relying on everyone else to carry them through life. Even those who are mentally ill will not have their problems solved by getting free money. If you have a passion for a certain population of homelessness, such as the mentally ill, those stuck in addiction, or even those who are really trying to work their way to stability, find out what is already available in your community for them. If you find there are gaps, become an advocate for those gaps to be filled, or just commit to being in someone’s life who is experiencing homelessness. Be consistent with that person and encourage others to join you in that approach. I’ve seen the effects that positive relationships have on those who are struggling, and I can tell you with confidence there is no substitute for positive emotional support. Just being there and being supportive can inspire an addict to change, or provide comfort and relief to someone struggling with a mental illness. Learn the name of the person asking for money. Be kind and encouraging, but don’t be afraid to flat out say “no” to giving him/her money.
I won’t even get into the differences between poverty and middle class culture, and how they view money differently, but there is much to be said for money not being a solution to a homeless person’s problems.
Chances are, people that line the city streets asking for spare change are begging to fill some need, whether it’s truly the need they claim to have or not. Behind every panhandler is likely to be some very real and dramatic issues that need to be addressed. However, as I said before, I submit that money is not the answer to those issues.
So now what? You’re face to face with a desperate looking man who is spouting off every Jesus reference he can think of to convince you he is a man of integrity who wouldn’t lie to you. His story sounds legit, but you’re not sure. Well let’s look at the facts.
The following apply to Detroit only.
1. Food
In Detroit alone, someone who is “homeless and hungry” can get a meal every day of the week. Here are just some of the locations and times:
Mon:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams - 10:30 – 12pm
-Saint Andrew-Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2261 Marquette St. - 4-5pm
-Detroit Rescue Mission, 3535 Third St. – 5:30-6pm
Tue:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Wed:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
-Saint Andrew-Redeemer Lutheran Church - 4-5pm
Thu:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Fort Street Presbyterian, 631 W Fort St. – 9–11am
-Central United Methodist Church - 10:30 – 12pm
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Fri:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Sat:
-Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 6333 Medbury St. – (breakfast and lunch)
-Manna Community Meal, 1950 Trumbull St. – 7-11am
-Detroit Rescue Mission – 5:30-6pm
Sun:
-Crossroads of Michigan, 2424 W Grand Blvd – 12-3pm
2. Bus Fare
Another common story is that the person asking for money needs it to get a bus ticket home. This is probably the one I hear the most. The person is “stranded, and just needs 50 cents for bus fare”. Or, probably even more common, “I just got out of the hospital (or prison) and I’m trying to get home.” I met a guy once outside of a convenient store I watched buy a shot of whiskey from the clerk, and then started in with me about how he just got out of prison and needed money for a meal and a bus ticket to a shelter. He even had on his ID bracelet to make his story more convincing. I knew the shelter he was talking about and it was within walking distance. Nonetheless, I talked to him for a minute and heard his story, then offered to buy him a pizza and a bus ticket. He declined and walked away.
This is one of those that sounds very legit, but if you come Downtown often enough, you’re likely to see the same people, walking around the same area with the same story. A good solution to this is to spend $5-10 on one-way bus tickets, and just carry them around with you. That way when someone asks you specifically for bus fare, you can meet that need directly. The person in need gets to keep his dignity because it shows him that you believe his need is real, and you value him as a person enough to meet that need.
If you don’t have bus tickets on you, you can always offer to purchase a ticket for the person if they will come with you. If they are not being truthful, they will likely decline, because by coming with you they would be missing out on opportunities for people to give them money. I’ve seen this happen many times, and it’s another one of those win/win solutions.
3. Guilt Trip
I recently saw Chris Gardner speak; a guy who went from being homeless to becoming a top executive on Wall Street. Will Smith played his character in “The Pursuit of Happyness”. Something he said in his talk has stuck with me, and I feel it’s pretty telling. He said, “There is a different population of homeless people; the working homeless. You don’t see them, because they’re not waiting around for people to give them money. They’re at work, or out looking for work.”
After hearing that, I didn’t feel bad about saying no to those panhandlers who really lay it on thick. “Come on man, help a poor homeless guy…It’s my birthday…God bless you…I’m a diabetic veteran..”
When we give people money, we enable them to make a living begging for money.
“A survey conducted by the Coos Bay [Oregon] Police Department found that people who ask for money outside the Wal-Mart on Newmark Avenue can make $300 in one day. In comparison, an employee inside the store, working at minimum wage, would need to put in five, eight-hour days to make that much.” (Read the full article here: http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2008/01/29/news/doc479f709bd9f41798626761.txt)
All people are valuable. One way to show someone they are valuable is to not enable them to devalue themselves by relying on everyone else to carry them through life. Even those who are mentally ill will not have their problems solved by getting free money. If you have a passion for a certain population of homelessness, such as the mentally ill, those stuck in addiction, or even those who are really trying to work their way to stability, find out what is already available in your community for them. If you find there are gaps, become an advocate for those gaps to be filled, or just commit to being in someone’s life who is experiencing homelessness. Be consistent with that person and encourage others to join you in that approach. I’ve seen the effects that positive relationships have on those who are struggling, and I can tell you with confidence there is no substitute for positive emotional support. Just being there and being supportive can inspire an addict to change, or provide comfort and relief to someone struggling with a mental illness. Learn the name of the person asking for money. Be kind and encouraging, but don’t be afraid to flat out say “no” to giving him/her money.
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