How To Protect Your Money From Panhandlers
I am tired of all the panhandlers I see begging for money on the street corner. Why do these people do this? The panhandlers stand there with their sign that reads, “Will Work for Food” or “Out of Work Vietnam Veteran”. If they are looking for work, then why are they standing on a street corner with a can begging? When was the last time that you got a job from standing alongside the street? What panhandlers really want is to scam us out of our hard earned cash. They are freeloaders and it makes me mad!
Get a job and stop panhandling!
I am seriously thinking about making my own sign. It will read, “Get a Job!” I will hold it up in my car window whenever I see a panhandler with their sign. I know this doesn’t seem very politically correct, but this is America and I have the same freedom to express myself as these freeloaders have in begging. My message to the panhandlers is that the best way for them to solve their problems is to go to work. I have to work to support my family and I think the panhandlers should work too. There are plenty of jobs available if you are willing to work. The probably is that these people are lazy. They have found that they can swindle honest, hard-working people out of their money for far less effort than what it would take if they got a job. They should apply their time and creative effort in a serious endeavor, then I’m sure they could make more money than what they make panhandling.
The stories of panhandlers don’t usually pan out.
I guess what really burns me is that the sad stories panhandlers tell are usually lies. They use guilt to prey upon our good natures. I hate the idea of being scammed. However, I seriously want to help someone that needs it. How do you tell the difference? Unfortunately, I think it is impossible. Their lies are so good and so complete I think they sometimes start believing them. This is the dilemma each of us faces when we run into one of these people on the street. Do we give them money knowing we are probably getting swindled or do we pass on by and feel the guilt?
My encounter with a panhandler in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Recently, I was approached by a woman in a Wal-Mart parking lot panhandling for money. She told me that she was a single mom who was out of work. She was really embarrassed to have to ask people for money this way, but she didn’t know any other way to feed her kids. She continued to elaborate and even had tears start welling up in her eyes. I couldn’t resist. I gave her five bucks. How else do you get out of such a situation? If I walk off, then I wonder the rest of the day whether I did the right thing. Of course, I still think that I was probably scammed.
How to protect your money and avoid the guilt.
As a result of this ongoing dilemma, I have come up with some ideas on how we can protect our money and still avoid the guilt in these situations. I hope these help you the next time you encounter a panhandler on the street.
- Make a list of local shelters. Prepare a list of local shelters that provide beds, hot meals, and other forms of assistance to those in need. When a panhandler corners you, refer them to one of these shelters. If you run into panhandlers often, then you could obtain or prepare some cards in advance to hand out with the name and addresses of a few shelters. This relieves the guilt without costing you any money because if the person is truly needy, then they can get help at the shelter.
- Carry some low-cost, nutritious snacks. A friend of mine actually carries some snacks in her vehicle so that when she sees a panhandler on a corner, she can hand one to them. Her guilt stems from wondering if the person is truly hungry as so many of their signs imply. By providing them with a prepackaged snack, she can go on about her day without any guilt. Of course, this costs her a little money, but much less than handing over a few dollars. The City of Nashville suggests items like bottled water or food gift certificates.
- Donate money to worthy charities. Find a good charity and donate money regularly to it. Charity Navigator is a great place to start. This way you can tell panhandlers that you donate all your money to your favorite charity and therefore you have a policy against making donations to individuals. This relieves your guilt because you are donating to a good cause. You might even combine this idea with one of the other two above.
Panhandling is not the answer so don’t perpetuate the problem.
Begging for money on the street is not the answer to a panhandler’s problems. When we give them money, we simply perpetuate the problem. It may take a moment more of your time, but do something more productive so that maybe these people will find the real help they need and get off the street. I am convinced that there are more positive ways to relieve the guilt without ignoring the issue all together.
Photo by romulusnr
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Lynnae | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
Our newspaper did a story on a panhandler family about a year ago. They made enough money panhandling that they lived in a nice hotel (could probably have afforded to rent a nice home, but they chose the hotel) and sent their oldest son to PRIVATE school!
There was a huge backlash from the article, and nobody around here gives to panhandlers anymore. I’ve always just donated to charities. I figure there are enough charities around here that if someone REALLY needs help, they should be able to find it through those venues.
fathersez | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
We have had cases of people reporting that they see vans dropping off panhandlers at various locations, and then picking them up at the end of the day.
Much like a school bus.
It is a big organised scam.
I think the view that the best charity we can do to the poor is not to be poor ourselves makes a lot of sense, don’t you think.
Lin | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
You are so right, giving panhandlers money is only contributing to the problem rather than helping it. I agree that donating money to charities that genuinely help people in need is the best way to ensure monies are being spent on necessities, rather than alcohol or drug addictions.
Here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area (especially close to downtown areas), there are panhandlers everywhere, and changes in the local laws haven’t stopped the problem. I do wonder sometimes if there are enough shelters to help those who truly are in need. Fortunately I don’t see them very often, not living in areas where panhandlers tend to congregate on street corners.
A few years ago I also happened to see a panhandler leave his corner of choice and get into a brand new, shiny BMW and drive away. Hmmm
Jeff | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
@Lynnae - Interesting story! Unfortunately, I have heard too many just like it.
@fathersez - I have heard similar things. In one story I read, the panhandlers had a schedule for each street corner in a given area. They rotated every two hours. Talk about organized crime!
@Lin - I don’t think cities can effectively legislate against panhandling. They do arrest those that are threatening and overly obnoxious, but they can’t stop it all together. I believe that if we stop giving panhandlers money so that it stops being so profitable, the problem will rectify itself.
Thanks for contributing your thoughts!
Ron@TheWisdomJournal | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
I’ve seen news organizations that would follow panhandlers to their late model used cars and then follow them to their relatively average homes and then confront them. One guy was making over $50,000 per year.
In some cities, the panhandlers get violent…with each other. It seems there are certain street corners that are more profitable than others and the panhandlers defend them as turf.
The newscast suggested pretty much the same things you did: give food or water but never money. Always donate the money you would’ve given to charity instead.
Frugal Dad | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
I’ve often gave and wondered if I was simply enabling a drug or alcohol addiction, or a lifestyle of laziness. I stopped giving cash a while back and have turned to giving gifts of food and other staples.
Periapex | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
We also need to think about when we go away to a poorer nation on vacation. Many times the panhandlers there are kids who should be in school. Giving them anything, whether it is money, candy, or whatever, will encourage them to stay out of school.
Jeff | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
@Ron - Aren’t those types of stories so frustrating? I guess there is a lot of money to be made, but where is their pride?
@FD - I’ve given as well and wondered the same things that you have. I hope others will do as you have and stop giving money. I don’t want to be callous, but I do want my money to go to those truly in need. People that can work, should get busy.
@Periapex - You’re right. This issue isn’t just limited to countries like the U.S. I have encountered panhandlers many times when I was overseas and I haven’t always been clear about how to handle the situation. My heart breaks for those in need, but I don’t want to perpetuate problems like you have brought to light.
I appreciate all the comments!
Ulla | May 1, 2008 | Reply
I like your tips. Here in Berlin, Germany, I encounter a lot of panhandlers, and up to now I either gave them some money or nothing at all. The idea of nutritious snacks is great!
Za'ida | May 1, 2008 | Reply
The worst panhandlers I ever met lived in Abu Dhabi where young women make a regular “business” of panhandling. Often they rent children to/from other beggars…
Jeff | May 1, 2008 | Reply
Za’ida - That is interesting! I can’t imagine renting my children for the purpose of helping someone else to panhandle more effectively. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if similar things didn’t go on right here in the States.
Thanks for adding to the discussion!
Jeff | May 1, 2008 | Reply
@Ulla - Glad you got something from the article! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment all the way from Berlin!
sara l | May 3, 2008 | Reply
My favorite was a lady near my sophomore/junior year dorm. She walked up and down the block saying she was pregnant and needed money for care. In the 15 months I saw her I never saw a bump.
That said I have worked something out with people who approach for actual work. In my last city it wasn’t unusual for men to walk around with a shovel after a snowstorm to create extra income for their families. In the winter my roommates and I kept a few bucks around the house and instant cocoa in the pantry for these situations.
I give time/money to organizations that I think are doing good work and will pay someone to do specific tasks. Otherwise my dollars are for me.
Jeff | May 4, 2008 | Reply
@sara - Great example! I certainly don’t mind helping people that want to work, but it does frustrate me to see so many able-bodied people begging on street corners. It sounds like you have a good approach.
Clay Collins | The Growing Life | May 5, 2008 | Reply
While I don’t think that all panhandlers are scam artists (many are folks with mental illnesses that make it impossible for them to simply put on a suit and interview for a job), I think these are great tips that you offer and are probably a better solution than simply handing out cash. Very thoughtful ideas!