The homeless

[Lor]

I have given gas, food, rides (not lately on this one) but find it hard to part w/ $ as I feel a sense of responsibility and duty to help not to enable further problems. Just my 2 cents. Sounds like we have a good family here on STR.

[Pickettt]

I'm of the belief that true altruism doesn't exist. Any thoughts?

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by Pickettt

I'm of the belief that true altruism doesn't exist. Any thoughts?

"altruism" the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others

I practice it myself so I believe it exists.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Pickettt

I'm of the belief that true altruism doesn't exist. Any thoughts?

Maybe it doesn't, but I'll keep trying.We are human and we are imperfect, but this is a worthy endeavor.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Have you ever been homeless? Really, really, down and out with no one to turn to. Can you even fathom the despair some of these people endure? No you can't. At 16 years old I ran away from a foster home and found myself on the streets. I met some of these people and although I didn't live their life, I got a good taste for what life on the streets is all about.
I give because I can.
Judge not, lest you be judged

Do unto others as you'd have done to you.

And but for the grace of God, go I.

My point in saying that often times I have mixed feelings about helping them is not because I don't want to, its because I feel as though their is a better way to over come it completely. As they say give them fish and they eat for a day, teach them to fish and they feed themselves for the rest of their lives...I just see some of these feedings as a band aid, and not a solution...but as I stated earlier, some of us don't have the means to do more then just feed so we do what we can with what we can spare....

btw..my family spent about a year in a refugee camp in Indonesia, They did not want us there, my dad has story after story about how they tried to put us back on our boat and set us adrift...agian. I was four at the time and probably did not grasp how hard it was, but when I hear the stories my dad tells me it gives me chills, please dont miss judge my alternate way of thinking, for a lack of compassion, I'm just wondering if there is another way....

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by .8down

My point in saying that often times I have mixed feelings about helping them is not because I don't want to, its because I feel as though their is a better way to over come it completely. As they say give them fish and they eat for a day, teach them to fish and they feed themselves for the rest of their lives...I just see some of these feedings as a band aid, and not a solution...but as I stated earlier, some of us don't have the means to do more then just feed so we do what we can with what we can spare....

You got it, maybe some day he/she will learn to fish.We do what we can, when we can.

[bighit8]

Wow, when I started this I was not bashing homeless, it's just It got out of hand because its like going through a gauntlet every time I go to the local store.Once and awhile I don't mind but its every single time I go to the store I am bombarded with peeps asking for change. I don't care what they do with the money I give them.The whole reason I brought it up is when I went to the store a guy asked me for change, I said I did not have any and I didn't. He responded "oh I see you only give money to the homeless you like"referring to the guy I gave the bike to.

[Pain Freak]

Try to remember these usually aren't the brightest of people, kind of like why they might be in their position. Try to take it with a grain of salt. You're a good person and don't let what one person might say bother you.

I know it's hard having compassion for someone who has just cussed you out.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Wow, when I started this I was not bashing homeless, it's just It got out of hand because its like going through a gauntlet every time I go to the local store.Once and awhile I don't mind but its every single time I go to the store I am bombarded with peeps asking for change. I don't care what they do with the money I give them.The whole reason I brought it up is when I went to the store a guy asked me for change, I said I did not have any and I didn't. He responded "oh I see you only give money to the homeless you like"referring to the guy I gave the bike to.

you should have said well after saying that can you blame me for not liking you!!!

[bighit8]

Thanks, I posted it will venting.You know how that goes!

[freerider59]

At one time 70% of the homeless were veterens suffering from PTSD & drugs. With the war in the middle east it will cause it to rise again. Do donate to shelters , donate time, donate blood. Big companys & people just aren't donating like they use to. As a survivor of both, your donations will help.

[asian fury]

we have plenty of reasons to be. it is true that a good percentage will not use your donation for what was intented and some will feel intitled to help, but we can not let those sway our compassion for those that truly need our help.

"I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world we know
Never changes me"- Garth Brooks

[MotoRider]

When a homeless person rejects the food you give them or throw what you gave away, you must remember that they are people, too and they have feelings and preferences like we do. Just because we got them food, doesnt mean they have to like it. As far as sparing change, I dont spare any change. Its either food or nothing. If they dont like the food I gave them, fine.