The homeless gauntlet
I find coming to work in the mornings very stressful. In West Philly, where I live, I never see people begging for change. But the minute I get to the train station in Center City, running the homeless gauntlet begins. First there’s the elderly man who stands on the steps that lead to the street. He intones, over and over, “Spare any change. May God bless you.” But he draws out the “God” pretty long. So it’s more “May Gooooood bless you.” Sometimes he says instead, “May God thank you.” It’s a little hard to tell. His words are garbled, I think due to years of alcohol abuse.
The next guy is stationed about a block away. He’s an amputee on crutches who’s always cheerful, very lucid and nicely dressed.
Then there’s a new guy, who sits on a plastic crate outside of Staples, who’s also elderly and a bit disheveled. He doesn’t say much; he just holds a can in his hands. I’ve never once seen anyone give him money.
Finally there’s the guy who sits on the corner outside PW’s building. He makes a good deal of money, he told one of our writers. He’s usually pretty well turned-out too, but I think he has substance abuse issues.
Along the way, but not quite part of the gauntlet proper, there are usually one or two dirty white kids holding signs saying things like, “I need money to get to Chicago.” They’re generally nodding out or reading a book. I suspect Chicago isn’t necessarily in their plans.
I feel deeply sorry for all these people. I know they’re all struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse issues. When I walk by, without engaging them, I feel so guilty. On the other hand, if I smile and say, “Sorry,” isn’t that ridiculous? I used to give change to everyone, but recently I’ve been convinced by some experts that it isn’t the way to solve the problem of homelessness. There was a nonprofit campaign here with posters and brochures that said, “The more you give change, the more things stay the same.” Is that true? I’m so conflicted. I dread getting off the trolley in the morning.
I’m curious: For those of you who live in a big city, do you give change to panhandlers? What are the factors that motivate your decision?
Liz | 10:37 AM | Uncategorized
I feel so similarly conflicted. On the whole, I’m not a change giver. I also feel uncomfortable with the “’sorry’ and smile” method, and often opt to just look where i’m going if I can–just like I do with the people who try to hand me fliers. I feel awful. Sometimes I think, “I really want to give to those less fortunate. If I had to ask, I’d want someone to be kind to me.” And then I think, “Giving this woman change isn’t going to make her life better, even if she says she wants it for food.” I have yet to try the “I’ll buy you a sandwich” option. And *then* I get angry that someone thinks he is entitled to ask for some of my hard-earned money. Change in my life is often used for transportation. In those moments I feel a bit better … I don’t feel like I actually have ’spare’ change, even when I have change.
I am also wary of getting scammed. How do I know these people are really homeless? Especially the dirty white kids. I feel like I might be the subject of some sociology experiment, or just some kid out for larks to see how much change he can scam off the unsuspecting generous.
My boyfriend, who was raised in the south, said he was taught never to ask people (especially strangers) for money, so he mostly gets annoyed that people have the gall to ask. Although sometimes he’ll help a brotha out. Couldn’t say why.
All that said, I mostly only give change when I feel cornered, or when something says to me “this person will use this change for good.”
Did that help?
perhaps making a sandwich for each person once a week would keep the connection with these individuals- but not in a monetary way.
i know you dont want to pretend that they are not there. i understand your compassion for these individuals.
maybe on monday, one person gets a PB&J sandwich, wednesday someone else gets a cup of soup……
I say give if you can afford to.I realized by giving a buck to every beggar I saw I was giving $30 to $50 bucks a month and I simply cant afford that. I am a bipolar nurse without treatment,I was once homeless. It was very traumatic. To beg for help is dehumanizing. They make a sacrifice in the act of begging, so please give what you can.
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