Making An Exception
I don’t like giving money to beggars. I give to charities, but almost never to anyone who solicits me on the street. I just feel that the money is better given and distributed in aggregate and with regulations. However, yesterday I had to make an exception.
So Bunky and I were walking back from the swank new Borders bookstore when a heavy snowstorm hit. As we trekked back in the snow and commented on how miserable the weather was, we noticed a homeless man at the corner of the supermarket. The man looked like he was going to be buried in the snow. We had to buy some stuff at the supermarket and neither of us could really bear to just leave him hanging out there. So I picked up 8 hand-warmer packs and a $10 gift certificate for the supermarket and gave it to him. He mentioned that he was on his last handwarmer, so the contribution was much appreciated. He was very polite and pleasant. I wished him the best of luck.
I guess it’s hard to really stick to your principles without considering the circumstances.
By Catnipped, 1/29/2007 @ 6:56 pm
I think it was very good of you to help that guy out. It may have saved him from freezing to death. I usually don’t give money to people standing at street corners either because mostly I just don’t know what I should do when I come back the next day and they are still there.( I know not a very good reason). and you are doing a good things so I think your “principles” will be forgiving
By Tochi, 1/29/2007 @ 10:03 pm
/cheer Chiriri
I think the handwarmers and coupons did more for that one man than $50 would to your local charity. I had also thought that donating to orangized charities was better. However, recently, MADD Canada was exposed “that most of the millions MADD raises stays with the paid telemarketers, door knockers and direct mail companies hired by the charity to raise cash.
While MADD insists that 83.6 per cent of donated funds goes to the charity’s programs, the Toronto Star found that it was virtually the reverse, with about 81 per cent of MADD money spent on fundraising and administration.”
After that, I found it hard to trust these big name charities. I now only donate to local hospitals and do my share for the food bank.
By Velius, 1/30/2007 @ 11:47 am
I am sure it is like that elsewhere as well, but a few years back, they did an undercover study about beggars in Houston. It turns out that about 80% of them are all in a “beggar’s union” of sorts and they research which corners are the most profitable. They then put the most skilled beggars at those corners to maximize profit. Each beggar has a quota they have to maintain in order to stay in the union. It’s like organized crime.
By Kabitzin, 1/30/2007 @ 1:08 pm
ORIE strikes again… first the drug dealers and now the beggars!!!!!!
By Ender, 1/30/2007 @ 1:59 pm
So do they have turf wars between rival beggar groups?
By Velius, 1/30/2007 @ 4:43 pm
Well, considering almost all of them are in the same organization, probably not. Although, it is VERY hard to be an independent beggar.
By teahouseblossom, 1/30/2007 @ 10:21 pm
I agree with you. Often I feel like I’m being scammed, but once in a while I’ll see someone I really want to help.