Comments on: Making An Exception

By: teahouseblossom

teahouseblossom — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:21:46 +0000

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.

By: Velius

Velius — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:43:40 +0000

Well, considering almost all of them are in the same organization, probably not. Although, it is VERY hard to be an independent beggar.

By: Ender

Ender — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:59:42 +0000

So do they have turf wars between rival beggar groups?

By: Kabitzin

Kabitzin — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:08:43 +0000

ORIE strikes again… first the drug dealers and now the beggars!!!!!!

By: Velius

Velius — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:47:25 +0000

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: Tochi

Tochi — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 03:03:22 +0000

/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.