I am a little late but once I swung by the drive through to get someone a hot meal and handed it to them and they set it on the ground and held the sign back up.
I would never give them money, but I would give them other things, I guess next time I will get a gift card, lol.

I feel sorry for them and want to give them a hot meal, I never assume addict.
We had a lady hanging out in a snow bank by our house with her dog. The police could not get her to go with them, it seemed like she feared for her dog, so they cuddled back up in the snow bank. This was a day when it was 30 below.

If I didn't have DD I would have offered her a night at my house with her dog. It seemed like someone must have because my neighbor brought her somewhere.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Rice:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Lady GooGoo™:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting ... [snip!] ... not comfortable handing money over still, I know it may not be fair that one smurf burned all of them but it really jaded me."</blockquote>


I can totally understand that, and if theyre genuine about needing help, they should appreciate whatever they get. I feel weird about giving straight money also. But if i have a few bucks i will give it to them

<blockquote><b>Quoting Jennybananna:</b>" They made choices that put them in that situation. Yes I know there are exceptions and sometimes people ... [snip!] ... on is none of my business. The poll asked what we thought and I was very honest in my reply as to what my first thought was. "</blockquote>




They made the choice to be homeless? You are just astounding me withbyour crazy statements.

Quoting ℳonster's ℳom:" Honestly I just hope they don't walk up to me. I am always with my daughter and have pretty bad anxiety ... [snip!] ... her, but just in general. I've had a few bad experiences with homeless people that have made me very wary to trust them."

I have to say the few times I've been to Cali I thought your homeless population was a tad scary frankly. You seem to have more mentally unstable homeless people in a way I haven't seen elsewhere & I have been a LOT of places. The only place I've been with equally scary homeless was a bad part of Amsterdam & I wasn't sure they were homeless....but scary still. I have been to Detroit a lot & the homeless people there are high in number but not nearly as strange acting as in Cali. Where I live there relaly is no homeless...seriously. There are people who look homeless, but most of us know their names & I have even known where a few of them lived. We have great social programs here & you can get a really nice small apartment here (if totally unemployed & no income or assets) for $25 a month that included utilities & I mean clean, no one is going to break in your place, you don't have to be scared to step outside at night if you want a cigarette, etc. My BFF lives in Cali - near LA & we laugh all the time that if it got out how "good" it was to be homeless where I live, they'd all come running. If you are homeless here you get shortlisted for emergency housing.

Quoting Jude ♥ JGL:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Jennybananna:</b>" They made choices that put them in that situation. ... [snip!] ... was. "</blockquote> They made the choice to be homeless? You are just astounding me withbyour crazy statements."

No they made choices that caused them to become criminals which then may have lead to them being homeless. Read the quote I quoted in that post.

I really don't see any homeless people where I live now, but back home there are a lot of them. I don't really lump them all into one category, but there have been a few that I've assumed to be drug addicts. No matter what I think it still doesn't stop me from giving them money or helping them out if I can.

Quoting Jennybananna:" No they made choices that caused them to become criminals which then may have lead to them being homeless. Read the quote I quoted in that post."

Regardless, it's called a PAST for a reason.
Many people are judged for having offenses that are YEARS old. It keeps people who genuinely want to change their lives from being able to do so.

Meh, I don't want to bomb the thread. I just wanted to point out that McDonald's doesn't just hire anybody anymore and it's really unfair to assume that just anyone can walk in and get a job there. I know peopke who would give a limb to be able to work there, just to have a job. Myself included.

Quoting Rabbit™:" Regardless, it's called a PAST for a reason. Many people are judged for having offenses that are YEARS ... [snip!] ... walk in and get a job there. I know peopke who would give a limb to be able to work there, just to have a job. Myself included."

I never said I was making a blanket statement. I know there are exceptions to the rule and the McDonalds wasnt as literal as you're taking it. I didnt say I wouldn't or didn't help people just what my initial thought it. I have had numerous bad experiences with the homeless so call me jaded. I get people have a past and it can come back to haunt them its life and it sucks. Im entitled to my personal thoughts about it. Even homeless drug addicts need help.

I usually get the urge to take them home for a hot meal and shower and comfortable bed.

I bring them water and some food or a little cash if I have it instead.

I keep "Blessing bags" in my car. They are like quart sized zip lock bags filled with stuff. I try to put a small $ amount gift card to a grocery store in them, some snacks, a water bottle, some hygiene stuff, etc. We have a lot of scam artists out here, it's really sad. So, I've started to hand these out. I've had people be incredibly thankful, and I've had people take a look at them and tell me that is not what they want. *shrugs* One guy was awesome. I gave it to him and we talked while I was at the stop light. I found out his wife and son's name and offered to pray for them/etc. I saw him several more times. I'd swing in and get him lunch, or whatever when I saw him. His name was Tim. He was always shocked that I remembered him. I think sometimes human contact, being acknowledged & treated with respect is the best thing you can do.

Quoting DaniE :" just curious what everyones view is on the homeless! u dont have to comment but atleast vote on the poll!"

Generally guilty that Im not in a postion to help,i always gove change if i can and wish i could do more, no one deserves to live like that

I didn't click one as my answer is "both.,
I wonder if they have a drug problem or are mentally ill or both. And, I want to help with their needs.

I don't think anything beyond "They're homeless."

I feel horrible for them and always try and give them a little money if I can.
I don't assume they're drug addicts, or anything of the sort.

That I want to help them. I keep cards in my car that I made, it has a Bible verse on them and then I buy MCdonalds cards in bulk and give them a mcdonalds gift card with it. I don't have alot of money but I try to help how I can.. and hopefully I can help them atleast get something to eat. There are so many I see when driving where I live...It breaks my heart. I just want to help. I don't care if they are a drug addict or not..I had a family member who was a drug addict and homeless.. they need food too.