Regrets
Every now and then I fall off the healthy eating wagon and need to be a bad girl. When I was having my broken arm pity party months back I went to a Fried Chicken place that I saw advertise a decent price meal. Drove through the drive through, then passed a woman begger with a sign. I am adamant about NOT giving money but I try to give food, water or hygiene products. I just figured the sign was to get money so didn't pay much attention.I didn't stop and continued home but just as I passed the lady begger it dawned on me the sign had one word on it which was "Hungary". I thought about turning around just to give her a piece of chicken but I didn't.
Lawdy lawdy me not giving that piece has haunted me like crazy. I've never gone back to get chicken but I have driven through that plaza looking for her not to see her again. Who knows if she was really hungry but I don't care I have no problem feeding a hungry person without judgement I just won't give money because I'm not trusting and won't enable a drug or drinking habit.
Comments (6)
There are many people that have fallen on hard times in life for many reasons. I do it because I hope that if I was in that position that there were good people that would help me too.
One day I was trying to pick up a large item from a store and I was grateful to the member of staff that helped me. What followed was it was difficult to put the item in my car, even for the two of us. A man who had been sat outside a store came and helped. He unpacked it and struggled with us. Now he looked like a beggar. As we were working it out. We began to talk. He was homeless and everyday day he walked miles to a pick up point. Where he was collected to go to work. That day they hadn't turned up..
He had fallen on hard times. He wasn't a druggie. He was sober as a judge. He asked for nothing and I thanked him for his help. He said you are welcome and I couldn't watch you struggle.
As I went to drive off he went to help someone else. Now, if he had been picked up that day.. he'd of earned a wage. So I stopped and gave him all my loose change. He said thank you and I watched. He went and brought a cup of coffee.
I guess we can all assume why but unless we talk to the person we never really do know why and in his case. He fell apart after his divorce and lost his kids.
I'm just not a trusting person. However someone that came & helped me like they did you, if I heard they were looking for work, I would have given him some cash.
I tend to watch and ask. I grabbed a couple of days away this week and there were a lot of people begging. I can't give to all that is for sure. I am just not in that position to do that. There was a lady. Now I watched.. I didn't help maybe bad of me. But, if she can get a packet of smokes out of her pocket. Then she doesn't need my help so much. Whereas someone else perhaps would.
I know there certainly isn't enough shelters and also recognise some people wouldn't try for one reason or another. But if I can see, I try. It can be a tough call to make. But I think sometimes and I am guilty of it as a human we assume from negatives.
But like you I would rather go buy food or a cup of coffee than give money.
Well one day they were caught on video seen walking back to a vehicle changing out of the ragged clothing that they had on.
I don't like being mean but now whenever I see someone holding signs claiming that they are homeless and need food I refuse to help them.
But I donate to United Way and I know where my help is going to. Besides it is a tax write off.
But, if she can get a packet of smokes out of her pocket. Then she doesn't need my help so much.
I feel the same way and am shocked at how many people with signs needing help are smoking.
Bear - I saw a documentary too on pan handlers living in nice house, pan handling is tax free money for most. I give my time, food and misc but I don't give money except to organization I work with or to ones that sponsor education or children like orphanages.
Thank you Lindsey, I won't miss a sign saying "hungry" again, that's for sure.