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You will quickly learn that many of those panhandling in urban areas will not take you up on the offer for a mean. They want the dollars for their habit. Happ
by jmspring 11y ago
You will quickly learn that many of those panhandling in urban areas will not take you up on the offer for a mean. They want the dollars for their habit. Happens all the time here in Santa Cruz. Offer leftovers, no. Offer to buy food, no.
In the discussion around homelessness, there are individuals that are on a self-destructive path involving drugs and until they want to change, they won't. The catalyst will vary, but often requires hitting rock bottom.
- hackuser 11y agoI hear this story a lot but it has never been my experience; I've provided many meals to people who've wanted them (I can't say they were homeless, but it looked that way), and I've been asked for more. Could you provide any data or research to back it up? I'm concerned because so many myths, such as the 'welfare queen', are spread to undermine social welfare programs and, at the same time, cynically denigrate the weakest in our society. (I understand that might not be your intent, and you could simply be reporting what you've seen.)
- groby_b 11y agoOdd. I hear a lot of people claiming this. And yet I've never seen a homeless person in L.A. turn down food. They're so grateful for it, it makes you feel ashamed that it actually didn't matter to you to give that food. I'm curious: Is that personal experience, or are you stating something friends told you?
- jmspring 11y agoIt is something I've personally experienced here in Santa Cruz. Maybe other places, it is different. But, downtown as well as a regular crew along Ocean St as you come into town, happens with regularity.