Do you give money to pan handlers/beggars?

What does a mental issue have to do with a charitable act, not a damn thing!

 

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nevius/article/Hope-for-street-inebriates-or-roadblock-4038947.php

regarding on going efforts in San Francisco...

 

A charitable act that supports addressing the core issue is fine - supporting Habitat for Humanity makes a world-more sense to me than giving a guy $5. But I believe giving houses away isn't going to get many folks off the streets. So what would be the point of doing that? I'd much-rather fund an effort to subsidize psychotic drugs and bolster the mental health industry, and perhaps support institutions that can house and directly treat the folks who present a real danger to themselves and society. We USED to do this, up until the 1970s.....and we wonder why the numbers of the homeless increased since then?

 

It's a crazy mixed up world Mr.James. I guess my point is, I believe I mentioned this before, is that I do not fret over simple acts of kindness and a few measely dollars.

 

so what are YOU actually doing? a lot of the posters talk about what not to do or what should be done in the theoretical. at least texasmr2 lays it out there...

 

Michael was just expressing his opinion and I took no offense, no worries.

They put up with me so I cannot complain.

 

if they seem like a decent person, why not buy them something to eat; or drink if they need it! everyone falls on rough times

 

Agree....

 

No, I work way to hard for my money. I give to charities that I research and know where the money goes.

 

a dollar here, a dollar there; it all adds up and pretty soon you're talkin' real money.

 

HELL no...I hit THEM up for money...

 

hey, we need some of you to get off your lazy butts and subscribe so we can have you venture into P&R. You guys crack me up. Rob needs to feed his family too.

 

We venture into Lawrence KS quite a bit and sometimes I look like some of these same people we are talking about after working on the farm all day. Lawrence is a well known haven for people who enjoy an alternative lifestyle and homelessness fits in that category. The big problem now is that, due to limited resources, the city and county are having difficulty serving the homeless who just drift through when its warm versus the chronic year-round homeless and mental disorder victims who sleep in doorways when it is 10 degrees.

I help out when we feel it is appropriate, especially for those who are chronically impaired in some way versus someone just passing by while they follow their favorite band.

 

Not to slightly derail this thread but do you know anyone personally with any of the maladies you listed above? Or is this more of a Monday morning quarterback opinion?

You've lumped bipolar disorder in with severe schizophrenia, with dementia?

The continuing demonetization of bipolar disorder is distressing. It is generally manageable with the correct medications, and if unmedicated, does not induce paranoia, delusions, or other severe psychotic conditions.

If unmedicated it can be debilitating, no question. But bipolar disorder generally doesn't make someone dangerous to those around him.

I have quite a bit of first hand knowledge of bipolar disorder, and I can tell you that it's not a scary disease, but it is a difficult one,and hard to diagnose. It can be a very difficult disease, but I've never met someone who is bipolar that frightened me because of their disorder. I can not say the same for someone with dementia or unmedicated schizophrenia.

As to the original question? I give to the 2nd Mile Center in Philadelphia. They help the homeless here in Philly, and my wife travels into the city with her Bible study group with blankets and other items that they distribute to the homeless. I do not, generally, give money directly to a homeless person.

D

 

Yes, I do....depression takes MANY forms, and some of them are quite debilitating. Ever spend time with an unmedicated, advanced Bipolar? One minute they're happy, the next minute they could be throwing punches and screaming. Some are suicidal, many are self destructive - it is not some garden-variety "I've got the blues" situation. Their mental condition can become a gateway to heavy use alcohol and illegal drugs instead of REAL psychotic medication to quell their disorder. Sure, there's medication for this - there are a variety of cocktails to treat the disorder, some work better than others depending on an individual's chemistry. Not all of the cocktails are 'cheap', and a varying-degree of effectiveness usually means Bipolars are having to adjust their medications and doses regularly to 'keep steady'.

 

I got out yesterday to enjoy the beautiful weather and a lady walked up to us trying to sell baked goods such a banana bread. She was soliciting donations for an addiction facility but at $8 per loaf I had to decline but I did give her a $2 donation. The friend two friends I was sitting with said they are legit so I felt comfortable with the donation.