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Authors, sign in!Conventional wisdom says, "Don't give money to panhandlers." As a matter of fact, there is an ordinance against begging on the streets of our city.
While I understand the logic behind the rule, I also know that this is a case where "one size fits all" just doesn't apply.
My latest example happened early one morning last week. I stopped by Starbucks on my way to a meeting Downtown. There on the sidewalk, positioned at one corner of the store so as not to block the entrance, was a man seated in a wheelchair. One leg had been partially amputated.
As I entered the store, he called out to me, "Good morning, my man! Could you spare a little change for an old man?" His smile was wide, infectious and compelling.
"I'll try to catch on the backside, friend," I called back.
"Sure thing, friend," he replied.
When I came out with my coffee, I walked over to him.
"Where do you stay?" I asked.
"Well, I was homeless, but I've got me my apartment now!" he informed me with pride. "My place is just right over here," he explained, pointing down Gaston Avenue.
"What about your SSI," I asked, wondering if this obviously disabled man had worked out the benefits he could access.
"Yes! I've got that all set up as well," he beamed up at me.
He patted the arm of his rather well-worn motorized wheelchair.
"They told me that it would take me a long time to get one of these chairs with a motor. I'd been trying to get one for a while. But, you know, a lady came by right here and just gave me his one! I didn't have to wait, she just brought it to me," he volunteered about his form of basic transportation.
I handed him my contribution to his cause. He thanked me. We shook hands and I went on my way.
As I left, I heard him calling out to a little girl, just barely 1-year-old, walking up the sidewalk with her mother. They stopped to talk to him. He didn't ask them for anything, he just greeted them and wished them well.
Later in the week, as I drove by that same spot on my way up Gaston Avenue, I spotted my friend again, rolling along in his gift chair on his way to Starbucks, I expect.
For him, it was his work. It occurred to me that the gentleman is the unofficial greeter there! And, clearly, no one in the store enforced the ordinance.
Of course, I don't know this man's budget, nor do I know his entire story or situation. But I can imagine a situation in which he has his housing covered, but not quite all of his living expenses, including food, utilities and transportation. He's got to find a way to make the ends meet.
Maybe I'm not supposed to, but I expect I'll give him my "pocket change" again, if he asks me. After all, he is a member of my neighborhood.
What do you think?
Published July 12, 2009 by Larry James |
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| Tags:
Charity
Community
Compassion
Disability
Homelessness
Poverty
Public Policy
Comments (2)
Giving money or other assistance to people that seem to be in need, is a practice as old as society itself. While there are people who take advantage of good Samaritans, even if this man, is receiving SSI, he might need help to, “make the ends meet”. In Texas, SSI pays recipients up to $494 a month plus medical benefits under the state-administered Medicaid program. It is possible that your “greeter” receives, in addition to SSI, rent and utility subsidies and food stamps, (up to $176 per month). This man is not getting rich!
Giving to a man, with an obvious disability is not that big of a decision for me. The decision becomes more complicated when confronted with people that do not have apparent disabilities. There are many people without noticeable impediments that need help also, and I rely on my “feelings” when deciding to give or not, to these people.
Our religious and societal norms encourage generosity, especially to the needy, and when I am generous, I feel good about myself. The trick for me, is to separate the opportunist from the needy. My tendency is to err on behalf of generosity, and because, I have so much, giving is my default mode. Because of this, people have taken advantage of my good nature, and they will take advantage of me again.
Your greeter may have a Lexus and own his own condo. His “begging” may be a scam that brings in hundreds of dollars a day. If so, you have been snookered, and he has, “taken advantage of you”. It is no big deal, and it will happen again. If we are to be loving, giving people, we will be vulnerable to the scams and schemes of the takers of the world. My reward comes from the giving and is independent of the true need of the supplicant. I am responsible for my choices and my actions but not the outcome. I cannot control the behavior of others. I can barely control my own behavior.
Keep giving Larry. It is the right thing to do.
Peace,
Lee
Posted by Breezylee
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July 13, 2009 10:18 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 10:18
Great post, Larry. And good point Lee. When I used to go to a Universalist Unitarian Church, I asked about this very issue. I worry not so much about being snookered, and more about whether this homeless person asking me for money may be alcoholic. Someone gave me the suggestion that I hand out gift cards to a fast food restaurant instead. So when I go to San Francisco or someplace where I know I'll encounter a homeless person asking for change, I have a $5 McDonalds gift card ready to hand out. I don't know if this is the best thing, but it seems like a good alternative.
I agree with Lee that it's too difficult to judge who is worthy and who is not worthy for charity. Larry, you're showing a generous and nonjudgemental heart.
Angelo
Posted by Angelo Lopez
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July 13, 2009 7:18 PM
Posted on July 13, 2009 19:18