Earlier this week, an acquaintance told me he once got hogdog-robbed. A vagabond ran away with my friend's hotdog while my friend was strolling down the street. The topic came up because we were waiting for our hotdogs. It was supposed to be a funny story but it made me sad. To take such a high risk for something as small as a hotdog, the vagabond must be really hungry.
Last Friday, I walked past a panhandler. He looked at me and extended his hand. I kept walking. 10 minutes later, after I had grabbed the stuff I needed from my car, I headed back towards where I came from. As I walked past the same panhandler, I saw another passerby in front of him. He gave the panhandler a box of leftover salad, and the panhandler accepted the remnants with a 'thank you'. By the time the scene registered in my head, I was about 50 meters away. I stopped, processed the situation, and walked back towards the panhandler. He must be hungry. I gave him $5.
My reservation with panhandlers has always been, "how would they use the money?"
It's very difficult. I know many of them, spend money on alcohol, cigarettes or perhaps even drugs. But, they need to eat too.
I've always struggled with panhandlers, to give or not to give. I do know, the ultimate solution, needs to be a systematic one. Giving them money, really, will not help them in the long run. Regardless, in the meantime, these panhandlers need to be fed.
Early August, during the Civic Holiday long weekend, I was approached by another stranger at a gas station. His car ran out of gas, and he needed money to buy gas. I shook my head. I said no for one simple reason, he looked like a crackhead. I watched him approach three more people. He repeated his ask, and everyone, said no. I started to feel bad. I hesitated. I couldn't quite pinpoint why, but I drove off regardless.
I thought about it more in the car. I tried to put myself in his shoes. Yes I know it's a far stretch. I simply cannot fathom having to beg for money. How it would absolutely crush my self-esteem. I cannot imagine having to go through what this gas-station man went through.
Perhaps, giving him a couple of dollars, would have been worthwhile afterall. Just to salvage whatever is left of his dignity.
Yesterday, at a Wal-Mart parking lot, a woman came up to me. She needed $10 because her car broke down and the tow truck company was charging her an arm and a leg. I thought back to my experience with the gas-station man, and I gave her $10. I decided, her dignity, was worth more than $10. Truth or not.
I have no doubt, at times, I would be conned. But, pocket change here and there, ultimately, will not hurt me, but for some people, it might actually make a difference. I can't do this for every panhandler I meet, or I'd be broke. But if he/she touches my heart, or feeds thoughts into my useless head, I will do something. I guess that's my guideline.
Sometimes, these panhandlers do use the money to buy food. Sometimes, we need to stop rationalizing why we shouldn't give. Sometimes, your spare change, can make a difference.
Here's an interesting read from Toronto Star
How Panhandlers Use Free Credit Cards
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