Question:
I know that everyone has seen those people standng on street corners holding signs that read " Will work for food". My question is have you ever helped them out or would you if you has the opportunity? I think that I would because they can't always help being in that situation and have families that they have to take care of. If you have to spare then why not do it? It may even save their lifes! You never know unless you try to help. Wouldn't you want help if you were in that same situation. I'm sure that it has to be humiliating to be reduced to such measures as begging for help.My question is have you ever helped them out or would you if you has the opportunity?

Choices:
Yes, without a doubt.
Maybe.
No, they are just bums looking for money for alochol and drugs.
It's their own fault, they should fend for themselfs.

 

Giving people something they havent earned dosent help them. They must be self-reliant and if they want food or money they should work for it.

Yeah, giving food instead of money to the "homeless" is a much better way of helping out. then, they can't spend the money on drugs; and if they really are in need of help, then - voila!- you just helped by giving them a meal. =)

Besides, it's safer for a person to give out food instead of money; if you give that person money, sometimes they won't leave you alone, or they may try to rob you.

Give with a pure heart, not a naive one.

bella:

lol. Yeah, I've actually been here for a little bit mroe than a year, but have been very busy (in other words, not addicted like I am now. lol) up until now-ish...not a real word, but who cares.

Hey, by the way, how do you get a picture under your name?

I keep trying, but end up with this: look above

quote:

I'm a volunteer junkie and i need an outlet or some way or something to volunteer or fundraise for, but i can't find ANYTHING! i live in a small town so...

In think in situations like that, you have to start small and then proceed to the bigger opportunities... Like, you can start in school, like volunteering to help out in school stuff or you can volunteer to tutor children or your other classmates who are having a hard time catching up. I think that volunteering doesn't mean it has to be a BIG project.... I mean, hey, you can always volunteer to babysit or to help around the house!! LOL.... It doesn't matter for what cause as long as it is a good cause and as long as you have helped someone. THAT is what counts.

quote:

when i am in chicago or denver i know there are homeless people who sell these community newspapers which i think is a good step toward getting these people jobs and off the street. they are usually inexpensive (ie one dollar or something) i try to buy one when i get a chance because i think it is a good program.

That is really nice!!

quote:

Anyhoo, thanks a bunch voice. And welcome to youthNOISE!

Lol Bella Voice actually started before you.

But anyways you guys could talk to some teachers about finding charities and such. I asked a teacher and he gave me a list of places. You could also see a church leader about volunteering.

Thanks VOice. My parents are completely paranoid about that kind of thing too. It's hard to truly express yourself in a small place, because if you do somethinhg different, you're basically shunned by the community, so it's kind of tricky. On the safe side, i'm thinking something with community service or volunteering or fundraising...but i need some CAUSES!

Anyhoo, thanks a bunch voice. And welcome to youthNOISE!

bella123:

Hey! I'm in the same position but for a different reason. My parents are sure that anything I get involved with will eventually lead to me being stolen, raped and ugtted out like a deer with my head chopped off.

I know. I feel so loved.

Anyways, I've found that the best way to do charity is try to get your school involved (like, my hsitory teacher is an EXTREME activist) so your folks are more likely to trust.

OR

Another great way is marching. It's nothing complicated and you can be like "It'd be a great family outing!" but still talk some friends into "surprising" you by meeting up there so you don't have to feel trapped.

If anybody has any other suggestions, PLEASE fill me in!

Yeah. Its a great feeling.

I'm a volunteer junkie and i need an outlet or some way or something to volunteer or fundraise for, but i can't find ANYTHING! i live in a small town so...

Any ideas? or websites? I'm desperate.

when i am in chicago or denver i know there are homeless people who sell these community newspapers which i think is a good step toward getting these people jobs and off the street. they are usually inexpensive (ie one dollar or something) i try to buy one when i get a chance because i think it is a good program.

quote:

I have always given money or even food to someone when needed.

Me too!! I have always been generous to streetchildren.

quote:

Helping people always makes me feel good.

Me too... Although, I don't know now... I mean, these days, people are warding off my help as if it was just nothing.... But yeah, helping others does make me feel good.

quote:

I don't want to rain on anyones parade, but not all of those people begging for money on the streets are homeless.

Noone ever said that they were all homeless. And no not all need help but I do feel that the majority of them probably do. I'd hate to be in thir shoes and have to beg people for food just to be able to survive. Many of them have kids that they need to take care of and feed. I feel horrible for these kids that go to school with hardly anything. Barely any clothes on their backs, barely a roof over their head and barely any food in their stomachs. They often get teased because the clothes on their backs are old,torn and too small for them. Teased because they have no running water to bathe properly. Teased because they don't have the newest coolest trends. Embarrassed because they can't invite friends over, even if they had any. Embarrassed because they can't join in the holiday story telling of all the goodies that they had. Many people do all that they can to try to provide for their families and still come up short. I feel so horrible for these people and just discussing this now is bringing tears to my eyes. Life can be so horrible for some. Some people would do anything just to to try to support their families and see to it that they aren't going without. I have always given money or even food to someone when needed. Giving food freshly bought from the store ( or any food) would be the best, that way you know that they are getting food and arent wasting your money. Helping people always makes me feel good.

I don't want to rain on anyones parade, but not all of those people begging for money on the streets are homeless. Not all of them are honestly needing help. So to be perfectly honest I don't know what i'd do. I would feel bad if I was ignoring someone who needed my help, but I don't want to give my hard earned money to someone who will buy alochol and drugs.And that is only hurting that person more. So don't know. I give to organized groups asking for money, because I feel more certain I know where it goes. Some people might argue back saying "how do you know that the organization is honest too?" And you're right. So why wouldn't I trust people on the street as well? good question. Because most of Americans get a little uncomfortable when they see those people with signs on street corners. I feel that way. I feel like if I look directally at them, something will happen. So, what I think I'll start doing is giving them food. That way, if they really need help, a free meal is always welcome and if they are trying to get money for drugs, they get a free meal too, and can't spend the money for drugs cause it's in the form of a hamburger or something.

I would help them!! Of course! I love helping people in times of need... but sadly, our government here in the Philippinesis preventing us to help them or give money because they fear the beggars would just spend them on drugs and such and that could pose as a real problem. But sometimes, i do help out still. i give to poor streetchildren and hope that they wont spend it on drugs. Sometimes, we would give some old toys or old clothes to some people who need it. We have visited Mother Teresa's sister's (other nuns in her organization) here in the Philippines several years ago.. it was beautiful and we donated some money. i hope that government officials all over the world would try to solve this problem. Putting them in orphanages is better than out in the streets where they could easily be harmed or hurt.

Hmmm.... the beggars here don't hold signs saying that, in any case, if they did, I think I'd give them something.