How do you help out the less fortunate?

[csandste]

I give to a local charity that has extensive wrap around services and checks with other charities to keep people from double dipping. Also a local food bank (money, not food-- they have a great economy of scale) and various animal welfare organizations. If it's a national charity I always check it out with Charity Navigator, BBB or similar. I find that it's tough finding efficient, well run veterans' welfare organizations-- lots of sloppiness and money wasting there, sadly.

For weeks there was a pan handler with limited English ability pan handling at a local Aldi's. A food pantry was directly across the street, a fact that got explained to her repeatedly by me and others that walked by her. I do not give to street beggars, go through an agency or go hungry.

 

[Alfred_B]

If I'm interpreting the comments correctly, Texas must be full of scammers and cheats. I wonder why.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I pay taxes.

 

[bbhero]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
Drug users and sometimes alcoholics are the ones begging for money in public. You are enabling them and aren't doing them a favor.



I agree 100 percent ^^^^^^^

 

[GoldDot40]

If you want to donate for the feel good of it, can't go wrong with Goodwill or the Salvation Army. The bums on the corner...nah.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Local humane society and the Lion's Club.

 

[bbhero]

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
But for the grace....



I do things...just when the time is right...

One time at the hospital I worked at... As I was walking to the patient's room with their discharge paperwork... The lady and her daughter were talking about getting her a cane... The mother was saying it was at least ten dollars that she did not have... I walked in and did their discharge paperwork... I also got a $20 bill out of my wallet and told her to get what she needed... It was obvious just a candid conversation between the two of them... And I just happened upon hearing it... It was legitimate in my strong opinion.

I gave a lady working at a restaurant a $54 tip on a $46 meal.... Yep. Sure did... Was the right thing to do. She was very good and she could use it more than my lady and I.

Just recently I gave a young lady a $29 tip on a meal that was $70.... I could tell she was rather surprised... In a good way... People who are working... In this circumstances... I do that for them.... They deserve it.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Originally Posted by bbhero
Originally Posted by skyactiv
Drug users and sometimes alcoholics are the ones begging for money in public. You are enabling them and aren't doing them a favor.


I agree 100 percent ^^^^^^^

I never give money but I have bought a bag of value burgers from time to time.. amazingly, I've had people (the guy standing on the corner holding a sign) refuse the food. Guess he wasn't THAT down and out.🤔

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
I pay taxes.

Me too.... unfortunately our taxes get squandered and I see people with fancy cars on government support for life.

No money to feed their kids, but definitely have $$$ to get hair and nails done at beauty shop.

 

[RDY4WAR]

We donate old clothes and stuff to Salvation Army. I refuse to support Goodwill.

 

[Donald]

Look at a charity called Feeding America. You can look up charities on Charity Navigator and they will tell you how much is on administrative costs vs the charity mission.

Feeding America raises money to pay for the logistics of moving/storing food. They get food for free in most cases and they truck it or store it or freeze it so it can get where its needed/

 

[pbm]

Several years ago I was at a highway off ramp when I put a dollar in the cup of a panhandler.....the line of traffic was so long that it took 3 red lights
before I was able to exit the ramp (off the Major Deegan Expressway onto Fordham Road in the Bronx, NY) . My daughter, who was a child at the time, commented that about 20 people gave money to the panhandler in the 15 minutes that it took to exit the ramp. I then realized that this guy had NO INCENTIVE to seek gainful employment.....and I stopped 'donating' to panhandler's ever since....

Our charities of choice are 'St.Judes Children's Reseach Hospital' and some local animal shelters.

 

[Smokescreen]

I work in the humanitarian sector and organize providing food for the less fortunate.

My religious affiliation has a way to qualify those who legitimately need assistance and it is very effective aimed at only those who will to be self reliant. I am paid a modest wage from a separate department that is segregated from the humanitarian division. As a result, 100% of donations made to the program are put to providing the food. I also contribute to the food fund.

While I can see the reason for many of the jaded responses as there are a great many who abuse the welfare system in general, there are those that legitimately need help due to circumstances beyond their control. Helping those people can be a very rewarding experience. I have been in this line of work for 10 years + (after being in the tech sector for 12 years) and plan to continue until I am unable even if it means as a volunteer.

 

[229]

Charity = Love in action

 

[wings&wheels]

I am very selective with the charities I donate to, researching their finances and spending, particularly overhead and salaries, with the Jimmy Fund and PMC and similar being what I consider good.

I also do the occasional Angel Flight and we lend our aircraft for them.

While it isn't necessarily charity, I tend to tip very well for good service at manual, lower wage jobs. I prefer to reward those who are working to support themselves or their way to a better life, especially when they are working hard to do so. I started from a very humble and disadvantaged situation, worked those jobs and empathize with those who do them, and do them well.

 

[ragtoplvr]

I contribute to a non-denominational food bank and kitchen.

I do salvation army too, they are pretty efficient with their money locally

Never red cross or big charities.

 

[Srt20]

Once years ago when I was on a date, we were approached by a woman asking for monetary help. She didn't look like a druggy or a drunk. I gave her $5 to "help" her.

But lets be real here, I gave her the $5 to help my chances at getting some action later that night on my date. It worked!

Im married (not to that date) with kids now, so my wife donates our old clothes and stuff to local church second hand store.

 

[wings&wheels]

Originally Posted by Srt20
Once years ago when I was on a date, we were approached by a woman asking for monetary help. She didn't look like a druggy or a drunk. I gave her $5 to "help" her.

But lets be real here, I gave her the $5 to help my chances at getting some action later that night on my date. It worked!

Did the same thing in Boston back in '85 or so....you had a better result.

 

[camryrolla]

I don't ever give peddlers any money as they could use it to buy drugs or booze. I would buy a gift certificate for McDonald or Burger King and hand it to them.

 

[BrianF]

I work extremely hard and pay my taxes. Our socialist government then divides that money up for them. I am very self centered as my family comes first.

I am firm but fair, while I do not donate to food drives, homeless shelters etc I do by the odd rubbie dub a coffee.