I’m one of those guys who don’t give to beggars because I prefer to give through non-profits, which I do monthly. I prefer this anonymous kind of donation. I probably give more than those people who sometimes through a few dollars. So please consider this possibility too when you judge those people.
So, please please please don’t think that I’m poo pooing your choice. All help is valid and appreciated. But, a lot of those charities have overhead that they have to pay for. I can honestly say that in my over 10 years of being an addict and homeless. I may have received help from a charity like 5 times, and every time it was like toothpaste and socks. Which is better than nothing. But that’s why I choose to give the way I do. Just be sure to research who you’re giving money to if it’s a charity.
Also, and this is me personally. I never judged someone for not giving money. I only judged the way that they looked at me. Those micro aggressions that say things like pity, disgust, or even I’m so sorry, or I wish I could help without saying a word. If I asked and someone said I just don’t have it to give. That was totally fine. Hell, I don’t always have it to give. After all, we have to take care of ourselves first. Otherwise we can never help those in need.
was discussing this the other day with a person asking for help; I don’t know they were homeless but assume the situation and their state I’d highly doubt they had anything. The problem is that I get paid electronically and pay for damn near everything electronically and only touch cash every other month if that, and usually have to pay a fee to get cash.
I’d buy them a meal, hell, I’ll even buy a beer for some of the people I see frequently going in to the quicky mart, but I don’t cash. I also try to do my puny ‘philanthropy’ via community service and direct donations to planned parenthood (they will always get whatever rare few bucks I can spare).
a cashless economy is putting an even larger hit on these folk I imagine.
Yes, any organisation has overhead that grows with its size. But it is also necessary to help on a bigger scale and have more impact, for example by being able to open a restaurant for the homeless and reducing costs by buying and cooking in bulk. Also I’m in the EU so charities are probably better regulated than in the USA, they get government labels to allow for tax reduction so you know there’s some public utility control.
I’m not against judging, that’s natural, people who pretend not to, lie. I just wanted to add this idea to refine the judgement.
Oh, yeah that makes sense. Yeah, here in the states a whole lot of charities (even big ones) are little more than scams. It sucks because a lot of money goes into those charities and not a lot of that money is spent helping. Also, the US is HUGE. So, you might live in Alabama, and donate to a charity. But that charity mainly works in places like New York, and San Francisco, and Los Angeles all of which are several days drive from Alabama. So, if someone wants to help in the states, but go through a charity. I suggest volunteering time at a local place, or something like that. Otherwise, there is no way to tell where you’re money went, and there is very little accountability.
I’m one of those guys who don’t give to beggars because I prefer to give through non-profits, which I do monthly. I prefer this anonymous kind of donation. I probably give more than those people who sometimes through a few dollars. So please consider this possibility too when you judge those people.
So, please please please don’t think that I’m poo pooing your choice. All help is valid and appreciated. But, a lot of those charities have overhead that they have to pay for. I can honestly say that in my over 10 years of being an addict and homeless. I may have received help from a charity like 5 times, and every time it was like toothpaste and socks. Which is better than nothing. But that’s why I choose to give the way I do. Just be sure to research who you’re giving money to if it’s a charity.
Also, and this is me personally. I never judged someone for not giving money. I only judged the way that they looked at me. Those micro aggressions that say things like pity, disgust, or even I’m so sorry, or I wish I could help without saying a word. If I asked and someone said I just don’t have it to give. That was totally fine. Hell, I don’t always have it to give. After all, we have to take care of ourselves first. Otherwise we can never help those in need.
was discussing this the other day with a person asking for help; I don’t know they were homeless but assume the situation and their state I’d highly doubt they had anything. The problem is that I get paid electronically and pay for damn near everything electronically and only touch cash every other month if that, and usually have to pay a fee to get cash.
I’d buy them a meal, hell, I’ll even buy a beer for some of the people I see frequently going in to the quicky mart, but I don’t cash. I also try to do my puny ‘philanthropy’ via community service and direct donations to planned parenthood (they will always get whatever rare few bucks I can spare).
a cashless economy is putting an even larger hit on these folk I imagine.
Yes, any organisation has overhead that grows with its size. But it is also necessary to help on a bigger scale and have more impact, for example by being able to open a restaurant for the homeless and reducing costs by buying and cooking in bulk. Also I’m in the EU so charities are probably better regulated than in the USA, they get government labels to allow for tax reduction so you know there’s some public utility control.
I’m not against judging, that’s natural, people who pretend not to, lie. I just wanted to add this idea to refine the judgement.
Oh, yeah that makes sense. Yeah, here in the states a whole lot of charities (even big ones) are little more than scams. It sucks because a lot of money goes into those charities and not a lot of that money is spent helping. Also, the US is HUGE. So, you might live in Alabama, and donate to a charity. But that charity mainly works in places like New York, and San Francisco, and Los Angeles all of which are several days drive from Alabama. So, if someone wants to help in the states, but go through a charity. I suggest volunteering time at a local place, or something like that. Otherwise, there is no way to tell where you’re money went, and there is very little accountability.