What To Do When Approached by a Homeless Person

We really have little idea what to do when we encounter a homeless individual asking us for money.

It’s especially hard when we’re stopped in our car at an intersection, and out of the corner of our eye we notice a scruffy-looking person holding a sign in our face, “Please Help!”

Out of confusion we entertain choosing one of the following responses:

“I’ll look the other way and pretend not to see him. Maybe the light will change so I won’t make eye contact.”

“I’ll roll down the window and say ‘good morning’. It’s better than ignoring him.”

“I’m going to tell this lazy good-for-nothing to go out and look for a job.”

Honestly, we’d rather stuff a check into an envelope and send it off to a service that aids the homeless.

One major obstacle that prevents us from wanting to personally help the homeless is our suspicious attitude towards them:

•This person’s trying to scam me. Sure, there are people who would take advantage of our compassion. Nevertheless, if we guard ourselves against every person in need, we may end up with hard hearts towards destitute people with legitimate needs.

•This person’s going to use the money to buy drugs or alcohol. Addiction is a problem for many homeless people. Yet even the addict needs to eat and take care of his legitimate human needs.

•This person might be dangerous and harm me. Yes, there are many homeless people who are mentally ill. However, those individuals begging on the side of the road are also taking chances of being hurt by angry motorists. Statistics show the homeless are more the victims of violence than the perpetrators.

It may help if we got a bigger perspective on the homeless issue. We can start by familiarizing ourselves with some heartbreaking statistics compiled by several organizations such as the National Coalition for the Homeless, Homes for the Homeless and the Institute for Children and Poverty:

• Nationally, there are more than 750,000 homeless people on any given night and only 250,000 spaces available in shelters.

• Between 25% and 40% of the homeless population are employed.

• The primary causes of homelessness are domestic violence, lack of affordable housing and poverty.

• More than 1.3 million children are homeless.

• The average age of a person who is homeless in the United States is nine years old.

So what do you do when someone begging for money approaches you?

Experts advise it’s not the wisest choice to offer cash since the money could be used to feed a drug habit.

A better solution is to keep a grocery bag in your car containing items for homeless and hungry people.

Items to include in this bag are:

•Dinty Moore/Hormel meals
•Granola bars and prepackaged trail mix
•Vacuum-sealed bags of tuna
•Travel sized toiletries – soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and washcloth
•Plastic wrapped napkins, forks, knives, salt and pepper
•Bottle of water or juice
•Toilet paper
•A bag of socks– ever wear a single pair for
several days?

Of course, taking this course means you’ll have to engage the homeless person. A simple “God bless you,” as you hand them an item is always a good way to go.

For additional suggestions, check out the justgive.org website and read their article on “Thirty Five Ways to Help the Homeless.”

John
Email: johnsblog@teshmedia.com