Years ago, when I was doing a big consulting job in Pasadena, I went to the nearest market to get groceries. A guy hit me up for money on the way in. Sorry, I didn't need my money going into his arm or to the nearest liquor store. So in the market, I buy some extra fruit, bag it separately, and give it to him on the way out of the store. He turned it down, refused it, wouldn't take it. He was nice about it and did say thanks for the thought. I'd forgotten all about that until this thread reminded me. I have to say that 95% of the time, the homeless people act like I gave them the Hope Diamond when I've bought them a hamburger or whatever. If you live in an area with homeless people panhandling for their next meal, fix, or drink, it's a nice idea to carry books of food certificate books, like from McDonald's, etc. They can use it for food. Carol----------------------------------------------- RESPONSE: When I lived in downtown Detroit for a couple of years I learned to also give food coupons instead of cash to many of the homeless who hit on you for spare change. If they took the coupons you knew it went to good use, if they declined they wanted money for booze. downstairs from where I lived and also less than half block from the famous corner of Michigan & Trumbull ball park Tiger Stadium. I've seen my share of baseball fans feeling sorry for these street people giving them dollar bills only to have them come in the store afterwards buying Mad Dog, Canadian beer, & canned heat. Only a very few came in and bought food which was the cheapest in the area.
