I've heard of this too. Including some saying that you are trying to poison them.
CRIME The New Gypsy Homeless Scam Taking the U.S. By Storm
- Thread starter Cardinal
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I've heard of this too. Including some saying that you are trying to poison them.
How would you feel if you found out your generosity bought the "hot shot" that killed the guy? It happens, more than you know.
This is an area where I must depend on the Holy Spirit. At the moment, I've had my eye on a guy who has been posting himself at the WalMart driveway...has a sign saying he's looking for work, "but anything will help". I smile and wave at him every time, and I finally felt led to buy a $20 Walmart gift card I wanted to give him...but I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks. I'll contact someone I know in the police department and see what they know.
Ive been blessed with a pretty well calibrated bullsh!t meter...I use it, along with prayer in those area.
The government already has redistributed too much pf our money to the NON Deserving, and the downright evil. I figure i can take a bit of time and prayer to ensure I don't add to the problem.
Summerthyme
West
Senior
In the mid 80s I lived in some privately owned apartments near Clinton and Blackstone in Fresno Ca. The rent was cheap and the Southern Pacific RR. Tracks was not 50 yards away, and always on time.
Learned alot about the lowest of the low. From the 6'5" herion addict who tried to sell me the radio he just jacked from my own car. Or the hooker who lived in the government apartments around the block. She had two beautiful kids, one a baby the other a toddler. And their sperm doner father who lived there too off and on.
He would work one corner with the kids and a sign that said "please help, homeless and have kids"
And she would work the other corner in short shorts, tube top, and a ton of make up.
They was bringing in enough room and board with government handouts to pay their bills, food and the housing was free.
They worked the streets for their heroine addiction.
Learned alot about the lowest of the low. From the 6'5" herion addict who tried to sell me the radio he just jacked from my own car. Or the hooker who lived in the government apartments around the block. She had two beautiful kids, one a baby the other a toddler. And their sperm doner father who lived there too off and on.
He would work one corner with the kids and a sign that said "please help, homeless and have kids"
And she would work the other corner in short shorts, tube top, and a ton of make up.
They was bringing in enough room and board with government handouts to pay their bills, food and the housing was free.
They worked the streets for their heroine addiction.
So sad. As many on here can attest, drugs are truly are evil, and so are those that push them, and those that supply them. Never has so much damage been done. It is truly incalculable when you look at the economic and socioeconomic damage. It is the root cause of so many of our problems.
Blacknarwhal
Three-Time Trump Voter
Not my circus, not my monkeys. That's between him and God.
When you give alms, give so your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing. Nothing about vetting. Nothing about research. That's all God says about giving.
Never, ever, ever give money to those claiming to be homeless. I worked with the Homeless Coalition for a while and the stories … ugh. Find a legitimate assistance program that gives 75%+ of their collected donations to people for food and housing and/or into training programs.
Yep, just like this, but at Walmart. Exact same scenario.
Scotto
Set Apart
Around Indianapolis here we have people pretending to play instruments along a stereo "amplifying" their sound but it's actually a recording. Some are so good at it that people think they are really playing. They panhandle until they get kicked out and move to a new spot, usually Kroger stores.
Big Kahuna
Contributing Member
The best way to help people in serious need is Samaritans Purse. Operated by Franklin Graham. Just my opinion.
Squib
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Did you seen the look and air of the two young ladies as they were leaving?
They cultivate that alluring seductive demeanor.
The girls and young women often scam guys with their good looks…problem is, often you’ll end up rolled, robbed, or going home with an STD -
No, I don’t know this by first hand experience!
Usually LEOs know about it when a family comes through…In LE, we always kept an eye on them - the old war stories from the crusty veterans who were GIs over seas we’re always entertaining!
They cultivate that alluring seductive demeanor.
The girls and young women often scam guys with their good looks…problem is, often you’ll end up rolled, robbed, or going home with an STD -
No, I don’t know this by first hand experience!
Usually LEOs know about it when a family comes through…In LE, we always kept an eye on them - the old war stories from the crusty veterans who were GIs over seas we’re always entertaining!
You may want to check out Samaritans Purse. It broke my heart because we've supported them for a long time, and Billy Graham would be ashamed, but apparently they are no longer good stewards of the money they receive. Franklin has a private retreat in alaska with private jet and personal bronco. Quite a large expose was done on it.
"All show and no go" was the phrase used.
beaglemama
Senior Member
When I want to help the homeless, I donate money to a local minister who helps them. He's been doing outreach with them for decades. While there are lists of what they need and drop off points for donations, it's easier for me to just donate some money and then it can be used for whatever they need the most.
I totally agree about donating to a good, reputable program instead of giving individuals cash or stuff. (Of course, once in a while there are legit exceptions but overall donate to reputable programs!)
bracketquant
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Here, the true homeless, when it rains, will get wet. One can smell their clothing from several yards away.
The fake homeless almost never get wet, and do not smell.
same scenario around toronto
violin officinados who dont speak english
but their barker/collector, does
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
It isn't "alms" if it isn't actually HELPING them.
The right-hand/left-hand saying is not about YOU not knowing what you're doing, but about doing it in such a way that OTHERS KNOW about what you're doing, as a way of bragging on yourself by earning their good opinion.
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
he's not allowed to own a personal car? (the Bronco) And lots of folks have second homes and it's not unusual for corporate executives to have their own private jet, so as to avoid airlines (I can't blame them, with all the mess going on with the airlines). Those do not necessarily have to be as elaborate as Air Force 1-- may be like the tiny Lear jets I see fly over my house all the time going to Dekalb Peachtree Airport. While not in a middle-class person's budget (a new one is 1.5 to 3.5 M), again it's not unusual for corporate executives to have these. I'd also have to know if the jet is personally owned by him, or is owned by Samaritan's Purse. Knowing how much this organization does all over the world, it would in truth be MORE cost-effective over the long term for the organization to have a private means of ferrying him from one disaster-site to another at will, than to schedule/pay for commercial flights (with all their attendant problems).
I'd have to know more than just "OH! He has a bronco, and a second home, and a private jet!" but would have to know WHERE those come from--ministry funds or his own personal funds.
Finally--It's EASY-PEASY to find MANY anti-Samaritan's Purse articles (I just checked) but I noted the tone of MOST of those are virulently Anti-Christian as well. But I've never forgotten what Samaritan's Purse did in NC and adjacent states after Helene.
FNFAL1958
Veteran Member
Had a fellow come up to me a few years ago to beg for money, he flat out said Man I ain't going to lie to you and tell you some sob story, me and my friend is trying to get together enough money to buy a bottle of booze, I could see his friend he pointed at standing out front of the liquor store, I laughed and said you know man for the honesty I'll give you five bucks towards that party. At least he was honest and up front about what he was going to do with the money. Our little town don't allow panhandling of any kind and will only ask you to leave once after that it gets legal.
FNFAL1958
Veteran Member
Samaritan's Purse bought two shut down Glass factories in a town a few miles from me and built two operations centers that employs a few hundred folks in my county that would otherwise have to leave the county to find work.
I have talked to folks that work there and everyone says the pay is good and they are treated well. Oh yeah, I've seen the Jets they use and there not big fancy jets by any measure they are just big enough to be useful and still be able to land at most airstrips, like the one not 10 miles from my house. I have nothing bad to say about any of the Franklins they brough new work to an otherwise economically suppressed county.
Knoxville's Joker
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The stoplight as i get off at my work exit has a no panhandling sign and states the local ordinance number. I just ignore them as the panhandlers tend to be rather violent here
And this is why you never engage panhandlers. Druggies are very volatile.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
I was about to post something along those lines. I do, too! More often than not, impoverished seniors are struggling to buy about 12 basic items. The last one, in front of me at Aldi, was about to take off the milk, which I covered. That was not a scam. On the other hand, anyone asking for handouts in the parking lot is a "no."
As an older woman I am very leery out alone esp at WMart. Husband approached every time he gets gas. He bought one guy a gallon of gas and walked with him to put in car. Guy then asked for $ husband said No -go get a job!
Agree with giving to churches. Many have food pantries to help others.
And if you offer to buy them food they refuse. Just want cash.
Agree with giving to churches. Many have food pantries to help others.
And if you offer to buy them food they refuse. Just want cash.
KFhunter
FAFO
Blacknarwhal
Three-Time Trump Voter
That can't be it. Because the alternative listed in that verse is to have people going before you to announce it. The right hand / left hand thing is about as few people as possible knowing about it. That way, your Father, who sees what you do in secret, will see and reward you Himself.
KFhunter
FAFO
Even out here in the sticks nearly an hour drive to the nearest Walmart they’re doing home delivery, for free. And you can tip through the app if you chose, or not at all
A neighbor was telling me they did it and didn’t tip so the prices were the same as if they had bought it in store, but I shamed him into tipping which you can do after the fact in the app
In my little truck it costs 4 gallons of gas to go to Walmart and back plus maintenance and depreciation in value, gas is almost $6.00 gallon
So a $20 tip saves me $$ over doing it myself for sure
meezy
Veteran Member
This brings to mind an issue I've been struggling with for years. I'm a firm believer in giving so your left hand doesn't know what the right is doing -- but it gets me in trouble sometimes. We're not exactly wealthy people, but we do give to four different charities monthly. We don't talk about it, though, and since I can't afford to give to everyone who asks, I'm branded as a cheapskate. I anonymously gave an elderly lady some money to help pay a vet bill. She still doesn't like me.
But the real problem is this. We own a small business. We are constantly being asked to donate items or money for sponsorship or prize baskets and such, in return for advertising for our business. That's fine. But when we're asked to donate to a charity in exchange for advertising, I can't do it. I'll only do it for no recognition -- like when some kids and their parents came in asking for money to sponsor their sports team, and I just handed them a $20 bill and said no, don't write down the company name. But yeah, now the other business owners on my street think I'm selfish. Oh well, can't win. But I think I'm getting the only recognition that counts.
But the real problem is this. We own a small business. We are constantly being asked to donate items or money for sponsorship or prize baskets and such, in return for advertising for our business. That's fine. But when we're asked to donate to a charity in exchange for advertising, I can't do it. I'll only do it for no recognition -- like when some kids and their parents came in asking for money to sponsor their sports team, and I just handed them a $20 bill and said no, don't write down the company name. But yeah, now the other business owners on my street think I'm selfish. Oh well, can't win. But I think I'm getting the only recognition that counts.
JMG91
Veteran Member
Wow. At least they make an effort to appear homeless. The folks that panhandle in our area don't even bother. They sit there scrolling on an iPhone, and don't even look up at you.
Bud in Fla
Veteran Member
I've seen 1 can of roof coating thinned with gasoline and painted on a driveway. Looked good till it rained. Same with painting houses - after the job they'll have 3 or 4 empty five gallon paint buckets that probably came from a job site somewhere. They make sure the sucker sees them removing their "trash" as it will be used on the next scam.
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I tip WM and Sam's Club delivery 20%. The way it looks to me it's helping out a Mom or Dad or a young person who is willing to WORK and make a few extra bucks for the family, for school, etc. And it saves me the deep aggravation of going to town. Bless 'em for it.
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
You misunderstood my point. You were using the verse in reference to you not knowing the person's motives. I agree wtih you the verse is about others seeing and praising you. But there is NO reward offered, as (I think it was summerthyme? said) for not using our stewardship of our resources wisely. We are in fact required to be "wise as serpents"--and Christ himself confronted a woman who was not being quite honest with Him to reveal that He knew ALL about her and wasn't going to accept half-truths.
To blindly go along with this behavior is to REWARD two sins: (no, three)-- Lying, Stealing, and Defrauding (fraud).
KFhunter
FAFO
I did some digging which might be useful regarding tipping. The delivery drivers in this area are Walmart employees. In other areas they use spark subcontractors which do keep 100% of their tips.
From internet:
Walmart-Employed Drivers These drivers receive an hourly wage, typically ranging from $12 to $20 per hourdepending on location and experience. They are eligible for benefits such as overtime, payroll tax withholding, and company perks. In some markets, these drivers do not keep customer tips directly, as tips may be routed through the company or pooled.
So perhaps tips should be cash, but if they pocket it can they be fired for not pooling it? Paying through the app would 100% be pooled, but how widely? Company wide or locally pooled? I’m not a fan of pooled tips, for socialistic reasons as shitty drivers get portions of excellent drivers tips. It doesn’t encourage excellence.
I know of a few farmers that still coat their wooden trailer decks with used motor oil.
All I know is that every time I designate my tip with either Walmart or Sam's delivery, it's stated right there in bold that 100% of the tip goes to the driver.
Maybe your area is different.
Jez
Veteran Member
I developed a heart of coal after giving someone at the gas station holding a gas can and asked for money. I gave him $10 and watched him put the gas can on top of the trash can, climb into a car with someone and drive off.
Another time someone wanted to thank me and offered a hand shake, when I shook his hand he held tightly and would not let me go. THAT scared the shit out of me because I learned how vulnerable it makes you.
Lessons learned the hard way.
Another time someone wanted to thank me and offered a hand shake, when I shook his hand he held tightly and would not let me go. THAT scared the shit out of me because I learned how vulnerable it makes you.
Lessons learned the hard way.
Jez
Veteran Member
That was my policy until I watched the guy throw the gas can away and get into a car and drive off. Since then, not a dime.