Needy folks

Just came home from the store, and as I was walking out I saw a guy sitting on the ground in the parking lot that looked like he was spending the night on the side of the building. I stopped and asked if he was OK, and he said "So far." I gave him some cash and he said "Thanks brother."

It struck me how appreciative he sounded and wished I had more to give him. Now, I know some are simple panhandlers, but this guy was not begging and just getting comfortable for a cold night outside and looked pretty down.

We don't know their situations, but maybe we could show some kindness for those unfortunate souls especially this time of year. It's one thing if it were Florida and warm, but it's very cold here at night and I don't know how they survive it in just a sleeping bag. Please keep them in mind and be generous.

Their all over the place in NYC...

Around here you'll see their cardboard condos under the overpasses. Or if ya out in the woods (lots) their there living in old tents or more cardboard. BUT, Pakistan, Greece, Spain etc need our billions of $ more!

Cardboard has been to NYC?:roflmao:

When they sleep in the woods the old timers called it "The Jungle". I was a hobo for a few years off and on when I was in my late teens and early twenties. I rode the rods and hitched a lot and did a lot of walking, too. It was self imposed and it was no picnic. I couldn't bring myself to panhandle and worked spot labor here and there and stayed in Sally's (Salvation Army) or the Goodwill. Mostly I slept where ever I could find an overpass or empty boxcar in the train yards. I hoboed all along route 66 and everywhere else, too.

I almost always give to a street person and the S.A. bell ringers and other organizations that help others. You don't know if somebody's scamming you or not, but I'd rather err on the side of giving.

BTW, I don't know why this thread is in projects . . .

After our recent move we had a bunch of clothing, blankets etc. that we just didn't need. Since we were still setting up house (or apartment if you will) my MIL offered to take it all to the homeless shelter. As she was unloading the stuff a lady noticed she had a sleeping bag and asked for it . As my MIL gave it to her she said "God bless you tonight I have a bed." My MIL teared up as did my wife when she was told the story.

I've made a vow to not pass a S.A. bell-ringer w/o depositing at least a couple of bucks this year.

So far it's cost me $22 and I'm keeping with it.

Sorry I started this under Projects, Josh, but in a way it is a project. So many folks today are hurting, that I truly feel blessed to have a home to sleep in. Salvation Army is a great example of a program that works, but they are not in every small town. We just need to be on the lookout for those who are sleeping in the woods or dumpster diving, you can tell who's faking it.

Many have lost their jobs, family, homes through no fault of their own, and, some are there by choice. We should not judge, but use good judgement when you see someone down on their luck this season. Thanks guys, for your generosity.

Believe somebody important said "when you give to the least of these, you give to me"

Amen ! Good thing you did Alex good thing

I think we as Americans are a compassionate people, willing to help those in need. I read somewhere once that we give more to charities than any other nation on earth. No other country even comes close. Interestingly, it's the non-Christian countries around the world who give the least or not at all.

It wouldn't hurt any of us to give a few bucks to some homeless person on the street or to a charity like the S.A. I think giving is more a matter of the heart than of the pocketbook. Everybody has a few dollars to spare now and then, but not everybody has the right heart to give it up. JMO.

Josh, you sure have lived an interesting life. I've often thought about what I'd do if I had little or no money. I don't think I would hang around town though. Just come in to town for books and bullets.

I would revert to being a mountain man. Find a nice little valley with a small lake at about 10,000' where there'd be no people, build my own log home and keep it stocked with reading materials. I'd have fresh water, fish and game to simmer in the pot while I studied natural herbs and medicinals that are plentiful if we'd just look around.

Guess I'd have to deal with the National Forest Service people though, as they don't want you doing that. Maybe I could pick up an old 10 acre mining claim that has gone back for taxes. Yes, I could do that.

Yeah...That was all over the news last evening...Some say it was a set up because the guy was outside a shoe store...I don't care...It was a nice thing to do...You have to be careful though...There was a recent article in Forbes or Bloomberg Markets about charities and fundraising...Pissed me off big time...American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and a lot of other big name charities hire telemarketing firms to contact you which is nothing new but the deception is incredible...Your lucky if $0.25 of your doller makes it to the charity. The head of the American Red Cross said that is better than nothing...Phuck her...Ohio recently nailed two charities with nice fines...A charity called the daughter of the Assistant Attorney General, said she was a volunteer and said that roughly $0.80 of every dollar goes to the charity...Her dad had a field day...She was not a volunteer and less than 50% of every $ went to the charity...Court said you can't lie and blatently mislead people...A few months later another charity called a lady who happened to be an assistant to this very same Assistant Attorney General...He nailed their azz too...But the problem though is that the fines do not hurt...What is a couple hundred thousand when these guys raise millions??? Got to make it hurt...

You did a great thing Alex.
When I went to San Diego, last week I seen homeless folks everywhere. Sleepin on the sidewalks downtown to the grass on the beach's

God shows up in the most stange places. Yes what you did for him, you also did for Jesus. you are an inspiration to us all, and you set the bar for the rest of us to reach for, May God bless you and your family.