I semi-routinely get food for beggars. Gift cards, even. I don’t carry cash, but if someone says they’re trying to get enough money for food, I offer to just buy them what they need. They almost always say yes, and, especially in winter, you can tell it means a lot, at least in the moment.
On my first payday, post graduation, I did this for some kid who seemed clean by really skinny. He picked out frozen chicken nuggets, and seemed just so happy and grateful. That’s stuck with me.
You know better beggars than I’ve seen, then. Usually I’ve seen them refuse food, they only want cash.
It’s good that you ask them, instead of just buying food. The honest ones will accept your offer and the dishonest ones will at least tell you to fuck off if you offer them food but they really wanted vodka or drug money.
I semi-routinely get food for beggars. Gift cards, even. I don’t carry cash, but if someone says they’re trying to get enough money for food, I offer to just buy them what they need. They almost always say yes, and, especially in winter, you can tell it means a lot, at least in the moment.
On my first payday, post graduation, I did this for some kid who seemed clean by really skinny. He picked out frozen chicken nuggets, and seemed just so happy and grateful. That’s stuck with me.
You know better beggars than I’ve seen, then. Usually I’ve seen them refuse food, they only want cash.
It’s good that you ask them, instead of just buying food. The honest ones will accept your offer and the dishonest ones will at least tell you to fuck off if you offer them food but they really wanted vodka or drug money.