Beggars CAN be choosers!

Sadly, they may have drugs to buy

It appears to be drugs and/or alcohol here. I have not bought anybody sandwiches for a long time. I would never give cash.

When I was working in central London I saw a young girl begging daily for years on end outside the same tube station, going steadily downhill. She was on drugs, the track marks at times were visible. I would think that she was probably dead by the time she was 30. Very sad.

It is a fact that statistically many homeless people have an alcohol problem. One that I talked to a few times used to be a police sergeant. Alcoholism caused him to lose his job, then his house and family. He ended up on the streets until finally he was found dead in a shop doorway one morning.

It's not kimd to say we are judging Annie as many of us do give food, warm drinks and clothes to these people. It's simply that asking for cash is probably going to fuel an alcohol problem and the charities know what they're talking about when they say not to give cash.

Anniebach I don't think anyone is judging them. All the homeless charities I know recommend never giving cash, which is why I always ask if they want something to eat or a hot drink before I buy it.

I expect they get too much coffee and sandwiches, which is nice in a way, won't go hungry, but we all need some cash.
I may buy a few beers if I ever became homeless.
The trouble is, for the general public, telling who is a genuine case and who isn't is a headache.Many in my nearby town are suspect and have been seen getting into cars with their dogs by teatime.
Begging can be done by anybody who is prepared to do it after all, although it always seems a harder job than working in many ways IMHO.

Why should we judge them?

Greggs sell 'gift cards' so someone could use them for food when necessary. I don't know if other chains do this.

There may be an element of truth in that, Ana. I used to work for a solicitor who had a lot of street women as his clients. We used to see the same women coming in for Court time after time and I asked his clerk why. She said they go to Court, get fined, then go back on the street to earn money to pay the fines, and get picked up again. They were locked into a spiral of defeat.

I gave cash to a homeless man a few years ago and later saw him coming out of an off-licence clutching a pack of lagers.

Perhaps they have fines to pay, nanaandgrampy - for begging!

Do many homeless people have bills to pay Ana ? I struggled to think of what those might be.

I wont give money in case I am fuelling a drug habit.

It is this sort of thing that make me very wary of giving at all in case this is how they make a living . Call me hard hearted if you like but there it is.

I prefer to support my local shelter where the money goes on food, resettlement etc .

I give cash if asked, they may want cigarettes , how many coffees can anyone drink in a day

A bit choosy sounding, but perhaps too many people have decided to give them coffee and/or sandwiches - how many coffees can they drink in a any hour without feeling hyped up or needing to sit very near the loo?

A friend is a church elder and sets aside time to visit her "little list" one after the other. She says that she is swimming in tea by the time she is finished.

It's bit rude, isn't it?

Why not a sign saying 'Cash appreciated, bills to pay' or something similar?

Cups of coffee from Costa coffee are always welcomed in our town. Or a basic sandwich.
So far nobody has asked me for cash.
Well......a busker did once, but I suppose he was not homeless.

I do buy food or coffee for homeless people but I am always worried they may have an allergy or something, I usually ask before I buy and have never been told they would prefer cash! I also follow the general rule of never giving cash.

Well, that does take the biscuit - or rather reject it doesn't it!

I would not be inclined to donate! We have generally followed the 'never give them cash' rule.