Out of gas in Murray KY on way to AZ

coolmom42 wrote:

Gale Hawkins wrote:
A guy was at Walmart trying to raise money for gas and food in a class C so some others helped out and I topped off tank. Hoping he makes it to Phoenix.

Sometimes it's a scam, sometimes it's not.

I figure if I help someone and they are lying/faking, it's on them, not me. If I don't help them, I may have turned my back on someone in need.

A while back a minister who ran a soup kitchen did an experiment. It was in Texas, IIRC. Every time he, and some of his followers, we panhandled for money for food, they hand out a free meal coupon to the soup kitchen. No strings attached, no preaching, just a free hot meal. Six thousand free meal tickets were handed out, a small handful were used! The reason is simple. The vast majority of panhandlers are addicts. Your desire to be sure that you are helping somebody in need, is nothing but assuring that YOUR money is buying THEIR drugs and alcohol.

The best policy is to NEVER hand a dime to anyone who is begging. If they need money for gas, tell them that you are willing to use your credit card to put a few gallon in their tank. If they are hungry, tell them that you will walk them to a local restaurant and prepay for their meal. 99.9% of the time this will get you a response that varies from, "no thanks" to hostility, for one simple reason. You are negotiating with a lying drug addict who has no interest in your charity offering, but wants your cash to score the next fix.

I see them at every major intersection and major on ramps here in Vegas.
If you look real close- you'll see that all their cardboard signs are hand printed by the same person.
All kind of scams in the Las Vegas area.
Keep you money in your pocket or give to the Salvation Army.

I really don't understand how people run out of gas these days, especially more than once. Exception is for those that have a broken gauge, but even then not much of an excuse after the first time.

I'm am glad that the op has the character to help someone in need. Too few do these days.

I just tell them to get outa here, I'm working this side of the street.

I once was approached by a "gentleman" in an auto parts parking lot who needed money for a fan belt. I told him I would walk him into the store and charge the fan belt for him. He didn't say another word. He just turned around and walked off.

I had my answer.

He must also be in Myrtle Beach SC.. this past Saturday at WalMart... older class C.

clamed his wallet was stolen sitting next to the baby's dirty diaper.

I keep my wallet in my pocket.

As a pedestrian, I've been asked for money for a meal. I don't want anybody to go hungry, so I offer to buy them a meal in a nearby restaurant. I can't print on here some of the responses, but I'm pretty sure some of their responses are impossible to do. :)

I give money to those who obviously need it and aren't asking for it. As a service plumber, I often carry a lot of cash, so I have no problem handing somebody needy a twenty or fifty dollar bill -- I will make up for it during the day and my wallet will be no lighter. I think most of us can tell who really needs it more than we can those who might need it.

Bruce

Think about the meth, crack, heroin etc habit you are feeding next time you are letting your heart open your wallet. I'd bet that is 99% of where your money goes. Reality is a tough pill but these people are generally outsmarting those who think they are generous.

If the RV guy is a begger at least Walmart will be back open before he runs out of gas and cash. :)