panhandler.

[AspensMama1537]

Normally when I drive home from work I see the same panhandler on the same corner. But yesterday there was a new one. A young woman, maybe mid twenties. She had a sign that said "single mom anything helps". It surprised me, I had never seen that before. But what caught me off guard was her face. She was almost in tears. She looked scared and humiliated. I wanted so bad to reach in my purse and give her $20. As a rule I don't do that. I donate other ways. Trusted ways. The whole way home I kept thinking about her. Either she was one good actress, or she was genuine. Poor girl. Maybe its because I am pregnant but the whole thing made me cry. Just wanted to share with you single moms. :'(

[MissTuree]

Oh man. That would have broke my heart. :(

[MamasaurusPrime]

I would have given the money regardless. Even if they're faking it, something ha driven them to beg to the point where they actually believe they needed the money more than myself, but I always give without judging.

[steviechick]

That would have bothered me, too.  However, since I don't know her circumstance, I wouldn't have given her any money.  No one is that broke and lost.  She must have been distraught more than anything else.  But, then not sure what her circumstances are so I'm guessing.

[MamasaurusPrime]

Exactly. You don't know her circumstances.

It's fine if you don't give without judging, but I was brought up to believe if people need to beg, something has driven them to, and they probably need it more than I do.

Another thing OP, were her kids with her? There's so many questions about that - would they have been in CFS/CPS? Were they with family? Were they at daycare? If I were gonna panhandle, I'd bring my kid with me 'cause obviously I wouldn't afford child care.

Weird, but I still would have given her the money regardless.

Quoting steviechick:

That would have bothered me, too.  However, since I don't know her circumstance, I wouldn't have given her any money.  No one is that broke and lost.  She must have been distraught more than anything else.  But, then not sure what her circumstances are so I'm guessing.

[Robsessed98]

I wouldn't give her cash no matter what her story was because there's no way to know the truth.  I would have asked her if she needed food or diapers or whatever and helped her out that way though.

[AspensMama1537]

She didn't have any kids with her.I wondered where they were too. I probably would have given her something, but it all happened so fast. I wish I could have stopped and talked to her. I just can't quit thinking how upset she looked.

Quoting MamasaurusPrime:

Exactly. You don't know her circumstances.

It's fine if you don't give without judging, but I was brought up to believe if people need to beg, something has driven them to, and they probably need it more than I do.

Another thing OP, were her kids with her? There's so many questions about that - would they have been in CFS/CPS? Were they with family? Were they at daycare? If I were gonna panhandle, I'd bring my kid with me 'cause obviously I wouldn't afford child care.

Weird, but I still would have given her the money regardless.

Quoting steviechick:

That would have bothered me, too.  However, since I don't know her circumstance, I wouldn't have given her any money.  No one is that broke and lost.  She must have been distraught more than anything else.  But, then not sure what her circumstances are so I'm guessing.

[cadeesmommy0120]

 This.

Quoting Robsessed98:

I wouldn't give her cash no matter what her story was because there's no way to know the truth.  I would have asked her if she needed food or diapers or whatever and helped her out that way though.

 

[brieri]

 You should of stopped and asked her what the problem was.  I saw one like that a few years back,  she was college age  thinking she was more doing a paper, than being a panhandler.

[Cowgirl_Momma19]

I'm a 19 year old single mom. I was in college when I got pregnant. Basically I had no job and was broke as hell because of tuition. I never had to panhandle. I am on WIC which is a lifesaver with the price of formula. I had a really supportive family that helped wherever they could with clothes but for the most part i've done everything myself. It would have bothered me to see that but not enough to give her money. There is a ton of help out there for mothers. Emergency HUD, WIC, homeless shelterd and food banks, welfare if it's absolutely necessary. No reason to panhandle. Just my opinion though.

[Cowgirl_Momma19]

Opps. *shelters!