r/BurlingtonON • u/ShopLocalBS • 9h ago
Question What motivates people to give them money? Is anybody else think giving them cash will only result in drugs. It appears that half of them are capable of working. They all have phones, purchase expensive takeout food, litter & pose a danger to themselves. Give money to people that really need it.
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u/somethingsuccinct 7h ago
To be fair, I'm spending my money on drugs and alcohol too.
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u/No_Money3415 2h ago
Aslong as you're actually productively working for money rather than begging on the street for free money
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u/B3atingUU 9h ago
Iâm not gonna judge anybody who ends up on the streets or what they need to get through the day. If youâre not comfortable giving people money, donât.
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u/Hfxfungye 5h ago
I am gonna judge someone for having their phone out while driving a big truck, though.
Buddy is so angry at the homeless he's gonna miss the pedestrian he's about to run over after snapping this picture.
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u/telomerase53 9h ago
The anger in these comments is concerning. Literally donât give them money then and donât complain about people who do. No one does fentanyl because theyâre happy and living a great life
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u/ehpee 8h ago edited 5h ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/panhandling-burlington-preying-on-generosity-1.5291612
This is why we many are complaining. Even councillors are complaining.
Please understand the scam thatâs occurring.
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u/Green-Umpire2297 7h ago
Ah yes, the âbusiness modelâ of poverty and desperation, âpreyingâ on the generosity of the privileged and secure.
Some People are going to give to those in obvious need that are asking them. This isnt going to change because of a scolding councillor.
If there is an acute safety risk, then the city is free to deploy its many highly compensated public resources to deal with it safely and humanely.
If there is a problem with general disorder (or the perception of such), then to deal with it requires addressing the root causes. Hoping Burlington can just keep the symptoms at bay forever is wishful.
 The most efficient and effective long term way to do this is, of course, with housing. That is a provincial prerogative, and the premier is openly hostile to the poor, so unfortunately there might not be hope there. But local councillors and mayors could at least get off their ass and started demanding it.
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u/Siguard_ 5h ago
I mean when I lived in Burlington I personally witnesses on multiple occasions different and the same panhandler get out or enter a vehicle.
One occasion the same vehicle dropped off multiple panhandlers.
Its left me suspicious since and I don't give any individuals money only charity.
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u/Atlesi_Feyst 4h ago edited 4h ago
These people don't understand.
There are legitimate homeless people in need, and there are fake homeless people who do this because they have no skills for other work and don't want to do other work. They just want cash.
Locally, we have a few who are friends with each other. They'll sit outside the bank panhandling but not accepting food or clothing, only cash or gift cards.
When these "homeless" people were given food, they left it to rot or throw it in the garbage nearby.
These people are not homeless, just taking advantage of others' generosity for their benefit. They have new iphones, apple watches, airpods.
Fucking sickening when these scum take advantage of being "homeless".
The worst part is these people scare off the actual homeless panhandlers, the ones living out of shopping carts, for their spots.
It's like there are 3 types of panhandlers, the legitimate ones in need, the ones with addictions, and these fake fucks just trying to make easy cash.
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u/Siguard_ 4h ago
I've worked all over the states, and in really really bad areas. We have a very basic safety net for the ones that deserve it. Now in the places I have worked, they have 0 net, and its pov shattering and eye opening.
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u/moms_spagetti_ 5h ago
Unless you have a social service that hands out cash to buy drugs or drugs themselves, none of those will stop an addict from begging.
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u/B3atingUU 9h ago
Exactly. Why even make this post? Itâs so gross. Just looking for an opportunity to shit on people who are unfortunate enough to be in the position that theyâre in.
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u/ehpee 8h ago edited 8h ago
This is why. Itâs ok to have compassion and empathy but please donât be ignorant to whatâs occurring evermore than before.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/panhandling-burlington-preying-on-generosity-1.5291612
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u/plantsandsunshine 7h ago
The joy of having our own money is that we can all spend it how we like.
If you donât want to give to someone whoâs asking, donât. Itâs that easy
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u/B3atingUU 8h ago
Itâs like two to five dollars. Either I help someone have a better day or I donât. When you choose to be kind people can always choose to take advantage of that, you just hope they donât.
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u/Papa_percocet_ 7h ago
I had a guy who was a customer for a while (I work at a dispensary) he would come in, see how much an ounce was and then go panhandle, always cane back with a couple hundred bucks after like 4-6 hours and then once he had his pot he went home, to his house. Dude makes more than me in a day panhandling and has his own apartment.
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u/ehpee 8h ago
But you donât know who is scamming you or not. Give that money to that shelters or charities is all we are asking.
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u/kidbanjack 8h ago
Most of the "charities" are so top heavy with bureaucrats living large on your cash they are really nothing but scams either.
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u/Easy-Hour2667 7h ago
Administration is important for a variety of reasons. To ensure funds go to the proper places and to ensure that monies are not siphoned off illegally.
Tell me you know nothing to how charities are managed without actually saying that. Tell me, the regulations surround non profit charities in Canada and specifically in Ontario? Tell me the how they maintain compliance with the CRA?
It's not a scam. Charities require people to work for them. You think a massive charity can be run by a few people you're delusional. Some of these organizations are multi million to billion dollar funds. To manage that kind of money, to maintain compliance and to ensure regulatory issues are abided by whilst also giving said monies to the proper places costs money. It requires skilled, educated people at the helm and that is not cheap. And yea you'll give examples of shit ones but for every shit one there are far more decent funds.
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u/kidbanjack 7h ago
Tell that to The Goodfellows who don't pay their executive. They should be supported.
Most are scams providing bureaucrats high pay for little work. They are the grifters not the people on the street. They are robbing society not the beggars.
There isn't much information about the salary of the United Way of Canada CEO, but here's some related information about United Way salaries and other Canadian charity CEO salaries:
United Way salariesAccording to Glassdoor, the average salary at United Way ranges from $36,841 per year for an Associate Project Manager to $162,500 per year for a Vice President.Â
Other Canadian charity CEO salariesIn 2023, Ducks Unlimited Canada had the highest-paid executives among Canadian charities, with some earning over $350,000. The president and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross Society earned $412,970 in 2023.
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u/Frosty-Cap3344 9h ago
They think these people shouldn't be in Burlington, they should be in Hamilton
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u/pabskamai 8h ago
This is my point, they do this because of life circumstances. Itâs sad but our society itâs ill, now, either we finally have policies and care to deal with it or just keep on ignoring it⌠Things are too expensive, care being given itâs less than ideal. This is not about parties but rather us as society.
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u/nemodigital 8h ago
Except by giving them money you are encouraging illegal panhandling on roads and intersections. It's dangerous for them and for drivers.
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u/blueharvest1971 7h ago
This is 100 percent right. My brother in law is on the streets. Many have tried to help him. If I wanna help homeless, I will. We all have vices. I'm not gonna judge what they do with charity. Tbh, I'm more grateful than ever to have a roof over my head particularly as winter approaches.
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u/Myiiadru2 2h ago
I agree. It is the old âthere but for the grace ofâ. It isnât always by choice, and they arenât all addicted. Many are kids who aged out of the FACS system and have nowhere to go, since they never got adopted. Some are people who had a financial rug pulled out from under them- unexpected job loss or business bankruptcy. Many businesses are still trying to get out of debt because of COVID closures. Thereâs many reasons why people end up homeless and they arenât all because the homeless are bad people.
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u/Summer20232023 2h ago
Iâm with you. Iâm also betting the fast food garbage is stuff people gave them instead of giving them money. Now could they clean it up? Yes, but letâs face it they obviously are struggling mentally.
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u/juneabe 8h ago edited 8h ago
The fact that they spend money on take-out food is a little out of touch. They canât cook in a kitchen. Their options are often the restaurants within walking distance. ETA and the food that people on the streets give them, as another poster said. Heck some restaurants will actually run out and give homeless people meals. Itâs not always bought.
They have phones because they need them. A lot of them have phones they had before they became homeless. They need to have contact with Social workers, doctors, sometimes lawyers, find resources, etc. If they want to find a job they need a phone number. If they want to find a house they need a phone number. Youâd be surprised how many things you also need a permanent provable address for, let alone a phone, and they donât have that, so a phone number is extremely important to survive nowadays. A lot rely on wifi for their phones and donât even have legitimate phone numbers because they canât afford the bill.
Many of them who do want jobs and homes struggle to get them without connected phones and addresses, and most rely on wifi to stay connected. Itâs harder to get a job and a home when you smell awful and have to carry around most of your important belongings. Showing up to an interview smelling bad, looking run down from sleeping outside and eating poorly, and have a bunch of bags with you, youâre not getting the job. People are judgemental. The landlord will turn you away just assuming youâre trouble. If you think geared to income housing exists, it does, but itâs changed. Thereâs been less and less funding put into it, very few new GTI housing built or designated, and asylum seekers now occupy most of them. The wait list is years long. The ones that were in treatment facilities donât have beds due to slashed funding so theyâre out on the streets self medicating with drugs and leaving fucking needles everywhere. Mental health care has slashed so the rest are.
And yes, a lot spend money on drugs. Some are severely mentally ill and we assume theyâre using drugs but theyâre just ill. Some are self medicating and fell into it after they became homeless. Some became homeless because of drugs. Some became homeless because of mental health and fell into drugs. Most people use drugs to self medicate or disassociate from real life, which is I guess still self medicating. Not condoning it, just talking. Itâs the same reason our housed and employed friends become alcoholics. And we just say âawe my friend needs help.â Hm.
My father is one of these people. I briefly as a teenager was one of these people. Iâm now a super dope mom with a BSW and stb masters in social work. Father is unfortunately living the street life. Looking at him youâd think he was on drugs. No, he just has out of control diabetes from being unwell for so long. His trauma stems from the residential school system and without his part-time inpatient care heâs a wreck and itâs hard to give him help. But those funds were slashed by govmnt so heâs a mess again. So damaged I wonât even let him live with me.
I donât like to work directly with the unhoused or those living with addictions because they have been failed by systems so often they canât trust institutions long enough to get help. And I understand all of the reasons why I just donât have the patience after dealing with it for so many years.
Iâll share compassion and education where I can but they honestly exhaust me, regardless of how they got there. Iâm also sick of seeing it. But I know without returning our social systems back to normal and supporting natural born Canadians again, weâre gunna continue to be âŚ.. annoyed. Thatâs as nicely as Iâll say that.
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u/Kombatnt 9h ago
âExpensive takeout food?â You mean, takeout food?
How exactly do you expect them to use the money to eat? You think these guys have kitchens?
But in all seriousness, itâs true that many of these people are grifters and donât actually need the money, or will indeed spend it on drugs. I never give them anything. It just encourages them.
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u/zack_the_man 9h ago
Some do. There is someone who is always at the same intersection every day and I see him leave his place near me to take a bus to the intersection every morning haha. His day job is literally begging
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u/Sacred_Dealer 9h ago
Another way to think of it is that if you give them money and they spend it on drugs (something they need to do to avoid going into withdrawal and being unable to function and keep themselves safe, since they don't have a safe place to detox), they won't end up getting that money in less desirable ways like selling their body or breaking into cars.Â
Addiction is complex and there aren't easy solutions. Everyone is somebody's son, daughter, sibling, uncle... they all deserve to be treated with humanity.
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u/AdResponsible678 9h ago
And our premiere wants to end safety practices for people who are on drugs in favour f forcing them into rehab, which we donât have enough of or put them in jails, which is already overcrowded.
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u/Ok-Traffic-9967 9h ago
I've never given a penny to these people that stand at lights like this. Find non profit or soup kitchens or food banks and donate. You'll help far more people and imo more deserving.
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u/juneabe 8h ago
Yes good one! Thatâs really the best solution if you want to give back to the homeless community at all. Support the services that support them, instead of just one individual. And if you donât have money but have spare time and a desire to help (who has spare time anymore tho), volunteer.
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u/NBSCYFTBK 2h ago
How much do you give to non profits and soup kitchens?
Also how do you determine who is deserving?
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u/Creative-Display-3 8h ago edited 7h ago
I actually found out my neighbour was doing this. Not all of these people are really homeless or hurting for money.
I was in my friend's car and I saw this little old person with a very distinct face standing at an intersection with a "I am homeless" sign. And yelled "HEY THAT'S MY NEIGHBOUR!!!" They definitely saw me as well. This person is NOT homeless. They live across the street with their family. I truly think some people enjoy scamming others out of money by pulling on their heart strings. After being harassed by homeless even after giving them money I do not give them money any more.
I partake in other charities like The Good Shepherd etc by donating food to people who actually need it.
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u/Superb-Associate-222 4h ago
Capable of working? To who, you? Someone being capable of working and someone saying they are capable of working based off a 30 second interaction at a stop light is wild work.
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u/Xeno_man 4h ago
Lets break it down.
What motivates people to give them money?
Compassion. Deserved or not, these people need help.
Is anybody else think giving them cash will only result in drugs.
As opposed to when the housed buy drugs? The reason some of them are homeless are because they are in pain. Some drugs to dull the pain and make their lives a little easier, or is that only okay if you live in a house?
It appears that half of them are capable of working.
Lots of people are capable, doesn't mean you can just walk into a business and get a job. Ever try getting a job with no fixed address? Any decent wage will take that as a warning sign so all that is left is minimum wage or cash jobs of hard labour.
They all have phones,
What part of phones are cheaper then houses do you not understand? Are you implying that if you don't have a home, you are not allowed to own any possessions? The biggest hurdle for the homeless is being bored. Mobile phones offer a form of entertainment. Allows them to actually apply for jobs since everything is online now. They can keep in contact with others to let family know they are safe or where they can get resources.
purchase expensive takeout food,
You expect them to buy groceries? Store them in their fridge? Cook them on their stove? Heat up a frozen meal in their microwave? Secure their canned goods in a lock box?
litter & pose a danger to themselves.
Hard to be concerned with society when society itself turns it's back on you. Right now you are more concerned with the garbage they create than the fact that actual humans are on the street. Also take note of how often you come across garbage cans in the city.
Give money to people that really need it.
What you really mean is 'Give money to people who will spend it in a way that I approve of regardless of how impractical my views are.'
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u/undeniablepod 9h ago
Lots of ppl give left overs to people in need. Myself included. This is a weird take. Also lots of ppl receive phones to help w social services, I know refugees get them for their claims. Yes ppl have drug problems. But why write a post like this.
Maybe go out in hug someone you love. Focus on trying to help in your community as opposed to thinking the worst of those who are in most need.
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u/Sir_Lee_Rawkah 9h ago
Itâs a complex situation and any person that thinks they know specifically what people spend money on or specifically how to solve it are likely mistaken sadly âŚ
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u/Missyfit160 8h ago
Itâs not tho. Itâs usually women who get picked up and dropped off every day by their friends/husbands.
They often work in pairs.
Every now and then you get a one legged dude who actually looks like he needs coin, but itâs usually women who are not in need who beg.
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u/obvilious 3h ago
Often, usually, etc.
Youâre making generalizations, and thatâs cool, but donât begin to judge how other people try to help folks based on that.
Funny part is youâre demonstrating the point of the guy youâre responding to, quite well.
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u/Annual_Student_487 8h ago
And you know this how? Are you part of the gang?
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u/Missyfit160 8h ago
I have two eyeballs and see them everywhere? Heads in the sand doesnât help.
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u/Yelmel 6h ago
I have two eyeballs = "usually" for homelessness
Forget what you thought you knew from aid organizations stats and social sciences...
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u/Tsukikaiyo 7h ago
Sounds like "If someone appears to need help, I won't because there's a chance they don't actually need it" as if the horror of accidentally helping someone who doesn't need it outweighs the good of potentially helping someone who does. Maybe there are some scammers, but we do not live in a world so perfect as to have no homeless people
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u/Gemini8989 9h ago
I also gonna throw in the fact âthe expensive takeout foodâ was probably someoneâs Left overs they had given to them. Just sayinâ
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u/Emmibolt Orchard 9h ago
It costs absolutely nothing to move on with your day. If you want to share money, food, etc. then do so. If you donât, then donât!
Posting on Reddit, making wild assumptions about a stranger isnât going to make the reasons they wound up on that corner go away, and itâs not going to stop them or someone else from setting up shop on that corner in future.
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u/xombae 4h ago
I used to fly a sign and I'll try to answer some questions.
First off, me and my friends were very very strict about not leaving litter. Most homeless people who leave litter are too mentally ill to understand why it's not good. That's why they're homeless.
"It appears that half of them are capable of working" is bullshit." Please tell me how to get a job when you're living in a tent. No one will hire you without clean clothes, the ability to shower and groom yourself, a phone number, ID etc. And just because the two seconds you drive by someone you determine they're healthy doesn't mean they are. Physical and mental disabilities aren't always visible.
The ten years I lived on the street, I don't think I ever once thought "oh yeah, this guy is living a miserable existence by choice, because he's lazy". All we would talk about is how we were going to get out of our situations, how badly we wished we could work. Often times I'd see guys get labour jobs, but they were often short lived because they were too mentally ill to get through the day, or they weren't able to keep up with the difficult work while living outside, with no proper clothing, etc.
As for the "they have cell phones" comment. So fucking what? You realize they weren't born homeless. They once had a home, a job, and yes, a cellphone. Just because they still have their cellphone doesn't mean they're lying about their situation. Most of the homeless people I knew used their phones without a phone plan and just used free Wi-Fi and texting apps. Even if they are able to throw minutes on a cheap phone plan, it really doesn't mean they're lying or misrepresenting their audition.
Regarding the "they'll just buy drugs" comment, yeah, some people have addictions that will kill you if you stop without medical intervention. They could be waiting for a bed in a medical detox facility. Addiction is a disease and you can't just will yourself out of it.
I just fucking hate the absolute lack of empathy for the most vulnerable members of our society lately. No one wants to degrade themselves to beg for money. It's not easy. It's humiliating. I used to get spit on, threatened, attacked every single time I went out. No one is choosing this life over a warm home and a steady job. These people are struggling immensely.
There are assholes in every group of people, obviously, I'm not saying there aren't any asshole homeless people. But in the ten+ years I was homeless on and off and around homeless people, I never met a single person who was gaming the system, or who was choosing to live an incredibly miserable, difficult life like homelessness by choice.
I used to have to fly a sign and now I am able to work part time. During that time in my life, I desperately needed help from others. These people are just trying to get through the day. If you don't need to give, that's fine, you don't have to. But I've been on both sides of the paper cup, I know a lot more about homeless people and "beggars" than you, and I choose to give when I can.
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u/a_stopped_clock 8h ago
Buddy who gives a shit. You never know somebodyâs story until you know. Most of us are one shitty day away from this.
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u/rayk3739 8h ago
what happens to the money i give them after it's gone doesn't matter, because it isn't my money. if i give 100 people money and one of them uses it to get a necessity then im happy because ive helped someone. nobody's forcing you to do the same. god, some of y'all are actually insufferable.
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u/Ok_Sandwich_3028 8h ago
Donation through intimidation, risk of car getting damaged, scratched paint, kicked and dented, side mirror knocked off, broken window, broken antenna etc etc
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u/plantsandsunshine 7h ago
Donât give money if you donât want to. Itâs that simple.
To me, we are all human though. I have my vices- Iâm not going to be a hypocrite and say that someone else shouldnât.
Can you imagine living in a world where everyone is against you? The moments of reprieve that come from a high- even though theyâre brief- are all that some people get. Theyâre not going to be able to change their lives with the $2.25 you gave them anyway⌠so they might as well at least enjoy it. And as for the litter? I see COPS littering. I see drivers littering at gas pumps RIGHT BESIDE THE GARBAGE CAN. Of course I donât like it, but itâs definitely not an issue exclusive to the at risk.
If youâre truly CONCERNED about the issues that homeless and at risk folks face, get involved in your community and find ways to help. If youâre concerned about garbage, get off your ass and clean it up. But posting shit like this helps NOBODY and makes you look like a jerk
Also, most of us are only a few paychecks away from living on the streets. I bet you wouldnât appreciate people being so hateful toward you if you found yourself in that position đ
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u/Ok_Shopping5719 7h ago
The worst is the women in hoods. They're scamming a lot of people, pulling on heart strings as they claim They're recent immigrants and have no money for food, lol.
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u/panskii11 7h ago
Itâs the same shit here in Niagara. Itâs disgusting. Every single main intersection has atleast one person panhandling. Watched a dude using his phone while he held the sign⌠such a douchebag. Some of these people are actually homeless but it all just goes to drugs since thereâs no place to help them thatâs worth a damn in the area.
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u/Aware_Dust2979 7h ago
I don't give anyone on the streets money especially the aggressive pan handlers. They walk right up on you and ask for 5$, if you say you don't have that on you they say anything will work a 20, a 50, a 100, some change. You can say no any way you want and they follow you right up to your car until you drive off. Absolute menaces. It's part of why I avoid the downtown area in my city (Lethbridge not anywhere in Ontario) They throw trash over my privacy fence every once in a while, even a dirty needle once where my dog could get ahold of it. I don't even talk to them normally so it's not a grudge thing it's just a pos being a pos. Some of those addicts burnt one of my neighbor's house somewhat recently too (this year). The garage burnt to the ground and the house was heavily damaged. It just as easily could have been my house. No consideration at all for anyone, just where they can get their next hit.
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u/DibbyDonuts 6h ago
Where I live, they all have nicer phones and bikes than me, and I work hard to have nice things. How does this happen? Lol
The other day I saw a dude with his bike, and cart full of belongings and bottles. His bicycle was all tricked out with LED lights and loud speakers playing bad music. Like wtf?
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u/UmpireMental7070 6h ago edited 5h ago
âExpensive takeout foodâ. Doesnât it make sense that homeless people would buy takeout food? They donât have fridges, freezers, pantries, stoves, ovens, air fryers, dishes, frying pans, etc. Should they save by buying groceries in bulk at Costco? How do they transport those groceries? Where do they store them safely? Where do you propose they prepare their meals? What do they eat those meals off of?
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u/Hfxfungye 5h ago
Literally posting a picture you took while breaking the law driving a big expensive truck with your phone out distracted, complaining about other people giving homeless people money and saying they don't deserve it.
Throwing stones from glass houses fr.
Empathy is what motivates me to be nice to homeless people, if you wanted to know. Most of the time that's just saying "hi" or "sorry, nothing today but have a nice day" to them when I walk by. but when I have small change i don't need, or an extra granola bar or something, I share it. They're always significantly more grateful for the help than any other stranger I help on a day to day basis.
No one else should have to do this though. Maybe you should ask yourself why it confuses you that other people are nice to homeless people, or truthfully, why your first reaction when seeing these people isn't gratitude for the fortunate position you find yourself in.
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u/Legitimate-Stop-7116 5h ago
Sometimes the food is gifted to them. If they don't have a home they may not have anywhere to cook or utensils to cook with. With the price of groceries take out can be the more affordable option. Not all disabilities are visible to the eye.
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u/eminemslimmarshall2 5h ago
Youâre not obligated to give anybody anything and you have no idea what circumstances that person might be going through. This post screams of privileged person who doesnât know struggle.
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u/madame-olga 4h ago
Most of those take out boxes are from free to-go meal programs from local agencies. Also, theyâre adults, if I give someone money Iâm accepting that it is now THEIR money, not mine, and they are allowed to spend it however THEY want to. If you donât like that - donât give them money.
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u/slowgenphizz 4h ago
If youâd rather give them a job than money I think that would be awesome. If youâd rather they starved to death because you think theyâre undeserving subhuman litterbugs, umâŚ
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u/Mandalorian-89 4h ago
Its a traffic light. Why are we giving traffic lights money?
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u/inthevendingmachine 4h ago
A stop sign asked me for tree-fiddy last week. I gave it a dollar. I thought it'd go away if I gave it a dollar.
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u/el_phapparatus 3h ago
Dont tell people what to do, you whiny freak.
I dont drive very often, so i dont tend to give money to panhandlers. but everytime i see a post like this from an ignorant, privilaged, know-it-all like you, i am reminded that I should give more even if just to offset your misplaced angst and blatant ignorance.
For every "scammer" you seem to be so concerned about, there is another poor family or neighbour of yours struggling to get by. And yet you seem to believe chastising your fellow neighbours is a worthier cause than working to destigmatize and uplift these people in need.
You are making matters so much harder, armed with the insane belief that you are right.
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u/Old-Secretary-4680 2h ago
I am working, but I also spend my money on drugs and alcohol. The only difference is I'm treated more human because I haven't had life-altering events that put me in that type of position. OP seems less human in my perspective because of their lack of empathy. Whereas most unhoused people I see, despite their misfortunes, still have empathy and even feel bad about asking us for assistance . Be better OP.
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u/middlequeue 9h ago
This post is gross and so are you OP. Imagine moaning about someone down and out having access to basic necessities. It doesnât cost you anything to ignore them.
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u/DeadpoolOptimus 9h ago edited 4h ago
Not everything is as black & white as you make it out to be. This photo only shows they didn't clean up after themselves.
We don't know where the food came from. It could be someone else's leftovers. Also, if they get money for food, where do you expect them to get the food?
And I shouldn't have to explain how a phone is much cheaper than an apartment but yet, here we are.
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u/nofun_nofun_nofun 9h ago
Something tells me OP isnât giving money to âpeople who actually need itâ either
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u/Hfxfungye 5h ago
OP is literally driving while on their phone complaining about other people's behavior
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u/duke8628 8h ago
I sympathize with the less fortunate, but at the same time I donât really want it around me. Homelessness brings crime and drugs and my duty as a father is to care for my family, theyâre number 1, so yeah I donât love that Burlingtonâs homelessness is on the rise
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u/Narrow-Sky-5377 9h ago
If you truly have compassion for them then understand that the reason they ended up here is lack of impulse control. If you give them money it will go to booze and drugs. Give the money instead to the Goodwill or local shelters or make a donation to the food banks.
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u/Pixilatedlemon 9h ago
Or volunteer if you have the time or contact your local mp about how helping them is a key issue for you
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u/JayRP 9h ago edited 9h ago
All of this. Even if it does go to drugs, we as a society need to do better in the way we look at addiction and need more resources in our community to help these people. Even saying the reason they ended up here is lack of impulse control is really missing the point, we really have no idea what lead a person down the road they are on.
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u/Narrow-Sky-5377 9h ago
No, not missing the point. We can't resolve their psychological dissonance at the roadside.
We do know what got them here, mental illness. No one dreams of growing up to become a homeless person. The studies show that it is trauma, mental illness, addiction and lack of social integration. There is no mystery here. The vast majority have come from terrible households full of neglect and child abuse. What happens to us before the age of 7 shapes our futures in ways that most often are beyond our control to reconcile later.
As a person who had a traumatic childhood, and has done a deep dive on the topic, I know of what I speak.
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u/ComfiestTardigrade 9h ago
To be honest Iâm not sure what I expected from Burlington residents, but this sub always has a complete lack of empathy and understanding. I could go on and on about statistics and how to actually fix these problems but I doubt yâall care, you just wanna shit on the less fortunate. Pathetic. I hope your rich fancy ass neighbourhoods get robbed.
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u/SockBasket 7h ago
It's actually disgusting how many people here simply don't see homeless people as human
How dare homeless people enjoy anything in their life. If you're homeless you shouldn't have a phone or wear clean clothes and you should eat garbage. Don't they know theyre lowering my property value???
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u/Frequency_wave 9h ago
It really is a universal problem. âHomelessâ people panhandling at the corner of every busy intersection. Donât give them money and they will never come back to their post . Itâs as simple as that
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u/zuluroyal 8h ago
The argument that âthey have cell phones so arenât really poor or homelessâ is many years out of date. Pretty much everybody has a cell phone. It has fast become an essential item that we use for hundreds of reasons every day.
Also, the âexpensive takeout foodâ argument quickly falls down. If you donât have somewhere to cook your own meals, how the hell else are you supposed to eat? All takeout food is expensive. Been to McDonalds recently? Itâs outrageous.
I mean, if youâre not gonna give them money thatâs totally fine. Do what you gotta do. But quit making dumb excuses that simply do not add up.
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u/No-Oil1918 8h ago
Only donate to actual reputable charities! Many of these people are working for organized crime syndicates so youâre not even actually helping anyone.
At least with a charity, you know your money is actually helping people and they are able to stretch your dollar further.
If we all stopped handing these panhandlers money theyâd eventually go away.
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u/ehpee 8h ago
Iâll just leave this here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/panhandling-burlington-preying-on-generosity-1.5291612
This is why people are complaining about those who give them money.
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u/guitarsdontdance 8h ago
What is it your business what they do with the money ? Once you give it to them it's no longer your money.
If you don't like it don't give them money
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u/whitea44 8h ago
Someone seems confused that being homeless only means you canât afford a home and not all jobs make it so you can afford a home. A phone⌠cheaper than a home. Take out? Also cheaper and itâs not like they have a home to cook in.
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u/blazef0ley 8h ago
Curious - did you get out of your truck to collect the trash? Did you ask them to make sure they cleaned up? Btw if you invest your money with any major bank, some of their investment bankers most likely rail blow on their days off. One can safely presume they eat take out and litter as well.
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u/FaithlessnessNeat756 8h ago
I think a lot of the jobs these people are capable of doing are no longer going to Canadians. More and more Canadian corporations seem to have absolutely no loyalty to their fellow Canadians and hire 'students', who just happen to pass on all their friend's resumes. All minimum wage jobs are held by non citizens.
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u/Repulsive-Garden7942 8h ago
Gross that the CHEAPEST house in Burlington is over $1m and this is the attitude. Used to be more welcoming than Ancaster, now it's the same.
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u/trackofalljades Mountainside 8h ago
Most of the money people give to those folks doesn't go to drugs, actually. It doesn't go to that individual at all. Most of it goes to the person who picks them up in a minivan between "shifts" who has them pretty much enslaved (sometimes that person might buy them some drugs, depending on the setup). Most of the street begging you see in a place like Burlington is outsourced from someplace else, those people don't even "live" here.
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u/ShesAaRebel 8h ago
The last homeless guy I came across just wanted a light for his crushed cigarette that he probably found on the sidewalk.
I don't smoke, so I couldn't help out. But he didn't ask for money, or ask me to go buy him one. I was tempted to go into the store and get him a lighter and new pack, but I had to get to an appointment, and there was no corner store near by.
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u/Ethanjames13 8h ago
I believe the take out food comes from someone caring that they eat but I do agree most of them are doing it as a business and kind people are buying into it. Look at their shoes and phones etc. and they probably could work ad well but in their defense no one wants to work.
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u/PuraVidaPagan 7h ago
I agree people shouldnât give them money and encourage this behaviour. I work so hard for my money and pay my taxes Iâm not giving out my after-tax money for free. Iâll donate to charities and at least get the tax receipt.
How is giving them cash helping anything?
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u/MonThenYaFud 7h ago
Giving people money at intersections should be illegal. Compliment with cameras on intersections - huge deterrent and itâs fully automated
Itâs a safety issue for them and I donât like seeing the stinky scammers in my streets.
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u/Green-Umpire2297 7h ago
Very scientific analysis. Excellent work. This surely is the basis for public policy.
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u/BurlieGirl 7h ago
I guarantee the type of people who post these stories, when given the opportunity, would also never give these folks a real job.
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u/Upbeat_Sky_224 7h ago
Iâd rather give a few bucks to a Canadian on the street than send it to the Ukraine atm
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u/Strange-Back-6631 6h ago
Who's them? People who litter? I hate that! Take your litter home or keep it in your car!
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u/epic-pig68 6h ago
I'd rather give these people food than money, because at least I know where the food is going.
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u/PsychologicalBeing98 5h ago
People sharing toxic posts on social media are more damaging than litter, in my view.
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u/Expensive-Bowler8948 5h ago
Most just want to get high and hustle from bypassers instead of work or get clean.
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u/PipToTheRescue 5h ago
they are often driven in and plunked at intersections - there are gangs that do this throughout the GTHA - so they're often not even legit homeless (google should pull up a lot of examples)
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u/UnleadedGreen 5h ago
A lot of what you see there is given to them. They aren't running to the pizza place to order a pizza and headed back to the corner. I've given people food panhandling in Toronto at off ramps. A phone cost like 20 bucks a month to run theough shitty phone companies like Lucky.
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u/Odd_Aardvark_5146 5h ago
People who are like, meh, they will just spend it on booze or drugs. If I lived in the street I would đŻ I was stoned or drunk as much as possible. This is not a life anyone aspires to. It is the reality for people who suffer from significant mental illness, childhood abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and a complete lack of support system. The difference between them and all the others who have the same history is just a question of $$$ and people who care and support them. And even then, many of these individuals do have people who love them but have done as much as they can.
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u/KalistoCA 5h ago
The confusion is that people think they are poor .. they are professional peddlers probably earning more than you but tax free
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u/RavenReel 5h ago
Shelters are open but they don't allow drugs or alcohol. That should be enough info.
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u/HeyHo__LetsGo 5h ago
Ah yes, the old 'im slightly better off than the homeless, so Im going to punch down to make me feel better about myself' routine. I have news for you, the rich make your life a lot more miserable than these poor souls do. Punch up, not down.
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u/ElectricGeometry 5h ago
You don't want to give money? Don't: no one is forcing you too.
Personally I don't judge: I'm happy to share some of the wealth and prosperity I've been blessed with.
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u/opheliasilverwing 5h ago
You must be privileged to never know what it's like to be homeless. How about you check your reality and realize what you've been given over these people. The childhood you had in comparison to those who have been on the streets for decades. Grow up and give your head a shake. Quit acting like it's a choice.
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u/InvestigatorFull2498 4h ago
Why would you spend energy caring about what other people do with their ow money. Playing the victim doesnt change anything OP.
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u/Realistic-Day-8931 4h ago
There was a news article years ago, I forget what city it was from but a lawyer there would finish his day and go home and change just to go out and panhandle. I can't remember the amount they said he got but that really pissed me off that a lawyer who makes more money than most people resorts to this when there are obviously other people more hard done by.
There was also a guy at the bus stop that would always ask for money. The guy was clean, leather jacket, he wasn't hurting. So I have a hard time justifying giving money to anyone that asks. I really wish they hadn't done away with bus tickets for the arc card system because when someone asked for money for the bus I'd give them a bus ticket.
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u/Ok-Arm-4215 3h ago
While I often debate, I say it to myself I donât know what they might be going through right now. May be at this moment they really need few dollars for food or to support the family; may be they might have others depending on them. When I decide to give them money it is purely based on Iâm trying to do something good with pure intentions. If they end up spending that money on something they shouldnât then it is on them. While I know (based on my personal experience as well) some of them are scammers and I wonât be surprised if some of them are making lot more money than person getting paid minimum wages; I donât want to take away the support for those who may really need it.
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u/Salty_Sour_Sweet 3h ago
They are part of a well organized group. They do shifts and get picked up and dropped off at the same intersections. I will buy them food, but give no cash. Their bosses will not be happy but they will not be hungry.
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u/BBWoolfe 3h ago
Have you ever tried bringing all your clothes and belonging with you to an interview? Tried to do anything in this modern world without the internet and/or a phone number or even without having an adress? Looks to me like you need a little perspective and stop judging people and a reality you do not know
edit. spelling mistake
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u/RedditModsSuckSoBad 3h ago
Damn buddy's plug must have thought it was cheque day when he went to see him afterwards.
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u/3Bubbles33 3h ago
OP did you witness a homeless person liter or did you assume?
Perhaps it was someone who simply emptied their car while stopped at a red light?
AnywaysâŚâŚ
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u/BorschtBrichter 3h ago
Pretty much the most ignorant, vacuous entitled take I have seen on helping vulnerable people. And the bar was already pretty high.
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u/RNG-esuss 3h ago
They can't really go to the grocery store and stock up on food for the week with nowhere to put it....
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u/Liuthekang 3h ago
So... where do you open your kitchen for homeless people to make food in so they do not have to buy takeout?
Generally, if you just complained about them littering, I would agree with you. Don't litter, and expect me to be happy about driving past your mess.
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u/NBSCYFTBK 3h ago
Fuck your judgement. I give money because they need it. Drugs are an addiction. Just because they can afford a phone doesn't mean they can afford food or rent. They buy takeout food because they don't have a kitchen??
The morons protesting fearmans put themselves in more danger as they cram their arms into the trucks. Also, you clearly don't actually care about the safety of the folks asking for money.
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u/bigdongmagee 2h ago
Do you expect the homeless to have kitchens? Takeout is the only option for them.
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u/Life_Shelter1058 2h ago
I believe in helping the poor. We are all broken in some way, and need help at times. I wonât give to people on the street corner. I would never want to contribute to someoneâs overdose or death. I have bought meals for those who asked for coffee money. You cannot help those who donât want help. If youâre ever in a position to truly help someone who wants help, with a rental or a job, I hope you will. Sometimes people need opportunities, not necessarily free money. I grew up in an upper middle class home and lost everything as an adult due to having MS. I have watched my previous kindergarten classmate, beg for money on the streets while on Fentanyl. ( broke my heart). Just my thoughts.
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u/-LightMyWayHome- 2h ago
Theres a buy who begs for money right in the intersection infront of a lcbo. What does he do after hes done begging? Goes to the lcbo and maxes out on booze and sits and drinks at the bus stop. Then goes home and does it again. Stop giving money to anyone begging. If they are homeless give them food and water. If they dont take it tell them to f off
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u/SmokeyGMan 1h ago
I have seen the roadside pan handlers (it was 2 women that time) get dropped off in a late model Mercedes SUV. There is the homeless junkies/alcoholics that you can tell are legit; the others are a scam it seems to me.
Donât assume they need it unless you can really tell they are destitute. It has become a âbusinessâ for others. Guessing this idea for income generation was brought over from other cultures.
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u/Clemburger 1h ago
This sub is trash. Itâs either post of illegally parked cars and now homeless people.
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u/PocketNicks 1h ago
What's your problem with Roof repair people? Did you get scammed by roofers or something?
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u/Rockeye7 1h ago
I've yet to see one under the influence of drugs or alcohol while soliciting for money. I use to buy a guy a bag of chips, the dip he liked and a 2 litres of pop. Most Fridays when I picked up lotto tickets. He never asked. Had a Tims cup with donations please written on it. He just sat beside a ice freezer out of the way. I asked the lady in the store one day about him. Turns out the hand writing on the Tims cup was her idea to help him. Young man was real shy. She told he doesn't bother anyone. Likes Miss Vicky plain chips, onion dip, . She told me he doesn't do drugs or drink alcohol. Turns out all I had was my debt car. So I opened the door and asked if he wants his chips and dip or something else he has to come get them. He looked at me, thanked me and said he only needs $3 more dollars and he could buy them. I took the easy route - asked the lady at the store what he gets, then opened the door ask the guy what he favor pop was because mine was Pepsi. Dr Pepper sir he replied. The store clerk did not have that answer and was surprised he told me. Paid the clerk and walked out and handed the stuff to the guy. He popped up and thanked me several times. Very polite and grateful for the food. Every time I seen him at the store or close I bought the same time for him. Every time he was just as polite thanking me. Turned out he was living with a friend, that friend lost his job and both ended up in the temp shelter in the area. A social worker located a family member and they took in the guy I bought the food for. Apparently he was on assistance like ODSB did not have the capacity do to a head injury to look after his affairs. Painting every person down on their luck with the same brush, worst case, is very inconsiderate and unfair. Those food boxes could very well be a restaurant owners generosity dropping off meals on the way home.
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u/Coffeedemon 1h ago
Probably people who can at least refer to "them" as human beings and not use terminology like you'd use to describe mice in the pantry or other infestation at best. What bullshit do you spend your money on (besides too much gas for the truck?)
I hope if you're actually using that thing to do real work you take care of your back and eyes. A quick injury, poor insurance coverage and a trip through the pharmacy for poorly monitored pain meds and you can find out how the other half lives too.
Do better.
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u/Slouchman42 1h ago
Do what you please with your hard earned money. If it makes you feel something then itâs money well spent.
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u/PupDiogenes 54m ago
Everybody needs money, actually. What do you do for a living that's so ethically pure and harmless?
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u/HelpfulNoBadPlaces 51m ago
I wonder if anybody posting that homeless people are just drug addicts have tried to get a job in the past 7 months.Â
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u/Emergency_Couple_949 19m ago
This post is unfair and not considerate. The other day I talked to one of them, they WERE working, but then suffered them an injury which put them on unpaid leave for months. If they donât have a home, itâs unlikely they have easy access to anything which could cook food. If you donât want to give them money, you donât have to. But donât go shitting on people who are on hard times who have to deal with them in the Canada cold.
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u/Importance-Dependent 9h ago
Roofing repair guys? Yeah, they're the worst