tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958318780617238135.post1267017759339409828..comments2023-10-30T03:11:18.399-06:00Comments on To Knit and Write: Shopping, a Question, and Friday Fill InsGeorgihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019991448147686889noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958318780617238135.post-55462028826527217472009-12-14T14:21:13.659-07:002009-12-14T14:21:13.659-07:00I've seen them work in "shifts" on t...I've seen them work in "shifts" on those corners. One person will come by to relieve the other person who was there.<br /><br />Some of them earn much more than my mother receives from her retirement. While mom has to judicious about her spending, some panhandlers take their earnings and spend on simple "luxuries" instead of actual "necessities". My mom sometimes jokes that they live better than she does.smariekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09100767973885900243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4958318780617238135.post-88404782454801818602009-12-07T06:30:06.758-07:002009-12-07T06:30:06.758-07:00You know, my husband lost his job (and the accompa...You know, my husband lost his job (and the accompanying $82,000) last year, and we didn't beg on the streets.<br /><br />I've read and heard too many stories about panhandlers who are "managed" by what I call pimps. They're given a cut of what they make each day, sometimes a couple thousand a week. They're picked up and dropped off and just have to stand there and beg. I won't give money to someone who's begging. I won't give to the United Way (I know of some organizations right here who take money from them and use it in ways that are at odds with the grants they get). Sometimes I'll give to the Cancer Society. Mostly, though, I give to our Key Club at school, which raises $5000 (this year in just a month) for a needy person. This year, it's going to a teacher's son who was paralyzed in a car accident a year ago.<br /><br />I also give to the local SPCA and the Yorkie rescue group I'm a part of.<br /><br />I won't give to any organization that calls or mails to beg for donations. I won't give to the Salvation Army; I feel very uncomfortable walking past them on my way in and out of stores, but I know too many people who've scammed them of money.<br /><br />If I had enough money, I'd give to funds set up to help children with cancer, or preemies, big time.ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08670685934653870752noreply@blogger.com