Lots around downtown here also. There is a small part that makes me feel bad and wonder what they have done through out their life to be that much down on their luck. Resorting to begging is the lowest point you can get too. Absolute desperation. Did they lose their job from their own faults, drugs, screwed up life from childhood? some people are just dealt a bad hand from birth. If I do give them something it is food of some sort, water bottle or even food gift card. Dont really like giving money just because it could be going toward booze, cigs or drugs. But occasionally Ill donate some pocket change
I do understand a large majority of homeless people are at fault of their own the way they are living, but it is possible to end up in that situation if a number of events happen that could suddenly send any of us that route.
What if you just happened to lose your job, you lost your home due to not being able to pay for it, or it burnt down without insurance coverage, didn't have any relatives, etc..........etc.................
It is possible and when a combination of those circumstances all just happen to hit at once, any of us could be there.....
I used to get off on this same exit every morning years ago. Same dirty looking guy would be sitting on a milk crate with a sign. Summer AND winter. One morning I watched as a woman in front of me rolled down her window and handed him what looked like a clear package of warm socks. He took them and thanked the lady. It gave me an idea. I hate helping these beggars but do on occasion. The next morning I put a pair of nice winter boots in a bag that didn't fit me anymore. Still in very nice condition. The next morning when it was my turn to pull up next to him and feel a bit guilty as he would look over at me with that sorry ass look on his face, waiting on the light to turn...I rolled down my window and handed him the bag with the boots. He oviously was thinking I was coming out of my pocket with some cash. He looked in the bag and with the most ungrateful look on his face asked me...well....what size are they?
Wanted to punch the fucker right there and then. Saw him days later walking with a girl as dirty as himself. Never again.