[emge]

My general belief is that handouts outside of relationship rarely solve anything.
Some of my friends have been homeless - some as children, some as adults. Some have parents that are still homeless.

However, I think that older cultures without a social safety net had a bit of a different definition of "alms" and "beggar" than we do.

I'm not saying any religious exhortations to give to someone who asks of you don't still apply, but personally I think we're to use our brains about it.

I know people with real needs, but I also know people who couldn't afford groceries, had people give them $20, and blew it on fake nails and coffee... and then did it again with a different person. How many of the panhandlers near Jackson do I see heading right into the LCBO with the money they're given, or to meet their dealer? I'm not a fan of just enabling that crap either.

Not that life hasn't been tough and they aren't coping as best they can, but I'm not going to enable that particular coping mechanism... I'd rather support initiatives that address the root issues, and will continue to do so.

That's my wine tonight and my own studies at Mac talking... combined with a general cynicism and knowing people who have made bad choices.. some stayed in, some got out. Some had kids who are now teenagers I work with.