Brianna Bailey, Staff Writer
Photos by Laura Fox
After gaining personal exposure to various panhandlers and homeless families the past four months, I’ve concluded there is a wrong and right way to help or enable them.
Living in the heart of Manhattan, between my walking commute to my internship and taking the subway on several stops to my job, I saw a lot, from businessmen to mothers with children, young adults and several homeless people.
At first I was confused when I would see people sleeping on the trains until I realized they paid to have a warm place to sleep for the day or night. Then I walked by the exact same people in the same places with their signs begging for money. If you stopped to listen they would gladly share their sob story, which you would then feel obligated to contribute something. After awhile, you become desensitized because there are so many of them and how do you choose who or how to help?
It wasn’t until I noticed the same homeless man sleeping on the corner of my block in his sleeping bag night after night that it really struck me. There is a difference between these people begging for money with no effort to make a life for themselves and the people just trying to get by.
I finally stopped and offered some leftovers I had, which led me to be greatly enlightened. I learned my new friends name was Thomas, and he didn’t even want my food. Though he eventually took it and conversed with me, he was just happy to have someone to talk to. New York City can be a lonely city regardless of the population.
Thomas shared with me that while he did not want my money, he appreciated my food but what he really wanted was a snowsuit. He wasn’t trying to con me into donating money that would enable him to indulge in addictive habits. He was just trying to get by. He shared his efforts in finding work but opportunity for people like him are scarce in the city.
Though it wasn’t much, every day as I would walk by I left him a bottle of water to wake up to while he was sleeping. I felt this was doing more for him than my money even though he wasn’t asking. I’m not sure if he ever knew it was me leaving small things for him, but I hope he felt a hand of kindness in a city too busy to care at times.
This is when everything came full circle. Is my five dollars really doing any good when I drive by Center Street in Provo or is it being wasted soon after it’s taken? There are people who want to make a difference and help, which is great, but share your food, water, blankets and coats before you share your wallet.
Recently, KSL did an investigative article in which they allowed panhandlers to share their stories and took time to observe and research the validity of what was shared. The results they found were that most people interviewed had a history of felonies, arrests or drugs and alcohol problems. The investigative team also discovered that some people from the corners were being picked up and dropped off in cars and returning to homes at night.
In the KSL article, “Business of Begging: The real stories behind Utah panhandling,” by Mike Headrick, a quote said, “People get stories, and they find the stories that are going to be the most compelling,” Mathis said. “You shouldn’t confuse homelessness with panhandling.”
After being in the city for four months, many panhandlers I witnessed had their beer right next to them along with their cigarettes. Although panhandlers in the county and throughout the state might not be so obvious, really consider where your money is going.
Although not everyone on a street corner is being deceiving with their story, there are better ways to reach out and make a difference. Donations are always accepted on foodandcare.org. It is the website for Food & Care Coalition, an organization with many objectives and resources to help those on the streets get off and make better lives for themselves. This is an organization that makes your dollar count if that is how you’d like to help.
Education about panhandlings and homelessness is key to solving the problem of how to properly help others struggling. Choose to help in effective ways that really will make a difference in someone’s life.
