Panhandler License Law
All panhandlers must first obtain a $10 permit before doing any begging in the downtown area of Memphis,TN. The residents of Memphis must really hate the homeless!
Sec. 20-28. Panhandling.
(a) [Generally.] The purpose of this section and legislation is to regulate and punish violations of the act of panhandling, rather than the status of the person.
Exclusion. The activities of panhandling do not include a person who passively stands or sits with a sign or other indication that one is seeking donations, without addressing any solicitation to any specific person other than in response to an inquiry by that person.
Nothing in this section shall abrogate, or abridge provisions of City Code, Chapter 30, “Solicitation of Public Funds,” or the laws of state and federal government, or those laws regulating non-profit, religious, educational, civic or benevolent organizations.
(b) Definitions. [For the purposes of this section, certain terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this paragraph, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:]
Assault means assaultive offenses as set out in Tennessee Code Annotated sections 39-13-101, 39-13-102 and 39-13-103, and classed as criminal offenses.
For purposes of this City Code section 20-28, “assault” does not apply to “manner of panhandling” as set out in paragraph (f) hereunder and classed as a misdemeanor.
Aggressively beg means to beg with the intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods.
Beg means to ask for money or goods as a charity, whether by words, bodily gesture, signs, or other means.
Donation means nay item of value, monetary or otherwise, accepted by a panhandler.
Exempt organizations mean any non-profit, religious, civic or benevolent organization described in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Intimidate means to engage intentionally in conduct which would make a reasonable person fearful or feel compelled.
Also, for purposes of this section 20-28, a person commits the offense of intimidating others from exercising civil rights who:
(1) Injures or threatens to injure or coerces another person with the intent to unlawfully intimidate another from the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of the State of Tennessee; or
(2) Inures or threatens to injure or coerces another person with the intent to unlawfully intimidate another because that other exercised any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States or the Constitution or laws of the State of Tennessee.
Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic means when a person without legal privilege, intentionally, knowingly or recklessly walks, stands, sits, lies, or places an object in such a manner as another person or a driver of a vehicle to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.
Acts authorized as an exercise of one’s constitutional right to picket, or to legally protest, and acts authorized by a permit issued pursuant to this section shall not constitute obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Panhandler is any person, other than an exempt organization, acting on his/her own behalf, requesting an immediate donation of money or exchange of any services; or any person, acting on his/her own behalf, attempting to sell an item for an amount far exceeding its value, or where said item is already offered free-of-charge to the general public, and a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is in substance a donation.
Panhandling is the solicitation of any item of value, monetary or otherwise, made by a person, other than an exempt organization, acting on his/her own behalf, requesting an immediate donation of money or exchange of any services; or any person, acting on his/her own behalf, attempting to sell an item for an amount far exceeding its value, or an item which already offered free-of-charge to the general public, and under circumstances a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is in substance a donation.
Pedestrian interference means the obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic by aggressively begging which impedes the passageway or a pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Permit means the permit required under this section 20-28.
Public place mean an area generally visible to public view and includes, alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks and streets open to the general public including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.
(c) Permit required. Any person panhandling within the below described geographical or restricted areas shall be required to have a permit, as issued by the city treasurer, or his designee, in his/her possession at all times, subject to exhibition on demand by any person, and shall be subject to conditions as set out in the following paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i).
Restricted geographical areas. Without a permit, persons shall be restricted from panhandling in the following geographical areas:
Main Street Mall, and the connector streets.
Airport complex area.
Public parks, golf course, schools and playgrounds.
Municipal or governmentally owned offices.
Municipally owned recreational and exhibition buildings.
Central Railroad Station, and the connector streets.
Public library facilities.
Mid-South Fairgrounds complex area.
Public or dedicated thoroughfares.
Private properties or shopping malls, unless the owner, lessee, or person-in-charge has granted permission.
(d) Time of panhandling. Any person who panhandles after
sunset or before sunrise is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(e) Place of panhandling. Any person who panhandles when
the person solicited is in any of the following places is
guilty of a misdemeanor:
(1) At any bus, train, or trolley stop;
(2) In any public transportation vehicle or facility
including loading and unloading areas;
(3) In any vehicle on the street;
(4) On private property, unless the panhandler has
permission from the owner or occupant.
(f) Manner of panhandling. Any person who in a public place
panhandles in any of the following ways or manner is guilty
of a misdemeanor:
(1) By using profane or abusive language, either during the
solicitation or following a refusal;
(2) By panhandling in a group of two or more persons;
(3) By any statement, gesture, or other communication which
a reasonable person in the situation of the person
solicited would perceive to be a threat;
(4) By intimidating, obstructing pedestrian or vehicular
traffic;
(5) By assaulting or aggressively begging.
(g) False or misleading solicitation.
(1) Any person who knowingly makes any false, misuse, or
misleading representation in the course of soliciting a
donation is guilty of a misdemeanor. False or misleading
representations include, but are not limited to, the
following:
a. Stating that the donation is needed to meet a specific
need, when the solicitor already has sufficient funds to
meet the need and does not disclose that fact.
b. Stating that the donation is needed to meet a need which
does not exist.
c. Stating that the solicitor is from out of town and
stranded, when that is not true.
d. Wearing a military uniform or other indication of military service, when the solicitor is neither a present nor former member of the service indicated.
e. Wearing or displaying an indication of physical
disability, when the solicitor does not suffer the
disability indicated.
f. Use of any makeup or device to simulate any deformity; or
g. Stating that the solicitor is homeless, when he is not.
h. Stating the donation is for food but in reality is used
for “sidewalk” drugs, or illegal contraband.
i. Using and exposing minors/children to hazardous
conditions i.e., cold, heat, animals, weather and/or
strangers, to solicit funds.
j. To offer to sell newspapers, magazines, periodicals,
pamphlets for a price, which are offered free-of-charge to
the general public.
(2) Any person who solicits a donation stating that the
funds are needed for a specific purpose and then spends the
funds received for a different purpose is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
(3) This section and subsection establishes a single
offense. Evidence which establishes beyond a reasonable
double that the defendant violated the section or
subsection is sufficient for conviction and need not
establish which subdivision was violated.
(h) Accosting persons or obstructing traffic. Every person
who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a
misdemeanor:
(1) Who assaults, aggressively begs, intimidates or accosts
other persons in any public place or in any place open to
the public, for the purpose of panhandling or soliciting a
donation for immediate payment as defined in paragraph (b)
above.
(2) Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or
interferes at a time when a person, or the vehicle, is not
in a position to walk or drive away.
(3) Who accosts other persons in any public place, or in
any place open to the public, for donations if it is a
general and known fact to all reasonable people that
appropriate institutions, organizations, or charity groups
exist who make available the same daily necessities and
needs at no cost.
(i) Penalties for violation. Any person found violating of
any one or all of the above subsections of section 20-28 is
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof
subject to penalties as set under City Code section 1-8.
(Ord. No. 4211, � 1, 12-14-93; Ord. No. 4352, � 4, 8-15 95)
i think you people are full of ship you dum asses don’t know everbuddy situation so for you judge ever buddy you fuck head shound talk to them a lot of us panhandler just want a smile and people to act like we are less then you so you fucking dum asses came go fuck your self
I agree with you there all I do the same thing
i would like appplication for panhandling lic…….all i see is a lot of talk about it. where do i apply…….. i would like to become the frist internet panhandle,,, and use the funds to help other ….and with help from friends to set up a blog you could see the adventures of the internet panhandler ….. were the funds go ……… a new way to give with a new spin on a old practice ………and it wouldnt pay for bottle ,but instead a meal or a place for someone in need to sleep….. need help finding application …….see i am aready get good at this ……
I live in Reno/Sparks, Nevada and see panhandlers or people who beg every time I get off the freeway on my way to work. Not saying those people need help. My issue with these people is they receive free money from hard working people such as me, in which case they cheat the system by not paying taxes. I work and pay taxes to support public government funding. The politicians mismanage our tax revenue.
Now for those who were down and out and had to resort to panhandling/begging who rose above the clutches of poverty I commend you, as I could not bring myself to that level.
I have put my 16 year old granddaughter into an in home rehabilitation program in Utah. Shehas been there a month and now the insurance company says they will no longer cover her living expenses. This leave me with paying $3000 a month to keep her there or they have to let her go. These people are fantastic and I do not want her out till she she is fixed completely. Financially, I can not afford the $3000 per month. I am exploring other methods, victims witness among othrs, but I am considering going out and taking a sign reading PLEASE HELP ME KEEP MY 16 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN TEEN REHAB. and hand out a flyer showing the facility she is in. Can you give me some advice or pointers?
I have a few things to say about this.
first let me say that in 2009 I end up be homeless and was pregnant.
i tried to find work every day to no avail. as a result i was forced to turn to panhandling in the evening,(after looking for work all day) just so i could get things i needed(bus fare for job searching for the next day,food, money to was my cloths and for personal care items.
in oct of 2009 i went to a thing that was be held by a lot of organizations that where suppose to help the homeless.
well to get to the point:
when i asked for any help to get off the streets i was told that at this time there isn’t any thing we can do for you, you have to have the baby first(at this time i was about 8 1/2 months along).
i tried to get help with welfare (cash assistance) and even with a letter from my doctor stating i was to be on bed rest and not be working or even walking i still couldn’t get any help, because i was told i had to go to this 6-8 orientation (to learn about getting a job and all) and then wait 2 days to see if i was approved before i could get cash assistance. well i did this 6 time in less then 4 weeks and each time i was told i did not complete some thing or i did not answer a question correctly(this happened 3 times even after the assistant helped me and made sure every thing was completed and that my answers were correct)
as a result of this my baby was taken from me because i was home less when she came 9 days early on christmas day 2009.
this is my story that i wanted to share because i am so sick of people making rude comment about this and judging all panhandlers as if we are all lazy homeless bums who drink or do drugs
not all people who panhandle are lazy drunks and druggies, or are they always homeless bums.
I am nether lazy nor do i do drugs or drink.
i look for work every day then panhandle to my enough for bus fare and a cheap hotel/motel room.
so before you speak please stop to think.
what would you do if this was some one you knew or if this was even you.
BTW, Ward, while I’m sure you spoke to Terry directly, or at least one of the underlings, I’d like you to keep in mind two things.
1. The Union Mission is doesn’t deal with panhandlers. They deal with the homeless.
2. The Union Mission is primarily a religious outreach program. They’re a church, not a charity. Their stated goals are to push their religion and not necessarily to help their fellow man. Some of their policies exhibit this, to the detriment of their clientele.
3. All charities and churches will always tell you that they’re short of funds. This is because they are, no amount of donations is ever enough to fight the problem. They’re continuously short of money. However, examine the actual books and you’ll find that donations are up over the last few years, even if it is still far from enough.
I personally do not donate to the Union Mission because of its nature as a religious organization. However, they have seen increased support since the panhandling problem has decreased and people are not giving as much money to scammers.
Ward Walker: You, sir, are a fool. And that’s just about all there is to be said about that. You continue to deny the evidence before your very eyes.
I have lived here eight years. I have never seen a homeless person ask anybody for anything. I have, on the other hand, seen many panhandlers. Many of them are wanted criminals. All of them have criminal records, for drugs or violent assaults. I have personally called the police when I found them and had many of them arrested before.
You don’t see the homeless on the street because they’re not out on the street and they’re not panhandling. The people you see panhandling are criminals, drug users, and scam artists who *are not homeless*. Let’s make this perfectly clear. You can follow many of them and watch them get in their cars and return to their homes at the end of the day. These two sets of people are *not the same*. They do not intersect.
If you want me to point out the people to you and tell you their damn *names* then I can do so. So can many other people in downtown Memphis. I know what I’m talking about, and by denying that, you are just a fool.
Again with your hooey, Otto. I am sitting right here in Memphis… and by the way, if all these efforts at criminalizing a narrow sector of the population are so effective, how is it that Memphis is still edging closer to the top of the list of filthiest cities? ( Just last week moved up to #3 ) Because it is basically a detrius dumpster teeming with bigots who say little catch-phrases like “homeless problem”. You see, Otto, you completely tipped your hand with that little phrase.
How much better it would be to see the annual monies that are currently wasted by the PD on their city-wide propaganda campaign ( with tens of thousands of dollars spent on signs placed all over the city ), better spent on actually providing services. Maybe the crime rate in this filth-bag worthless craphole would go down if the chickens*** MPD decided to actually go after criminals who are perpetrating crimes against other people and not someone who merely asks for change. Just easier for the pigs to jack-up, intimidate, harass, and jail an unarmed person?
Aggressive panhandling is illegal pretty much anywhere, outlawing a passive activity engaged by a narrow sector of the populace is simply discrimination. Who cares about people standing on a corner? Just because you don’t want to see them, then don’t look!!!! Oh, no, Memphis can’t do that… instead, the redneck white-trash stare and denigrate with disparaging words and feigned ivory-tower snobbishness. Your claims about more money going into the local charities in the past four years… BS. Straight up BS. You know you are full of it, but you thought noone else here lived in the area, and you wouldn’t get called on it. Yeah, just got off the phone with the business director for the mission that has been established here for decades… his knowledge far exceeds yours and his data completely contradicts yours. Nice try. The only thing that has “improved” for you is that you don’t have to look at the “homeless problem”. BTW, Otto, where exactly did you say you volunteer?
Well, while it’s really nice for all of you to sit there and judge, let me tell you the actual facts of the matter.
My comment above, written a few years ago, is not a matter of my personal opinion, it is a simple fact. I live in downtown Memphis. I know the local panhandlers. I also know the local homeless. The two are *not* the same thing, and they do not intersect. This is not a matter of opinion, *I actually know who these people are*. So does pretty much everybody else who lives in downtown Memphis.
We’ve gone further now and pretty much made panhandling outright illegal in most of the city, and the problem has gone way down. Furthermore, the money being given to the shelters and charities has gone way up, and the situation for those truly in need is better than it was even 3 years ago.
So you can sit there typing away on your computers, but my comments from 2007 stand. This law and the subsequent actions taken have benefited the city and helped with the homeless problem.
Panhandling is not equal to homeless, and only somebody who doesn’t know the actual situation and who doesn’t deal with these people on a regular basis would think they are the same thing.
Yep, Otto, it is the *panhandlers* that make Memphis look shabby…NOT! Memphis is shabby because of the ignorant red-necks that throw their fast-food bags, walmart bags, and cigarette butts out of their cars. Memphis is shabby because of the lack of enforcement of the people that own houses there and fill their yards with trash. Memphis is shabby because of the drunk college students and yuppies who throw their empty bottles all over down-town after games and on week-ends when they come from the ‘burbs. Memphis is shabby because of your attitude…you want to blame someone else for what you and others like you refuse to take responsibility for.
And as far as your OPINION about others: Your assumptions about the character of a panhandler is simply your effort to excuse yourself from being the good person you pretend to be in the eyes of others. Giving has nothing whatsoever to do with the character of the receiver, it has everything to do with the character of the giver. In fact, when I give to panhandlers, I tell them “Thank-you” for the opportunity to be the good person that I know I am. I really could care less what they do with the money. They ask: if I can, i give. Any other attitude is just smokescreen for spinelessness and bigotry.
well its a nice article
I was recently homeless. I am Educated. Creative. Etc. Just shit on by my lovely country during this economy. Do you want to know who I REALLY met while homeless? I met an out of work plumber screwed by the housing crises. I met a professional who last year volunteered for the opera until his unemployment checks ran out, but still there was no job. I met a brilliant mathematician who also ran out of work. I met a jazz musician. I met an activist. I met awesome street kids shit on by abusive families, and a sometimes just as harmful system shuffling them through- they were strong enough and smart enough to say “NO MORE, NO WAY!” I met a true hippie living behind a dump in a secret community trying to build a green house and re-plant wildlife. You know who else I met? Workers at homeless meals and services yelling and screaming at us like we were cattle, demoralizing us and speaking to us as if we were all nuts. Not to say some people are nuts, but my favorite memory is of a guy who obviously had war ptsd- he often sputtered out the most profound shit. Things we should be thinking about. You should listen to him sometime. He wasn’t crazy, just broken. I know some people truly want to help, to those of you who respect us- THANK YOU. But come on guys, open your eyes to what some are calling “The New Homeless” We didn’t all fuck up our own lives. Look at our country, look at the lies. I encourage you to this- if you want to give to an organization, go and experience it as a homeless person at least three times. If you feel as though people respected you and actually made you feel safe, then donate. Do the same for pan handlers on the street. Trust your intuition. Actually talk to someone to find out a thing or two, then trust that sometimes the safest thing out there is for homeless people to know their OWN NEEDS. If you don’t want to give to a slurring bum, then don’t. If you want to give them a beer because it sure can get fucking cold out there, then share a beer!! There are my words, peace out!
i went out this morning to try to panhandle a few dollars. I start a job on the 1 of oct but i have bills to pay by then and the people have said no that they wont take a wait. so i went out to try to earn some. why get a job for only a week? (today is sep22) when i start the new job the first? i’m not homeless just need help but because i dont have kids and not disialbe i dont get any goverment help and all the “help” places say i make to much by living in my parent house. but i only was able to do it for an hour before the cops showed up, but i had fun the hour i was out there. my sign was ” 3 degrees and ALOT of sallie mae please help” so in most cases yes i agree they are addicts but every once in a while you never know there might be someone whoes just truely need a little bit of help.
Someone said… ask and it will be given… or some shit like that..you get my point…
If someone asks you for change and you think about all that everyone here has said… you have over thought and should shoot yourself. smiley face
What you give should be given out of your own heart… either give or don’t and don’t worrie what the money goes to… just call it kartma
for those that lived off herbs and fishing poles… damn homie I never thought of doing all that.. I hate fish.. scared of the bones.. Did you make a fire downtown or something? I dont see a fucking river running threw L.a!!! And if there is shit.. I sure as hell don’t have a license to fish yo!!!
You forget that not everyone has the same knowledge, experiences or opportunities like you.. people have been disadvantaging and attacking the poor for a longtime now; those whom show no mercy will get none in return. Scammers are everywhere (madoff ring a bell?); so are you really surprise to know scammers are among the poor when we have wolves in sheep clothing in big corporations and even in government?? leave poor people alone if your not going to genuinely help them, corruption exist everywhere.. giving to charities doesn’t solve the problem neither does putting your trust in governments or corporations. It takes each and every individual to do their part to help better their community by helping to better every person within that community.
That sounds an awful lot like socialism, hippy.
You’re right, Guy. That comment did sound very much like socialism. It’s a scary thought that there are people who actually delude themselves into believing that people who don’t work for a living deserve the rewards of those of us who do work for a living. It is that exact same mentality that convinces people that it is okay to steal from others.
I am homeless right now. the only thing I have is my car and a couch at a friends house. I’ve been this way since November 2009, when the army discharged me for being pregnant. I’m only 20 years old. I can’t get a job because I am 7 months pregnant and no one will hire me, nor can I find a place to live, or pay to see a doctor. I haven’t seen a doctor the whole time I’ve been pregnant. I’ve been non-stop job hunting and apartment hunting since I got here. I am not addicted to drugs, I do not smoke, and I don’t drink. I am obviously not looking for a “free ride,” I am trying to support myself and an unborn child. If I have to ask complete strangers for help then so be it. I can swallow my prde when it comes to the life of my baby. I am more than willing to work for my money, but obviously in my situation what can I do?
I have been on both sides of this. Let me tell you this… it is very likely that giving someone money it will go to drugs or alcohol and that it may or may not be the right thing to do. But… nonetheless, DESIESE IS AN ADDICTION.
Deny that if you wish but it is a medical FACT.
If you don’t believe in Addiction than DON’T BELIEVE IN CANCER… or AIDS.
It is a medical fact that addicts do N-O-T have the CLEAR-MINDED choice to say yes or no… that’s why it’s so hard to quit.
So, having been on both sides of this I say if you feel it in your heart to give someone asking for money- it is good. If they go buy drugs, get high- and die… it’s not your fault- you did the thing you thought was right.
Now, it is DEFINITELY a GREAT idea to go bring them Macdonald’s, water, bus pass, etc. Give them a bible, an AA or NA book… there is a LOT to do… but DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON THESE PEOPLE ALL-TOGETHER…
There is not ONE family in this world who doesn’t have SOMEONE connected to them SOMEHOW who is an addict (Friend or family member- they may be your friends friend, they may be your 3rd cousin- but EVERYONE is related to an addict somehow… that is a statistic)- be it prescription pills prescribed by a doctor or illegal narcotics.
Just imagine you are honeless. Do you know how many people are homeless because they can’t work and lost their home- or the breadwinner dies, whatever.
Just treat others how you’d want to be treated- you NEVER know where you will be tomorrow. The unthinkable has happened to many a person out of nowhere.
This is a TRUE one! Hurray!
I was homeless for 18 months, so I am speaking from experience and first-hand knowledge. To begin, I never panhandled – instead, I sold my plasma and did odd jobs at businesses, such as cleaning up bottles after bars closed, for money. Most cities of any size have free service facilities that the homeless can use where they get free food, counseling, medical care assistance, a place to sleep, shelter from the elements and free clothes. There is absolutely no reason why a person in need should have to resort to begging – ruining the reputation and economy of a community – in order to survive. I even went so far as to spend a bit of the money I was paid for my plasma to buy a cane fishing pole. I fished and I foraged for roots and herbs – and I ate like a king under the bridge where I slept. I came to learn, first-hand, that the majority of those who panhandle do so because they “are” lazy, they want a free ride through life, they know that they don’t have to pay taxes on what they get from begging (and it is often quite a lot) so they are getting one over on the IRS, and they are either drug and-or alcohol addicts. As for the people that give to the beggars – they may think that they are doing a good deed, but they are actually feeding the destructive habits of these beggars, enabling them to remain destitute, and encouraging even more destructive habits to come. I thank God that I never stooped so low as to beg, and that I never once took a single cent that I did not earn by way of honest work or trade. Today, because I adhered to my morales and beliefs, I am no longer on the streets. Instead, I own three very nice businesses, and I am able to travel and enjoy life the way it was meant to be lived.
You are a better man than I. And for that, I commend you. I agree with much that you said.
Unfortunately, people are lazy- but also, there are many with mental and physical disabilities… and, there are those who are just THAT low in life- feeling THAT bad about EVERYTHING that they see no point- in anything.
In a way you ARE enabeling them… but at the same time- I thanked God, and the person who gave me money- every day and every time- even though I was getting only three things with the money- gas, when I had a car, food and most often- heroin.
I lived in my car with my ex and our dog and panhandled to survive. I wish I could find a job making as much as I did panhandling. Now Im going back to college, working two jobs and looking for another and I dont make as much as I did then.
I smoke cigarettes. I dont drink. Im not addicted to drugs. So much of the money we made went to buying sleeping bags for food and other homeless people.
It gives you such an appreciation for the kindness of people, which I think we forget with all the negativity going on in the world.
I generally offer some sort of food rather than money. At least I know what was given from me was used in a safe manner (unless of course the person chokes).
i think that otto is being really unfair. some of these people cant get a job because there bad at stuff. i think that they should get paid for the things there good at
As much as I agree with a majority of your point, Otto, you really seem to be stereotyping two groups of people.
While it may be true that some panhandlers are not homeless, I am sure there are those who are, just as I am sure that some panhandlers and homeless people have addictions, but to say that all do is extremely unfair.
I agree with your closing statement: giving panhandlers and homeless folks alike is a risk, and is up to the individual as to whether or not he/she wants to give them money. Bus tokens are good alternatives, as are granola bars and water bottles: this way you can more directly see your impact than if you were to donate to a charity, but both are great options.
This is not a “dumb law”, nor does it have anything to do with being “homeless”. Panhandlers are most often not homeless, they’re just lazy bums who don’t want to work or are addicted to drugs or alcohol and can’t keep a real job. So they beg money off people instead, and make the city look generally shabby while feeding their own addictions.
Don’t give money to panhandlers. Give it to charities and missions and other organizations that *really* help those in need. Giving money to bums on the street only enables their addictions. But these organizations give something better: food, shelter, assistance. The best way to help a bum is not to give him money.
Otto you are really an uninformed dense thinking human being. Most charities here in the U.S.A. do not help people in need unless they have children and or very disable. In this economic crisis we are all in some of us have no choice but to ask others for help. I would like to also give my opinion on most homeless folks are mentally ill this is total b.s. this just gives people like yourself the easy out to sleep well in your warm bed at night thinking donating to a charity is the PROPER way to help others….it is not!!!