Conference quark::human_relations-v1

    The first time I saw someone with a sign that said "Will Work For
    Food" I was in Colorado. People use to stand on the corner of
    Woodman and Academy. I think I used to see them near Cub Foods
    too.  The thought haunted me but I never did investigate why
    these people stood on the busy corners with signs.  When I saw it
    happening more and more, it raised my suspicions that it may not
    be a legitimate need.  Maybe this is a scheme somehow.  
    If a person's need is legitimate, then I am very sorry to see them
    resort to this.  I know these are very tough economic times.  
    Having a family to raise and no job is scary.  
    
    Kath

    
    
    This is a scene that I have viewed all to often.  Last year I
    was providing support to a road tour tht DEC was doing.  This tour
    brought us to many major U.S. cities.  As we traveled too and from
    airports, hotels and if luckly enough to get around I saw these
    un-fortunate folks in almost every city.  While we stopped at a
    local convience store I spoke to one of these guys.  He seemed
    very well educated, had been a finish carpenter for years and could
    not find a permanent job.  He had three kids ranging in age from
    1.5 to 6.5 years old.  He told me "my last job from this cruddy
    situation was painting some older womans home, I quoted her $400.00
    dollars with her supplies, $100 after 1/4, $100 after half and so
    forth, and all this was doing wsa buying the essentials".  
    
    Now, (not a political debate) why is the country spending billions
    on foreign aid and people here can't feed, cloth or enjoy their
    familes.  Yes, there may be some of these people out there tht are
    using this situation as a ploy....but I have to believe that most
    of these people are legit.
    
    Said state of affairs!  Maybe of these people who are spending
    considerable sums of money of campaigns should carry a sign say
    "run for office for food" and forget their campaig funds and big
    slaries if elected.
    
    Bob Montville

    Too bad this man in .0 didn't hitch to New Hampshire over the primary
    months. It would have been a good message to send to our future leaders
    and present leaders of the United States.

    Re .2    I was just thinking the exact same thing 
             last night when they announced on the news 
             the money (in the millions) that has been 
             raised to date for each candidates campaign.   
    
             And the economy probably won't improve over 
             the next 9 months because the President and 
             the politicians will be out trying to win votes 
             instead of doing the job they are paid to do!
    
             Pretty sad state of affairs....
    

There's been plenty of such people wandering around New Hampshire.  They show
up in the newspapers periodically.

				Steve

    Unfortunately, our cynicism is also brought about by these economic
    times. I've heard of more rip offs, scams, and schemes in the past
    year than I've ever heard of before.  I bet everyone has been
    approached by the companies that call you and say "you've won 
    a free trip, call 1-900-xxx- and claim your prize." Or the
    loan folks who will provide anyone with a loan, despite their
    credit history...just pay them $250 and they'll send you the loan.
    It tough to know who to trust nowadays. Sheesh even some of the clergy
    and police can't be trusted!   
    In the parish I belong to, we have a center where the needy can go
    for groceries, clothes, furniture, etc.  Our pastor has admitted
    that some people have pulled the wool over the center's eyes and
    taken advantage of the situation. One couple from Vermont was hitting
    all the churches in the area, and making a good living out of it. 
    People have a right to be selective about their generosity.  
    
    Kath

.0>                            -< Will work for food >-
    
    From what I've read in the newspaper and magazines, when people
    approach many of the "will work for food" crowd, it turns out
    they won't. But they will take handouts. Cash, not food.

    I thought .8 was very well said...the homeless have always been dear to
    my heart having lived close to Rosie's and the Pine Stree Inn.  I have
    seen the lines of people looking for temporary work at an office on
    Albany Street.
    
    My favorite charities are for the homeless...I know my dollar does well
    and I have seen with my own eyes that the "will work for food" crowd
    will do exactly that.

    The first time that I saw one of the "will work for food" was on a trip
    to Atlanta, Ga. I must admit that I was moved and the man looked quite
    genuine.

    Those who appear to think that they want money rather than food can
    quickly test their hypothesis by offering the guy some work. At the
    best you will have fed someone in exchange for work and at the worst
    proved your suspicions to be true.

    It is strange how the begging habits vary from place to place. Where I
    live, in the Netherlands, you are asked for loose change by the native
    beggars. Most foreign ones attempt some "street entertainment" then
    pass the hat, this varies form professional performances to putrid.

    There is one exception which is the "Moslem immigrant wife". She trails
    the street with a small boy, usually as her command of the language is
    poor, she carries a note which explains that her husband has left her
    and she has no money. She is extremely embarrassed and close to tears.
    Giving her money has a peculiar result. The child, who has until now
    been looking sullen and bored, suddenly becomes active and demands that
    the cash be given to him as he is now the "man" of the family.

    I inevitably inform the child that, if he is the man, then he must ask
    for the money and not leave it to his mother. It does not go down well.

    In France beggars stand outside the church or supermarket with a
    container and a notice telling of their plight. They never ask for
    money and are very polite should you give them anything.

    Visiting Boston a couple of years ago I say the homeless. They again
    asked politely and seemed very embarrassed when doing so.

    On Saturdays when we go shopping a lady begs outside the hypermarket
    we visit. She is happy and cheerful and gets loose change from nearly
    everyone. Mind you I think her Salvation Army uniform helps.

    Jamie.

    thee was a "will work for food" person near tha auburn mall for a
    couple of weeks last year.  He was at a very strategic light.  He was
    interviewed by worcester magazine and was very evasive.  He wouldn't
    even stop begging to give his full attention span to the reporter, and
    wouldn't give his name.  In the 20 minutes that the reporter was with 
    him, he collected about 8 dollars.  This was not during rush hour.  The
    day after the reporter interviewed him he was gone

    Newsweek did an article on one guy who was offered some yard work
    and then turned it down, and then was offered a trip to the grocery
    store and turned that down too.

    He kept saying that he would take cash, though.

    Not all are scams, but many are.

    There was a guy who was sitting at the light just before the
    Burlington Mall after I got off 128N...
    Someone (a woman, I think) rolled down her window and gave him a couple
    of bucks...whether he was for real or not, it appears to be pretty
    effective...
    
    B.

RE:  Note 1237.8  FDCV06::BAKSTRAN                                     

>For every one scam there are five needy.  If you buy a bag of apples, and you
>get one bad one out of 20, do you throw the other twenty away.  

BAD comparison... and your figures are probably manufactured to support your
apple story.

>Nothing is easy, it may take a five minute conversation with someone to
>determine whether or not that person really needs your help.  You may  get
>taken, you may give $1 to someone who doesn't really need it, but then again...

So who's going to take five minutes to interview everyone with a sign?
     
>Its just to people who feel they've been  burned and continue to use that
>excuse.... I just wonder how many of those people, buy scratch tickets, or
>lottery tickets... Do you win every time you buy a ticket... Then why do you
>continue to by more?   

Another BAD comparison.  You know you'll probably be donating the money.  And
it can be said that the lottery tickets are helping build parks, at least in
Colorado.

>    But you can give support, a wave or smile as you pass by in your car.

I doubt that that's what the folks with the signs care about, whether they are
for real or not.

RE:  Note 1237.16 FDCV06::BAKSTRAN                                     

>    It will never happen to you I'm sure.  DIGITAL isn't projecting
>    any more layoffs, correct?  The economy is only getting better
>    correct?  You'll still get that hamburger for lunch today, and
>    life goes on......

I never said any of this, Bakstran.
    
>    You're right.. how insensitive of me to use BAD comparisons.. afterall
>    its the comparisons that ARE the important issue correct. Let me call
>    my Bentley professors and work those numbers...Unreal, be creative
>    and read beyond the figures.  

No need to blow a fuse.  Your comparisons were out of place.

>A park is a much more effective use of local money after all what benefit is
>there in feeding the homeless.  Actually, it will give the homeless another
>place to stay.. correct?

1st, YOU MADE A BIG DEAL about lottery tickets.  I was only saying that those
tickets did some good.  2nd, the subject was on "people working for food" and
NOT about the homeless.  Though homeless might hold the "will work for food"
signs, its not a given.

>    Keep evading the issue, you're not alone.

Try staying on track.  You're jumping rails, Bakstran.

    I've deleted the base note.  Unfortunately, the discussion has gone beyond 
    what the original intent of the note was.
    
    Thanks to all of you who offered help and offline suggestions.
    You've made a difference.
      

    "If I can't play, I'm taking my ball and going home."

    
    I've seen the homeless many times and yes in Colorado where I'm from,
    but when it really hit home to me just how sad this nation is in the
    uncaring for the homeless was right after I moved to Houston this past
    May........
    
    I was downtown heading for a business meeting with an Oil Company - it
    was hot and raining very badly - I didn't have an umbrella and was
    getting soaked and was not pleased at how drenched I was getting just
    before going into an important business meeting (what can I say, I'm
    not used to the "down-pours" in Texas).  I was walking past a small
    cafe and happen to notice an elderly woman sitting at the corner of
    the building where this cafe happened to be.  She was very thin, had
    short gray - extremely messy hair, clothing with many holes, and was
    barefooted.  she looked right at me and my heart literally sank - I
    could honestly see the pain in her eyes.  That picture is forever
    imprinted in my mind and something I will never forget.
    
    i know that many people say that alot of those who are "sign-holders" -
    "will work for food" people are just a bunch of con-artists and
    probably make a fair share at holding their signs - and I think alot of
    that could possibly be true - but the woman I saw downtown that day
    certainly wasn't a "sign-holder" and my heart goes out to those who
    honestly can't provide - I wish I could do more to help than just be
    able to donate now and again when my own pockets can afford it.
    
    -Lynn
    

    <<<We had a work for food person near Shaws in Merrimack, NH. I myself
    did nothing and felt bad about it.   The next day my wife informed me
    that she had gone back into Shaws and bought a sixty dollar gift
    certificate and given it to the man.  I was very proud of her and we
    surely won't miss the sixty very much.....
    
    Jim

    Hi this is my first reply to any notes in this conf.
    
    Our church helps feed the homeless in the Marlboro area. We do one
    Sunday every other month. The first time we served dinner one lady
    said to me these people look like they could work. Sure they can and
    alot do but after rent and expense, there could be no money left to buy
    food with if you are getting paid min wages. These people are very
    thankful for the food they get.
    
    There is also one gentleman who help set up the hall before he eats.
    
    sl

   Re:                     <<< Note 1237.22 by ESDNI0::LEPIRE >>>

Getting together with other people in the community as you
described seems to me much more effective than trying to respond
individually to individual cases.  It doesn't provide the
immediate emotional feedback, but it probably provides more real
help to people who really need it.

fwiw,

Dick