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1. lnxw48a1 (lnxw48a1@nu.federati.net)'s status on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2021 16:58:42 EDT lnxw48a1
   The little boy in the Target parking lot was back again yesterday.
   
   "Excuse me, sir. Me and my family are homeless. Do you think you can spare a couple of bucks to helps us get somewhere to stay tonight?"
   
   I have to decide:
   (1) Do I continue to give him a little money each time, at the risk of it being a scam?
   (2) Do I refuse to give him any money, at the risk of making a legitimately homeless family's life harder?
   
   Now, I do know that even if they get enough for a night in a motel, that doesn't help solve the long-term problem (assuming this isn't a scam). And currently having zero income myself, there is a limit to how much I can help anyway.
   1. GeniusMusing (geniusmusing@nu.federati.net)'s status on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2021 19:47:11 EDT GeniusMusing

      in reply to
      @lnxw48a1
      @simsa04
      
      Change of Subject: Beggars, Inc.
      https://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2013/03/beggars-inc.html
      
      Having seen many in my time in the Chicago area I changed what I did based on where/when.
      
      Outside a gas station being asked on the way in/out for "a couple of bucks for coffee/food" I would ask them what they wanted. If they answered with items the station had and I had the extra funds I would get them the coffee/sandwich/slice of pizza and give it to them. Someone that only wanted the money typically got a hard no. I don't mind helping people but it was rumored (no link found, it was a long time ago but I do remember reading about it) that there was someone in the Chicago area who sold flowers/peanuts/newspapers at the off ramps that usually made around $100,000 a year. Tax free. And drove a Cadillac to a nice house when done. They also looked the part, ratty clothes, etc but always clean shaven, but one day they forgot to change their shoes and the Air Jordan's (in 1985 they were $65 and other sneakers were $15-$30) gave it away. Since they I have always been weary of people begging. As for the kid, I would look to see who is watching him, there is almost always an adult "guiding" them as they are rarely alone and that would be enough to make me weary of a scam.
   2. lnxw48a1 (lnxw48a1@nu.federati.net)'s status on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2021 21:47:43 EDT lnxw48a1

      in reply to
      I have two sets of grandchildren whose families are financially struggling, so it isn't like there's not a good use for my resources.
      
      As for the child in the Target parking lot, not seeing the adults is one of the things that bothers me. They're exposing him to risks including the risk that someone will call social services about parents not taking proper care of him. That could result in the government seizing control of him.