My heart breaks.............

[Bob Wright]

I had to go to the bank this morning, and used the drive-thru for that purpose. But on the way home I passed a near-by pawn shop. The parking lot was packed.

My heart broke since I figured those folks were recently out of a job, and were pawning hard earned and well loved artifacts to obtain money for food and rent.

Times are troublesome.

Bob Wright

 

[hittman]

Bet they were there BUYING guns and ammo .... not selling stuff just to get by!

 

[bogus bill]

Could be there looking for deals.

 

[Kevin]

I bought a gun on the internet last fall. It got shipped to a dealer, pawn shop who accepts transfers. As I was waiting in line, to pick it up, there were several people ahead of me, paying loans on installments, and another pawing some jewelry. It is sad to see.

Last week we took our dog to the vet. My wife was in the room with the doctor. I was in the lobby, and some woman was buying a special blend of cat food for her sick cat. She was concerned about how much it costs and when she had to pay. (They had to order it.) I really felt sorry for her and only after she left, I realized I wish I would have bought the cat food for her. I did actually think about it, when she was there but I don’t want to insult anyone. It was after she left, I wish I would have paid.

A couple months ago, some woman was struggling to figure out how to pay for some groceries ahead of me at Wal Mart. I did seriously want to buy them for her. But again, I didn’t want to insult her.

What would you have done, Bob?

There are a lot of people hard up these days, it is sad.

 

[Bob Wright]

What would you have done, Bob?

I hope I would have done something like this:

A man was in line behind a young and obviously hard pressed woman at the store. At the check out she came up some twelve dollars short. The man dropped a twenty dollar bill and bent over and picked it up. "I believe you dropped this, ma'am," he said as he handed her the twenty.

Hope I can be as helpful some day.

Bob Wright

 

[Bob Wright]

Bet they were there BUYING guns and ammo .... not selling stuff just to get by!

From the appearance of their vehicles, I doubt that.

Bob Wright

 

[KMK-678GC]

I was in a small somewhat depressed town last summer that is near my parents recreational property. Kids wanted icecream so I ran to the local small grocery store.

Ahead of me was a young woman with two toddlers buying groceries. Obviously hard pressed for money based on cloths and food stamp card. Anyway, when total rang up she was short and was going to put things away to reduce the bill. I didn't even ask her, I just put my card in the card reader and paid for it. Was nothing for my situation, but meant the world to her.

I say never second guess yourself if the thought occurs to help someone deserving e.g. mom with kids buying food and necessities, not booze and sigs. You will not regret it and never know it might turn the corner for them in some way!

 

[gramps]

It is difficult to see people continually make poor choices in life and end up in dire straits. If they are bailed out nothing changes. If you give a man a fish, you have fed him for today. Teach him to fish, and he can feed himself.
gramps who has paid for people’s restaurant bill anonymously.

 

[powder smoke]

Bet they were there BUYING guns and ammo .... not selling stuff just to get by!

From the appearance of their vehicles, I doubt that.

Bob Wright

Don't Be So Quick to Judge! Appearances are not fact. I drive an old truck know why?
I like it, I take in the woods No Problem I add another dent no biggie!

 

[hittman]

Don't Be So Quick to Judge!

Yeah, I seem to be putting more miles on my 99 Explorer than my 19 High Country!

 

[KMK-678GC]

It is difficult to see people continually make poor choices in life and end up in dire straits. If they are bailed out nothing changes. If you give a man a fish, you have fed him for today. Teach him to fish, and he can feed himself.
gramps who has paid for people’s restaurant bill anonymously.

Agreed Gramps! But kids don't make choices they are just born into situations. I don't give the addicts at each intersection around here a dime.

 

[bogus bill]

Years ago when I was a guard for a large company in California I got a call of a bum in the plant. When I found him he asked me what state he was in. The last he could remember he was in Texas. He was dirty, stinking and bloody. He had come in our train gate on a train. I drove him to a half way house in town and gave him some money. I hate paperwork and didn't make a report. Another time I got a call of a bum in the lady`s restroom. He was out of his mind, incoherent, stunk and dirty beyond belief. I rode with him in the ambulance to the local hospital. In checking him out I found he had been fired about a month prior. Evidently he had been living in the attics of the plant and probably eating old sandwich's etc out of the trash like the hunchback of notre dame. Maybe a month after that I seen a police drawing of him in the newspaper as a serial rapist they were looking for. Of course I told the SD the name to the face. I very seldom have given money to panhandlers that you see for years in front of Walmart etc. One time I was headed into a restaurant to meet with buddy's in a coffee clutch we all met at. A black older woman hit me up for gas money as she had ran out of gas saying she had to pick up her kids at school. One of my friends was watching and seen me give her some money. When we went in I told him her story. He said, Ya fool, this is (whatever holiday it was) and the schools are closed!
I was raised in Wisconsin in the 1940`s and 50`s. I NEVER seen a panhandler there back then. Asked my dad about it and he told me if one showed up the deputy would drive them to the county line and radio a deputy from that county to meet them and that deputy would do the same. I never seen panhandlers until I moved to California in the early 1960`s.

 

[Kevin]

Addicts on a street corner are different than a person who can’t pay for all the food they need.

Bob, I’ll try your suggestion sometime. Thanks.

 

[eveled]

I can’t give to everyone, so I don’t give to anyone. Plus I figure a huge percentage of my taxes is already being consumed by people who don’t want to work. I’m doing my part. I don’t mean to sound like Scrooge, but I’ve heard every sob story from every type of person, there is always more to the story. I’ve seen people buying meat and seafood with food stamps when all we had at home was peanut butter and hot dogs.

My responsibility is to my family, not someone else’s.

 

[Igor]

I was at the local gas station a while back, filling my truck. At the next pump over there was a couple counting out change.......trying to figure out much gas they could buy. They had two little kids in the back seat. Gas was around $3.39 a gallon, and they were up to about 2 bucks in change, maybe a little more. I just slipped my credit card into their pump, and told them to go for it. When the pump got to $40, I stopped it. They could not stop thanking me. I just wished them well, and away they went. Made me feel pretty good..............

 

[WAYNO]

I have a tremendous soft spot for poor. And there's little doubt I've helped folks I shouldn't have. My Mom's family was so terribly poor, and they didn't ask to be. It breaks my heart to have to judge who deserves to be poor and who doesn't. And I also expect folks will be selling off their possessions to survive.

I have been in a position where I didn't have a months cushion, financially. But I was blessed to always find a way. Not everybody is taught that ethic.

My wife worked for the school district many years. So many kids were poor and hungry because of their parents choices. And they will likely grow up poor, and not know how to escape that.

 

[wolfsong]

I help those that I can, when I can. No fanfare, no fuss. In the end everyone feels better, and life goes on.


Peace and God bless.

 

[bogus bill]

Got another story. I was driving a company truck from Wisconsin to California. In Nebraska I passed up a hitch hiker. Got to the next town and stopped for lunch. Came out and he was leaning against my truck. [Ya passed me up back thar!] Yeah, so? He had tried to come on strong but now changed his tune. Said he just need a ride a hundred miles or so the direction I was going by his sister. He looked to be about in his fifty's. He was dressed in clean denims. He would stare ahead with his mouth hanging open, I would say something, he would snap out of it and talk a few seconds and then just stare ahead again with a wild look. Suddenly he snapped out of it and said, "Yuh know what I did today?" No, what? "I escaped from prison!" I acted like that didn't phase me. At some point I had said I was headed for California to do a contract job for my company. Then he wanted to ride with me to California and hire him. I told him no, I have a crew waiting for me. But tell ya what, give me your sisters address and phone number and if one dont show I will call you. He did. I dropped him off at some intersection. In retrospect I figure he either walked off some prison farm or state nut house.
Coming back from California about six months later I got in a similar deal. I stopped at the american side of Mexicali and walked across the border to see the sights. I was in a bar and another american hit me up for help. He had a bloody bandage around his head and was wearing ill fitting cook`s black and white checked pants, some sloppy dirty shirt and barefoot! He looked to be in his forty`s and looked exactly like William Holden the actor. I still aint sure it wasn't him although he gave me some other name. His story was he had got rolled, ended up in the Mexicali jail. He said he knew the routine as he once had been married to a Mexican etc. He said he was wearing nice cloths and expensive cowboy boots. He thought himself street wise down there and had safety pinned some money in his shorts. The cops found it, bandaged his head, stole his hat, cloths and boots, gave him those rags, fined him the same amount he had on him and kicked him loose. While with him I got in a little difficulty myself and we walked back to my truck and trailer on the american side. I outfitted him with some better cloths and boots I had. We split company at El Paso in a Mexican bar new years eve of 1964.

 

[Jeepnik]

I never thought about it, but do folks think I'm poor when I drive my '82 scrambler? I mean, it's got three different shades of red paint (hey sometimes you bump into things off road). Right now one of the fender flares is a bit torn, and the winch cable looks like it has actually been used.

I parked next to a Rubicon Unlimited the other day and darned near got blinded by the shiny paint and chrome. The wheel wells were almost spotless. I guess the owner of the Rubicon is better off than I am.

 

[bogus bill]

Maybe he never ventures off road.

 

[Poco Oso]

You can say that again. ; >)

 

[contender]

Helping those truly in need can be confusing at times. You have to use your own good judgement. Will you make a mistake? Absolutely.
Some folks will sell whatever they can to make ends meet,, while others do so to get their next fix of the drug of their choice. Often,, the bad ones will steal stuff that's harder to trace,, (no serial numbers etc,) sell it for whatever,, and buy the drugs of their choice.
But also,, sometimes,, you can also see someone who is truly struggling & needs help. Offering a little kindness goes a long way.

I remember my old Scoutmaster,, the founder of our Troop, who ran it for 46 years. He was a college professor & quite smart. Yet,, after retirement,, as a single man,, he'd dress for comfort,, usually an old T-shirt,, and sweat pants. He also wore moccasins. He wore a hair piece to cover the head wound scars from WWII,, (which he retired as Col.) To look at him,, you'd never know he was quite "comfortable" unless you saw him driving his 1962 Jag.
One day,, while dressed in his "casual clothes" & driving his VW bus, he stopped in a McDonalds. As he sat & ate his meal,, a guy walked up,, and gave him $5.
At our Council meeting,, he relayed the story,, as he added the $5 to the Troop "kitty". He LOOKED poor & down, and a stranger showed kindness. He passed it on the the Troop.

Using his story,, I've often been somewhere,, and watched people. You can see the ones who want a meal, count change,, or buy just what they can with what little they have. I have bought a few meals,, or given a few bucks to those folks.
But the street corner beggars,, never.
I've seen too many of them who were better off than they appeared. A key thing to look at; Their shoes & socks,, or the lack of socks.

But pawn shops,, can be full of buyers OR sellers.

 

[Mokwaw]

Used to give when saw a "Veteran" with a PLEASE HELP ME sign, in Ft. Wayne, IN. The local Ft. Wayne news ran an investigation and found out there was a ring of six "VETERANS" they were running a scam, none of them had ever served.

 

[Kevin]

But the street corner beggars,, never.
I've seen too many of them who were better off than they appeared. A key thing to look at; Their shoes & socks,, or the lack of socks.

Kind of funny you would mention footwear

However, you are correct. Just recently we drove to a friends house. We had to get on the interstate as it’s a couple exits away. There was a guy at the entrance with a sign asking for money. He seemed to be dressed business casual, it just seemed out of place, and he stood out from the normal pan handler. Then the exit a few miles away. Different guy, dressed similarly. On the way home? Same thing with yet a third guy. All three just seemed out of the ordinary.

Almost as if they were working together, maybe a van dropped them all off for their “shift.” ? Somewhat nice outfits, down to their shoes.

 

[vito]

Its not too hard to NOT feel bad for adults who have made poor choices and now are living with the consequences of their actions, but it is heartbreaking to see the kids who are truly suffering for no reason other than the bad luck to have irresponsible parents. My youngest son is starting to get his life in order, but sometimes has made what I consider poor choices, expenses I know he should not be doing as he struggles to just get by. But I cannot stand to see his two little boys, my grandsons ages 3 and 5, go without because of their Mom and Dad not always doing the right thing. My wife and I are always buying new clothes and shoes for the boys, and we fill up some grocery bags with meat and other food whenever our son and his family come by. Yes, I might be enabling some of his foolish spending, but I cannot let my grand sons suffer and I can't live with myself if I am wondering if there is not enough food in their house to fill the boys bellies. And I understand that what I consider foolish spending may not seem foolish to others. He works very hard as a welder, working every hour of overtime he can get, and probably pays more rent than he can really afford but was determined to have his boys be able to live in a decent and safe neighborhood.

More than once I have seen families that are obviously struggling, putting some groceries back on the shelf because they have insufficient money. And occasionally I have put down a ten dollar bill, or even a twenty because I just cannot bear the thought of those kids being hungry, even if Mom is getting a $9 pack of cigarettes with her groceries. At my age, when I dream of hitting the lottery, it is not a dream of the goodies that I could buy myself, but a day dream about the money I could use to help my kids and others. But no such luck so far.

 

[Bayouhunter]

Good job Vito, I like to see my grandsons have as good a life as I can give them. The youngest who just turned 5 said to me “Poppa you just like a Daddy” I love the little guy I told him I’m your Poppa and always will be. The sad part is he doesn’t know his Daddy and when the P.O.S. gets out of federal prison he may learn to know him something that I dread. No son should ever learn that their father is a POS
Children are innocents and have no choice when comes to parents, my wife and I are now 60 and raising 3 children that have irresponsible parents that are actually no good and maybe never will be. I believe we in good company though for every time we bring one of the little fellows to a doctor or dentist we talk to grandparents that are raising grandchildren.
This thread started out about seeing folks that have nothing and are poor and it breaks my heart to see families that try but just can’t seem to make it. There are plenty out there that need help and are easy to spot and deserve help when it can be given. The ones that doesn’t deserve anything and should be ignored are the ones in pawn shops selling everything they own or can steal to get their next fix. I lived with this for the last 5 yrs having more of my own possessions going through various pawn shops than I ever walked into. I lost a lot to pawn shops recovering very little. If it would have been for a good reason to have my possessions stolen and pawned such as feeding those little boys I would have gladly donated it them. Instead SIL and Daughter were chasing a high they will never achieve. The SIL went to federal prison on drug charges w/ and illegal firearm possession. The daughter I had arrested for theft and forced her along with help from the DA into a 1 yr drug program. It helped for a short time only.
So as long as the God will allow I along with my better half will take care of these children that didn’t ask to have crap for parents. The sad part is the little ones eyes light up when their mom shows up for a day or so before she abandons them again. I work offshore and I’m away for 28 days but when I drive up and they run out calling my name Poppa to give me a hug keeps me going. Damn that ought to be enough for anyone to lead a good life.

 

[WAYNO]

Good job Vito, I like to see my grandsons have as good a life as I can give them. The youngest who just turned 5 said to me “Poppa you just like a Daddy” I love the little guy I told him I’m your Poppa and always will be. The sad part is he doesn’t know his Daddy and when the P.O.S. gets out of federal prison he may learn to know him something that I dread. No son should ever learn that their father is a POS
Children are innocents and have no choice when comes to parents, my wife and I are now 60 and raising 3 children that have irresponsible parents that are actually no good and maybe never will be. I believe we in good company though for every time we bring one of the little fellows to a doctor or dentist we talk to grandparents that are raising grandchildren.
This thread started out about seeing folks that have nothing and are poor and it breaks my heart to see families that try but just can’t seem to make it. There are plenty out there that need help and are easy to spot and deserve help when it can be given. The ones that doesn’t deserve anything and should be ignored are the ones in pawn shops selling everything they own or can steal to get their next fix. I lived with this for the last 5 yrs having more of my own possessions going through various pawn shops than I ever walked into. I lost a lot to pawn shops recovering very little. If it would have been for a good reason to have my possessions stolen and pawned such as feeding those little boys I would have gladly donated it them. Instead SIL and Daughter were chasing a high they will never achieve. The SIL went to federal prison on drug charges w/ and illegal firearm possession. The daughter I had arrested for theft and forced her along with help from the DA into a 1 yr drug program. It helped for a short time only.
So as long as the God will allow I along with my better half will take care of these children that didn’t ask to have crap for parents. The sad part is the little ones eyes light up when their mom shows up for a day or so before she abandons them again. I work offshore and I’m away for 28 days but when I drive up and they run out calling my name Poppa to give me a hug keeps me going. Damn that ought to be enough for anyone to lead a good life.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Good job Vito, I like to see my grandsons have as good a life as I can give them. The youngest who just turned 5 said to me “Poppa you just like a Daddy” I love the little guy I told him I’m your Poppa and always will be. The sad part is he doesn’t know his Daddy and when the P.O.S. gets out of federal prison he may learn to know him something that I dread. No son should ever learn that their father is a POS
Children are innocents and have no choice when comes to parents, my wife and I are now 60 and raising 3 children that have irresponsible parents that are actually no good and maybe never will be. I believe we in good company though for every time we bring one of the little fellows to a doctor or dentist we talk to grandparents that are raising grandchildren.
This thread started out about seeing folks that have nothing and are poor and it breaks my heart to see families that try but just can’t seem to make it. There are plenty out there that need help and are easy to spot and deserve help when it can be given. The ones that doesn’t deserve anything and should be ignored are the ones in pawn shops selling everything they own or can steal to get their next fix. I lived with this for the last 5 yrs having more of my own possessions going through various pawn shops than I ever walked into. I lost a lot to pawn shops recovering very little. If it would have been for a good reason to have my possessions stolen and pawned such as feeding those little boys I would have gladly donated it them. Instead SIL and Daughter were chasing a high they will never achieve. The SIL went to federal prison on drug charges w/ and illegal firearm possession. The daughter I had arrested for theft and forced her along with help from the DA into a 1 yr drug program. It helped for a short time only.
So as long as the God will allow I along with my better half will take care of these children that didn’t ask to have crap for parents. The sad part is the little ones eyes light up when their mom shows up for a day or so before she abandons them again. I work offshore and I’m away for 28 days but when I drive up and they run out calling my name Poppa to give me a hug keeps me going. Damn that ought to be enough for anyone to lead a good life.

After reading what you have had to go thru both past and present makes the crap that is now taking place a little bit easier to endure.
Take care and keep it up.
Jim

 

[Mobuck]

I'll admit I've become quite callous in my older years. I've "helped" some folks whom I thought really needed it only to find they didn't. I've offered to hire guys for "day work" when they wanted a gift and been turned down with an amazing level of arrogance considering the financial state those guys were in. I've sold guns to pay my taxes and equipment that I needed later to make payments at the bank. I took day work that hurt me but still went back because it was money I needed right away.
I'd feed a kid and leave his parents hungry and not feel a bit guilty.