Of Cats and Kids
On conservatives and panhandlers
Posted by: Carol Lombardi
Wednesday, August 16, 2006 12:00 AM
I had occasion today to be wandering in downtown Champaign, on the way to meet with our newest blogger. I won't ruin the surprise. Let's just say she is way less than six degrees of separation from Phyllis Schlafly . The News-Gazette could always use another conservative voice, right?Anyway, I was approached by three different panhandlers in a block and a half, an experience I have not previously had in downtown Champaign. (Not that I have previously had the experience of having tea with someone who is not ashamed to admit that she knows someone who knows Phyllis Schlafly.)
But back to the three people. Has there been an increase in panhandling in downtown Champaign lately? (I am not certain that "panhandling" is the current politically correct term, but I just don't have time to keep up on the ever-changing world of PC lingo, because I kind of have a life.) Was it just today?
I don't have a problem with people asking for money, because I figure they are doing what they need to be doing to survive. It's not like they woke up this morning and said to themselves, "Shall I spend the afternoon approaching strangers for money or golfing at the country club?"
I was a little concerned because at least one of them appeared to be in fairly desperate need of mental health care. And because I am a bleeding heart, from a long line of bleeding hearts, panhandlers make me sad.
All three asked for exactly $2, and I was wondering what that was all about. Why $2? What if I wanted to give them $1 or $3 or $4.18? Would that be acceptable, or does the donation have to be exactly $2? What can you get downtown for $2, anyway?
Comments
I think you park behind the NG building, right? Many of us that park by the police station deal with pandhandling at least once a week. Sometimes they're very aggressive, other times; just sad.
Pleasant days tend to bring them out more. People are out walking to lunch (or tea) and have money to spend.
$2 is kind of the magic number- $1 seems too small to ask for, and $5 is too much. Ask for $2 and more often than not, if you get a donation, it's actually $5. $5 is a beer in any local bar- and bars have chips or nuts to eat when drinking said beer.
I'm pretty bleeding heart when it comes to mental health issues as well as poverty- but I'll admit I've become a little callous since being hit up at least weekly for over 2 years.
If I'm really generous, I'll buy a sandwich and feed someone- but I don't give money- heck I hardly ever CARRY money anymore.
Posted by Hoov on August 16, 2006 at 9:33 AM
Please remember folks that panhandlers work the areas where they are sucessful in conning money out of you. If you want more panhandlers in your area, give them money when you see them. If you don't want them around all of the time, refuse to succomb to their threatening ways and keep your money in your wallet.
$2 buys a 40-oz beer at Picadilly.
Posted by willie06 on August 16, 2006 at 3:48 PM
Please do not give money to panhandlers. Often you can do more harm than good.
Our community has developed some empowering programs for the homeless and mentally ill. Please consider sharing your soft heart by responding with a smile, a pleasant "No Thank You," and a donation to one of the many programs designed to make a substantive change in the lives of the struggling. Some examples include the TIMES Center, A Woman's Fund and Restoration Urban Ministries.
Posted by CarolTimms on August 19, 2006 at 2:34 PM
