A few months ago I was in the city nearby doing some business when a nice looking young man approached me asking for some money. I was in the parking lot of the RMV where people from all the nearby towns have to go to do business and it's located right on the edge of the more "challenged" area of town. This very sweet looking boy of about 17 told me that he was from out of town and had run out of gas. He needed about $5 to get home and could I please give him anything I had towards that. The mother in me immediately responded by giving him the money to get home. When I was finished with my business, I drove home but since I know the city, I drove through town instead of taking the expressway and lo and behold, there was the boy, excitedly talking to what appeared to be one of the local crack dealers. They talked for a few minutes and then walked away together. About a month later, I was in another part of town and the same boy approached me with the same line. He was a little worse for the wear and not quite so clear eyed anymore. The mother in me cried this time for that poor, sweet boy.
I prefer to give to local charities that help people deal with their addictions than to panhandlers who for the most part, are only interested in feeding their addictions.  |