Panhandlers at Truck Stops

I had a guy today ask for food money gave him 5 bucks watched him buy beer sneak around back and start drinking it I called the cops report a drunk belligerent person. All in all good day.

 

Next time u feel like being a good samaritan,tell him you'll buy him food or offer something from your food stash in your truck and see how long it takes him to say no and leave.I'm all for helping the less fortunate but the bums that rather spend my hard earned money on alcohol,may they choke on their beer is all I have to say.

 

Right now I am local b driving till my hand heals he well known pedophile in my area so he deserves worse

 

Why on gods green earth did u give him $5.00?

 

ya know, there are some homeless that really do want food. Many have metal health ishues and some ptsd. Yes some will take advantage, but its important not to sterotype all panhandlers into the scamming kind. I dont think any of you would rather be in there shoes. yes some will rip you off, but that shouldnt make you not help the guy who really does need food

 

Those that give may have good intentions, but they are exasperating the situation, in the same way the crazy neighborhood lady is causing the cat problem by feeding strays.

There are organizations who do good work that I'd rather give money to. If I give it to the beggers, I am part of the problem.

 

Every now and then these guys get creative with their begging. I was in Boise a couple of months back and had just hit the off ramp to go make my delivery and saw a guy at the top of the ramp with a sign. As I pulled to a stop 10 feet or so away I read it and it said "BET U CANT HIT ME WIHT A QUATER?" (exact spelling btw) Well I did and he wasn't happy but he got his $0.25 anyway

In all seriousness, it's usually pretty easy to tell when you're dealing with someone who actually needs help or someone who just needs drugs/beer/god knows what else. I have no problem with telling the junkies and the drunks to go @@@@ themselves... On the other hand I've been known to buy a meal or two for the legitimate ones and I haven't been turned down yet.

I had a guy approach me in Georgia awhile back who was clearly down in his luck. He told me he'd just been laid off broke and had just lost his house. He also pointed out his wife and kids in a beat up minivan and said they were living in it, anything would help. I told him to sit tight and I'd be right back. I went in, bought my lunch at Krystal and bought 2 sacks of burgers and brought them out to him. He was extremely grateful and I watched him bring the food to his family. I'm sure I didn't change his life with my generosity but if he and his kids could eat for a day I'm good with it.

My point is even though most of us here are cynical "been there done that" drivers there's nothing wrong with using your judgement and helping out those who need it if you can. Or telling off the panhandling regulars looking for the next fix.

 

Yea i noticed its bad. Felt bad one night at the pilot in tifton ga and gave the older guy $5 but also gave him a 5 minute speech. It was cold that night dipping into single digits.
Most of the time i tell them how about they give me $5 cuz i have 3 kids and a wife on my single income. Most dont get a second thought from me. Told one person id buy they a burger but said no saying something about they just ate. I really hate BUMMS, but i agree some do need help but very few that ive ever seen. Maybe i will keep offering to buy them something to eat just to see if any will.

 

I say, " I can't give you money for food, this Truck Stop has been known to make people sick"

 

I always gave money until I gave $10 to this middle aged lady in Tennessee. She needed money for gas because she lost her wallet. Instead of putting gas in her vehicle.... she drives off. My wife was mad at me because she doesn't like when I give money to the homeless. Learned my lesson.

Now when people ask for money....I tell them I'll give them $20 if they give me you know what with their mouth. This always shocks them. I'll say it whether it's a male or female. Lol As you can imagine they don't want to work for my $20.