Panhandlers at Truck Stops

Just offer them a prayer and let God handle them. Not trying to be religious just a thought to give them hope without giving away your hard earned cash. Many don't want to hear it but its what they actually need more than money. Plus many drivers have died helping such people so gotta look out for yourself out here.

 

Not at a truck stop, but this kid stands on the corner of US 31 in Michigan near my home in Grand Haven and bums money at a street light. He was doing it 22 miles down the road in Holland, MI until they found out he was just scamming and basically ran him out of town.

He's 18 years old, has no girlfriend (or baby coming), lives with his parents and drives the Jeep you see behind him. When he was bumming in Holland it was right in front of a Burger King and a McDonald's and the managers of both places offered him a job. He told them he makes twice the amount bumming money than if he'd worked for them so they went to the local newspaper and had him shamed. Now he's drives up the coast to my town and does the same thing...except of course that the folks in my town are wise to him and are posting his photo and story all of the internet.

 

I wonder if he claims that income on his taxes. I know who I'd call.

 

Just make sure you report him as a TEA party activist or else they won't be interested.....

 

Here's a story of why I never give out money to beggers again. When I used to be an EMT in New York, a nice, clean cut guy with White and Red Nike's Came up to me and asked for some change to get on the Metro-North so that he can see his daughter in Saratoga Springs because his wife had a restraining order he had me going with his story. I have him $20 dollars. A few hours later, after my partner and I dropped off a patient at a hospital I see staff working on a patient with a Drug Overdose. It was the man I gave $20 dollars to. Later on I found out he died. It took me a while to get over that. Some of these people know how to play the game really well. That's why when somebody ask me for money I'll offer water or crackers instead.

 

My policy is to offer to give them a product but never money, they almost never accept though.

Like someone needed money for gas, I asked her where her car was, she said at a nearby apartment, so I said well to get it and take it to this gas station and I'll get you some gas.

She was pissed that I didn't just give her money and stomped away....

 

ErikN.....exactly.......for someone in unfortunate circumstances...."there but for the grace of God go I"......so I will buy a meal.....or put gas in the tank.....but not cash. IF there's a genuine need they will take you up on it and be thankful. It weeds out the posers real quick.

 

I used to write them a check drawn on the Imagenary Bank of America. . . But as you can see their starting to catch on.

 

I don't mean too be rude...but I wouldn't have lost five seconds of sleep over that. You did what you felt was right. He did what he felt was right. It is what it is...he was going to kill himself either way. Forget about it. Tragic? Perhaps...but did anyone step up to claim his body and grieve over his untimely ending or are you the only one that gives a hoot?