I did not give $20 out last week. It never seemed like the right time. I don’t want to give to the folks who beg at street corners. They don’t seem to be homeless. Some seem like professional beggars. Not that precludes me from giving them money, but that is not my current focus. The regular homeless folks in La Jolla seem to be moved out. I don’t know if the police moved them out or if the cold weather makes them find a different place to live.
A friend of mine told me that the police really don’t like people giving homeless money. They say it keeps them in the neighborhoods and there is a correlation to crime. My question is if not my neighborhood, then what neighborhood?
I now have $40 in my pocket since I failed last week. Actually, if I had had $40 last week, I would have been able to give the money away. I came across two homeless folks, a man and a women hanging out under an eave at a vacant storefront. I had the time but I was uncomfortable only giving one of them $20. I also came upon a regular homeless in my local Starbucks, but I did not want to give them the money in the store. Somehow I felt this was inappropriate.
I certainly seem to come up with many reasons on why not to give. However, I will ultimately find the right homeless at the right time and connect with them. Maybe I will see Ron from Ft. Worth again.
I appreciate the posts on the website and the folks who spoke to me directly about this adventure.