The Truth About Giving Money to Homeless People

If you feel the urge to give money to a homeless person and you feel safe, then it’s perfectly fine, and your act of kindness can provide basic life-saving needs that only cash can buy.

People experiencing homelessness are human beings. We should treat them with respect. But too often, we view the homeless person asking for money as a bum or con artist. We blame homelessness on the person when their situation could be caused by a variety of reasons: lack of affordable housing, lack of a living wage, or some kind of trauma.

“Panhandlers use money to purchase drugs or alcohol.” This is also a common belief stopping people from giving money to panhandlers. Let’s think about that: if you’re going to the bathroom behind a dumpster in a McDonald’s parking lot, life sucks. You might as well have a beer!

We are not advocating for alcohol abuse in any way. We are simply trying to provide a little perspective. It’s hard to be homeless. Alcohol and drugs offer an escape from the pain. We often look the other way when people we know abuse drugs: The soccer mom who hits the bottle to get through the day; your brother-in-law who drinks a case of beer on the weekend; the lawyer who smokes the pipe filled with crack; and the postal worker popping a few pills to help make their rounds. But when it’s a person experiencing homelessness, we look down upon them.

Homeless People Need Money for Basic Needs

There are things only money can buy. Most homeless people only receive food stamp benefits, which do not allow the purchase of tampons, medicine, toilet paper, vitamins, pet food, tents, tarps, hand warmers, socks, or hygiene items. Often your gift of a few dollars can mean the difference between life and death for an unhoused person trying to survive.

Mark Horvath: Executive Producer
Marijane Miller: Producer & Writer
Blap Studios: Animation Producer
Alex Gasaway: Sound Design

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About Invisible People

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you.


However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

[TurbulentMystic]

I can't pass by someone who has a sign... Once the money leaves my hand it's none of my business what they do with it. I give from my heart and because i WANT to give.

[MartinKopecky]

I am not really lover of people, but I have weakness for homeless.
"Do as much good as you can, buy as quietly as you can."
Charles Dickens

[matthewgurule]

Just remember that empathy is one of our biggest positive attributes, but is also one of our biggest weaknesses... That reality needs to be recognized, at some point. Accountability for ones own actions and situation needs to seen as the best solution to this problem... Sounds harsh, but that is the world. Do no spread hate and judgment, but realize the only truth in our existence is choice and responses to adversity... Negative consequences do exist... It is just hard to see, and that is the duality of empathy.

[MsSparklesNGlitter]

I'm Canadian and I save my loonies and toonies to give out, I hope they use it for food/shelter. I also love to buy them dog food(dry and cans) for their furry friend.

[Andrewbreeze]

Amen. Amen. Amen. Although I’m not religious, my father used to tell me as a kid “it’s not your business where they spend the money we give them, that’s up to god” so I still live by the sentiment…. Who cares where anyone spends their money? Helped people help people.

[LittleYoki]

I’d rather homeless people get bailed out instead of big corporations.

[ShadowFiend]

"90% of panhandlers use the money they get for food"

Look, I'm sorry but regardless of what some survey says that's just not the case.

I see panhandlers in action everyday and sometimes they get their way but when they don't, they quickly go from helpless and hungry to angry and entitled.

[shanthegamer]

I often get forced by several people in the Bronx (where the college I go to is) who pretend they’re homeless and trick me into giving them part of my cash. Back in October, two guys tricked me into giving them my $21 (parents’ allowance) and when I told them I want it back, all they gave me back was $10. And when I came back before I took the bus, they were gone and I asked the guy in a gyro truck where they were.

It wasn’t the only time I get my money taken; one shaggy dude at a Burger King got up to me asking for a dollar so he could eat something. And when I give him a dollar, he just walked out with nothing. Same thing happened to me earlier today, but the guy who came up to me said he wanted pizza from the pizzeria on the other side of the Dunkin’ Donuts I was in but then he kept walking up the block instead of go to the pizzeria. They never let me think if they’re ripping me off or not, they just get too pushy with me.

[nova]

Wonderful video. I try to keep cash with me to give to homeless people. I didn't always do this though. I remember one day in San Francisco about 20 years ago where I walked by a homeless person and I strongly felt "who am I to not help out" when I can. It's was a strong sense that us human beings are all in this together. ❤️

[kalebefaw]

If I have cash I’m definitely giving to someone less fortunate than I am. A small act of kindness can have such a huge impact on someone’s day. Especially around the holidays. Let’s try to be good people at least for a couple months out of the year.

[bcx]

i live in manhattan. since i’ve discovered this channel i’ve started carrying a few $1 bills in my coat pocket to give to ppl asking for money now. i wish i could do more. it’s just heart wrenching

[TRPost]

I don’t totally agree with this video. First, I’ve heard reports of panhandlers earning as much as $500/day on the streets. Also, I don’t want my money spent on alcohol. I’ve seen booze ruin many lives. My mother grew up in a home where her father got violently abusive when drunk. I had an uncle die at 44 years old from alcoholic poisoning. A former roommate of mine got killed by a drunk driver. For the record, I’m a missionary who has mostly lived out of a suitcase for 25 years. On a few occasions, I’ve stayed in shelters. Therefore, I can relate to the homeless. I regularly reach out to them but (except in rare instances) refuse to give them cash. Whenever I’m approached by a beggar or see one with a sign asking for help, I ask if he/she is hungry. If so, I then tell them “I don’t have any money for you” but then offer snacks I have with me like granola bars or chips. This helps those who are really hungry and exposes the numerous con artists out there. When possible, I mention local organizations like the Salvation Army that can assist those with genuine needs. I also give beggars the gospel. From an eternal perspective, it’s more important for them to know they can have a home in heaven.

[gmork.]

I love the sentiment of this video but it's coming from an idealized version of reality. Many people who find themselves homeless are going to do everything in their power to keep that unknown to others. Having to admit life got the best of you would be difficult to anyone. They do everything they can to get off the streets. The people who need help are usually collecting cans/bottles or jumping through hoops required for their assistance programs. These people don't ask for help, but they need it.

The people asking for money typically are one of three types: lifestylers, victims of human trafficking, or mentally ill.

Lifestylers are people with addictions so bad they can't function in normal society or it's people who choose to be homeless as a way of life. They more or less have said, fuck society but you have to keep me afloat with your donations. Flying a sign and traveling all over is pretty common for them.

I'm in Europe and many of our homeless are victims of human trafficking. In Romania there are gangs who takes families and force them to move to urban centers to ask for money. These victims have their family's lives threatened to keep them earning for the gangs. All the money recieved goes back to keep the gangs funded and the victims live together in impoverished conditions. You typically can't have conversations with them as they don't speak English or the language of the country they are in.They have commonly seen tactics and scams all throughout the EU. The deaf school signatures clipboard scam is one of the most well known methods they use to pickpocket tourists. To help them is a matter of police involvement but on a personal level, unless it's a meal bought, pretty much anything you give to help gets turned into money or products for the gangs disposal.

Lastly, the mentally ill get dropped through the systems that were supposed to help them. They can't afford the costs to keep up with medication and their condition ends up consuming them.

I give this warning as you are not guaranteed your safety when helping and that wasn't mentioned once in this video. Just exam the person and situation and go with your gut on helping. We should help when we can but it's not your obligation if you feel unsafe by doing so.

[dmike]

It's a really good point that it's not just homeless people who use drugs! Kind of obvious but unfortunately we need to be reminded of that. Drug addiction is a health problem not a personal moral failing. We should have more sympathy and be less judgmental of people.

[PupsforLIFE]

I always help those in need whenever I run across them. Do ask if I can help them out as I do not want to embarrass them.

[english_]

Richest country in the world? It’s a sick joke.

[MrHelterskalter]

Man, there are so many EMPTY houses in the United States that sit there empty. No more seconds until everyone has their firsts! Housing is a right, not a privilege!

[coccinella]

Great video. Hope it changes some perceptions 👍

[johnnybgood]

Giving to someone who asks is not giving. Choose the ones who dont ask or refuse.

[petercarlisle]

Most practical thing I've seen in years. You a dressed real things like keeping safty in mind etc. I'll add love means wanting the best for them; sometimes saying no is the right thing to do, I now decide best I can if asked for money etc. Will it help and then say yes and now no.

Thanks. I moved to a place with many homeless and struggle to deal with them. I want to be compationet and help but really often that was taken advantage of so I started getting sinical and angry about it. Also stopped going out basically.