Dennis Cardiff
What is most important is to acknowledge them as human beings: smile, make eye contact, say good morning. They understand that not everyone has spare change, it may have been given to another pan handler, some people only carry plastic. Bernard, a panhandler I talk to most mornings told me that if everyone passing by dropped a quarter, he would have enough money to eat and have a secure place to spend the night.
What I do is buy $5.00 meal cards. Giving food or even coffee is not always appreciated. Bernard has only a few teeth, so he can't eat anything but soft foods. If he's given too many cups of coffee it means he will have to leave his spot and go to the bathroom. He doesn't drink alcohol or use drugs so I don't mind giving him a $5.00 bill. Other panhandlers may be in need of bus tickets.
After I've created a relationship, I'll stop and talk, ask them how they've spent the night, if they've been warm enough, if they are in need of anything such as winter boots (inexpensive at thrift shops). I always try to make it about them. Often they don't have many people to converse with.
What I do is buy $5.00 meal cards. Giving food or even coffee is not always appreciated. Bernard has only a few teeth, so he can't eat anything but soft foods. If he's given too many cups of coffee it means he will have to leave his spot and go to the bathroom. He doesn't drink alcohol or use drugs so I don't mind giving him a $5.00 bill. Other panhandlers may be in need of bus tickets.
After I've created a relationship, I'll stop and talk, ask them how they've spent the night, if they've been warm enough, if they are in need of anything such as winter boots (inexpensive at thrift shops). I always try to make it about them. Often they don't have many people to converse with.
More Answered Questions
Patrick McCusker
asked
Dennis Cardiff:
Hi Dennis: Thanks for the contact. I note you are from Canada. I lived in British Columbia and in Ontario for four years. Great country. I note you keep notes, presumably for your writing. I filled several notebooks over the years with notes but never once opened them when I am writing thrillers only when writing short stories. Odd. Do you use notes as research for your work?
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