Choosing between BLT and LSD

I thought the article, "Walk on by?" was very apt and very true. Most beggars only want money for drugs or alcohol.

I was a vicar in a large inner-city parish and we had many beggars calling at the vicarage for a hand-out. Some of those who called and asked for money for food accepted a sandwich, and as they walked away threw it in our flowerbeds. As a church we wanted to help genuine people in need and I would offer them a chit for an evening meal, bed and breakfast, to take to the Salvation Army hostel. Most of them said that if I didn't trust them with the money, they didn't want my so-and-so chit!

During my time in the parish I offered probably nearly 300 chits, but only two accepted one and only one used it.

I have met many people who, for a variety of reasons, are genuinely homeless. They invariably ask for food. Others were glad to be put in touch with a charity working with the homeless – these charities are much better equipped to help those who have a genuine need and are able to give longer term help than a monetary gift, which may be used for food, but also may be used to push the recipient further along the road of drug or alcohol abuse.