What if you saw a street person with cardboard sign HAVE CANCER PLEASE HELP?

It has become omnipresent along our city streets these days, virtually everywhere in the U.S., and perhaps elsewhere. And it didn't used to be that way. People on the side of the street, usually looking down and out, unkempt, even dirty, holding up to traffic their little homemade cardboard signs, declaring something like:

HOMELESS HUNGRY PLEASE HELP

Occasionally a passing car will slow down enough to quickly hand the person a dollar bill or something, for which the street person usually expresses profuse thanks, and the car moves on.

As I said, it didn't used to be this way. I'm sure there were people with serious financial difficulties 10-20-30 years ago, but they never took to the streets to beg they way they do now, at least not in the numbers we are seeing.

Why has it come to this for some people?

It's even technically illegal here in Gainesville, Florida, where I am, although the laws designed to control it are currently tied up in court for various reasons. Safety issues are the concern.

But what prompted me to consider this matter of roadside "cardboarders" was an experience I had the other day. I was driving down one of Gainesville's larger streets, pulled into the left turn lane, and then stopped for the light behind a couple of cars ahead of me. While stopped and waiting for the light to change, I noticed a pretty young woman, likely in her late teens or early twenties, standing on the median at the intersection, holding up a cardboard sign that read:

HOMELESS AND PREGNET

and obviously hoping that at least some the drivers of passing cars might give her something.

Well, aside from the fact that the young lady had obviously flunked spelling in school, which under the circumstances was surely the least of her worries, I was actually thinking about giving her something ("What if she is telling the truth? Surely giving her a buck or two wouldn't hurt!"), but then the light changed, and I had to keep moving, passing her by.

I don't usually give money to people begging on the street, BTW, too many unknowns. But situations like this one make me wonder.

But my point is that all sorts of people can have all sorts of financial issues, and for some of them begging on the street with cardboard signs may seem to them their best option.

But then it also occurred to me, what if, as this thread's title suggests, I had seen while driving down a city street, a grim-faced person standing there, holding up a sign reading:

HAVE CANCER PLEASE HELP

or

DYING OF CANCER ANYTHING WILL HELP

or a woman holding up a sign reading

MY HUSBAND HAS CANCER PLEASE HELP

It would be an unexpected shock, to be sure, as one almost never sees this particular situation, at least I haven't, and I suspect my next reactions would be along the order of "Are these people being honest?" "Have they no other resources than street begging?"

But in view of my (our) own experience with the beast, would I (we) become more inclined to take such people at their word, and possibly give them a little something, because it's cancer? A call each of us would have to make individually.

So far I've never seen this happen on a Gainesville street, and it's certainly okay with me if I never do.

But I think what is really bothering me about all this, and something that prompted me to start this thread, is what I would call the sheer discrepancy of my situation and that of the sign-bearing person, assuming he/she was being honest, and their cardboard sign truthful.

That is, here I am, having had thousands of dollars worth of treatment for PCa, successfully so it would seem, and thanks to the insurance I had for it I am now unfettered by debt. But then there is this roadsider, possibly now overwhelmed by the debt of his treatment, and desperate for money to help, even if it means begging by the roadside.

This isn't about the generic "homeless and hungry" sign. This is getting a little more personal.

But as noted I have not had to face this moral, "roadside" question yet, and it's fine with me if I never do.

How do you think you would react?

81 Gy Guy,
I think I would react the same as I do when I see most of these cardboard sign people. They are fairly routinely at the major freeway off ramps in my County. I used to feel sorry for them, then found out most are not really as down and out as they seem. My friend's son said he used to panhandle and easily averaged $50.00 per day for 4 hours 'work'. Then he would spend it all on beer. Every once in a while a see a young lady that reminds me of someone I used to know, and give her some change,even knowing she may have a better cash on hand situation than me.
If I saw someone with 'please help I have cancer', which I have yet to see, I would feel the same as you knowing I have been blessed with Insurance payments beyond my wildest dreams, but wondering how people make it with no insurance. Probably, I would not trust the sign or person, and not give any money. That really would not help much. Maybe think about next time I see them I could give them some handouts about Charitable Companies that might give financial assistance.
Wingin it!

it depends on how i'm feeling at the time. my life was pretty terrible at points and tho I am not a religious man the saying "but for the grace of god go I" resonates strongly with me. you have to be desperate to panhandle with a cardboard sign, whether or not you have cancer.

i'm pretty streewise but I try not to divine intent. that's not my call.

What irks me about a HOMELESS AND PREGNANT sign is, yes, the systemic societal problems that may not have within the person's control and that lead to homelessness. The pregnant part is an entirely different question.

Djin

mattam said...
I also have a degree in street experience. A lot of panhandlers do it because it's the only way to get some money in the moment. I never panhandled, but have known many, many who did. Most aren't lazy, but find themselves in life situations that are hard to change: addiction or mental illness or both.

I don't always give panhandlers money, but I will often give them a dollar. Is it enabling, or is it helping them get through another desperate day until they decide to get proper help?

many people on the streets are mentally ill. one of our past governors closed all the state mental hospitals and when he later lost his mind he didn't end his days on the street, unfortunately.

I have, at times, handed money to street people who truly seemed to be in need. Seeing someone facing cancer, asking for money on the street, is a heartbreaking scenario to fathom ...

Like our loyal comrade In The Shop shared in his insightful post, I am focusing more on donating supplies and items to the local shelters.

The shelters have a record of charity, compassion, and service.

Right now, for example, the stores are having major close out sales on winter gloves and stocking hats, as spring approaches.

I'm stockpiling these winter clothing items to donate to the shelters. I'm going to stockpile more for next winter, as well.

Peace of mind, knowing these donations will do some immediate good.

It's easy to see our comrades here are very compassionate. For each act of kindness, I give thanks to each one of you.

With my best,
Cyclone - Iowa State University

logoslidat said...
"The poor will always be with us" and yes Virginia...begging as well...we all beg in a multitude of ways and in multitude sitiations...the most interesting aspect imo is the tells( relax gents...it will be our lil secret...psst usual suspects ) in the responses...hilarious in guilt covered shame(soooo needless}..uh...ah...er...bluster...bluster... .


F8 what can I say...you fricken nailed it with your initial response...yeh I know...so fricken what...

I've done plenty of bad things in my life. I am a story of redemption. of being blessed.

The sign missing is Have Opioid Addiction, Please Help. But they do use that one because it does not illicit sympathy.

I have seen quite a few people with signs on the street corners. I have even seen what looks like families. A man, woman and children all together with a sign. I will give a few dollars to almost anyone. I have never seen a person with a sign which reads I have cancer.

As a person of faith I feel it is the right thing to do to help the needy. If the person is scamming then so be it. They will one day answer for it. I will do my part as my faith leads me to do. I am blessed enough to not worry about a few dollars. I am by no means well off.

I also have cancer incidentally and it does my heart good when others pray for me. I also have other health issues and honestly it does more for my mental health to give money to those I feel need it. Any reason I can find to feel good about myself is much appreciated.

God bless us all

Thank you all for your input. This has been an informative, and I hope useful, discussion.

Granted that people engaging in roadside begging with signs claiming that they have cancer does not seem to be a significant occurrence, still, considering what might prompt such an activity on the part of some provides a picture into some people's thinking.

InTheShop - your suggestion of carrying and distributing food gift cards is both a generous and effective means of dealing with this situation. And when you say "... It's the best I can personally do" it really is a good bit that you are doing.

Holidayhill - thank you very much for describing what is arguably the best practice for dealing with the homeless situation: an organized, functional agency approach to helping those in need, with an SOP (non-vets: standing operating procedure) in place to handle situations like the unscrupulous trying to take advantage of those doing good works, as you are. And as retired military, you doubtless have excellent organizational skills, which you are putting to such good use in accomplishing your mission of aiding the homeless. Thank you!

Cyclone-ISU - thank you for uplifting post, as you always see the positive in things, and your outlook is always such an encouragement to all.

givemesomesunshine - thank you indeed for your in-depth account of the begging situation in India. By giving us such detail about it you are telling us how it really is where you are. I think a good many non-Indians, including Americans, have the impression, rightly or wrongly, that street begging is just normal life in India, but your description of the actual situation is very informative.

And thanks to all the rest of you for your insights!

An overriding issue was raised. Are these people who hold up their cardboard signs for real or not? The web discussion I have seen seems to lean toward the view that most of them really are legitimately in need. Doubtless some are scammers, true, but perhaps those people will be called to account, someday and in some way, for their actions.

The prevalence of mental illness was something F8 brought up, that many on the street suffer from various such afflictions. If so, the web is encouraging in its descriptions of numerous organized social programs to help those with such needs.

Again, we may not be seeing cancer-themed cardboard road signs all that much, which is certainly a good thing, but the possibility that we might indeed see them from time to time is there, and if we do, then perhaps this discussion has provided us with some pre-insight into this situation.