What's your take on this?

I frequent a large shopping center near my office on my lunch break.
For the past 2 weeks or so, I notice that every time I go (whch is a LOT)there is a man- probably in his mid 30s- standing in the parking lot of Target holding a carboard sign that says, "I lost my job, I have 2 kids, please help"
He always has his wife with him and one child- probably around 4 or 5. Today he had another child as well, in a stroller- probably 2 years old or under.
They wife and kids sit on the grassy area of the parking lot and play while he stands there with the sign.
I feel bad every time I see him- and especially bad when I see the little kids- but I am always leery to just give money to strangers.
I don't see anyone stopping or going over to them, but I'm only there for a short period of time as I drive through.

Would you stop and give them something?

What's your take on this?

I feel like this is the same family I saw near costco in holbrook. I had no idea what to do,especially since I had no cash on me. It's so sad.

Re: What's your take on this?

i saw something similar near the huge Barnes and Noble in Westbury. I was kind of shocked. A young man and his wife with their child, maybe 3-4 sitting on the grass coloring.

I am hearing more and more stories like this. He was wearing what looked like new nikes, they were all dressed nicely and clean, clean shaven, groomed etc. They also looked foreign. Made me VERY weary. I may be jaded but didn't seem legit to me.

Message edited 8/13/2012 2:31:35 PM.

Re: What's your take on this?

this is going to possibly sound terrible..

if he would put as much time into looking for a job as he does begging, maybe he would have some more success.

Re: What's your take on this?

Re: What's your take on this?

That's sad. IDK what I would have done. I probably would give them money. My DH would probably cry if saw that, no joke.

Re: What's your take on this?

Posted by whateverLOLAwants

this is going to possibly sound terrible..

if he would put as much time into looking for a job as he does begging, maybe he would have some more success.

What's your take on this?

I have seen them at the Target/Sam's shopping center in Medford AND at the Trader Joe's shopping center in Lake Grove!

What's your take on this?

I've seen a similar/same family at the Target in Commack and no I didn't stop.

Re: What's your take on this?

Posted by whateverLOLAwants

this is going to possibly sound terrible..

if he would put as much time into looking for a job as he does begging, maybe he would have some more success.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw themt too, near party city. With bags from party city and the kids were eating Happy Meals !
ETA it was in Massapequa

Message edited 8/13/2012 2:35:59 PM.

Re: What's your take on this?

could it be a scam yes but it could also not be. I would probably be leary about it too. And this person maybe trying to find a job but really cant.

If you really wanted to do something but not give money you can always get food in target and give them that.

Re: What's your take on this?

Re: What's your take on this?

this same family cannot be all over the place, at all of these places which makes me all the more suspicious.

i've seen another family in Massapequa by Friday's and TRU.

They congregate in areas where families will shop - parents with kids will be more likely to give them money - seeing the children sitting there.

They are smart, but I think they are con artists. It is gross that they make their children (even infants) sit out in the heat.

Even if they are truly homeless - don't make your young children and infants sit on the side of the road in 90 degrees.

Re: What's your take on this?

No way would I give them money. Maybe a sandwich or healthy snack for the kids, but not cash.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw them 3 or 4 different times at the Target in Copiague. I always felt bad for them but at the same time felt like he should be out looking for a job. I finally caved and wanted to give them money as I was leaving target yesterday but they were gone.

What's your take on this?

I see families like that by Roosevelt Field and that whole area a lot. I don't buy into it and usually I feel bad, but this is one of the few times that I am really leery about the whole thing. I saw a story not too long ago about families that do this and scam and many of them make lots of money a year doing it.

If I'm going to give them anything, it's something tangible like food but not cash.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw this near the walmart on 110. I felt bad for his situation but thought it was SO wrong to have his wife and children standing in a parking lot begging for money.

What's your take on this?

I don't give money out to people on the street. I'll drop some food off, sometimes. But there are organizations meant to help these people. That's where my money goes. There's a system in place for a reason. I would also think the man should be spending his time trying to get a job. He can't beg forever....he is wasting time standing around instead of trying to do all he can to get work.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw a similar family at the Walmart off of Commack Road. I did not stop either.

What's your take on this?

I just saw them Friday in the Airport Plaza shopping center on 110. Same exact situation. The sign says something about not being able to pay rent or something similar. I also, did not stop.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw the same exact thing in the parking lot at Target in Levittown. The guy had his wife and two small kids sitting on the grass... I did not stop

Re: What's your take on this?

About 18 months ago, after church (where the homily was helping those in your own back yard), I saw a man with a child (9 or 10) with a sign saying he had no job and needed money. I am always leery about situations like that but something in me told me they were legit. I completely burst into tears and told ds to give them money.

I am not sure about the family you saw, but you can always give gift cards to supermarkets for like $5, 10, 15. This way if it is a scam the most they can get is food and if it isn't it will come in handy to feeding their family.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw a man outside BJ's in East Setauket on Friday holding a sign asking for money to pay his rent and for food. He had his daughter (under 2) in the stroller next to him. I did stop and give them money. I have a daughter the same age and it just broke my heart.

Kim

Re: What's your take on this?

I would give money if I saw that. Not a lot but something(or maybe a supermaket gift card like someone said.) Even if I got ripped off, it would bother me all day if I didn't considering I have small children. I would feel too badly not giving anything. My husband is an even bigger softy.