that's a toughie! great character shot :] i'm guessing you took this out you car window?

No I got out of the car and shot it from across the street. I have helped with money before, but I had rather buy food. I can't help everyone but I do try and help some. I find most just want money for wine or whisky, though.

i always have ambivalent feelings when i see people with signs like "Will Work for Food" and like this one. Certainly there are some who are just wanting money for booze and drugs. others might be mentally ill and simply couldn't manage there money right. lots of different reasons why they're down on their luck. i try to do what i can to help others. but i would not just walk up to this man and give him money. i would be too scared to approach him since i'm an girl. not safe. i donate $ to the Salvation Army directly. fabulous entry!

Cool pic, Randy - before reading the posts I too thought this had been taken from a... how can I put it? "Unboserved" position, mainly from the shadowing down on the bottom right. If it was mine I maybe would crop off some of the sky, but I dunno..... What is it about the homeless these days? I have to admit, I have to travel to Newcastle to see any people who are 'publicly' homeless (as opposed to those who you never see), sitting on corners or selling a homeless charity magazine "Big Issue" for which they get a percentage. But how, I mean HOW are these people usually dressed in Nike trainers, Levis jeans, decent jacket etc? Bloody hell, I can't afford Levi's!!! And they don't even have the decency to wear dirty clothes these days! They stand there with an expensive jacket strewn on the ground looking like they're on a lunch break from work! And clean shaven too! Now c'mon - I could stand next to them with my hat on the ground and get more "sympathy money". They'd probably think he was helping me out coz he felt guilty. btw Shee, I've worked for a charity before, and honestly, I'd begrudge giving money to them for any cause if there's a way of getting aid directly to people. The amount they used to waste was unreal. You'd look in the office at the expensive carpet and 20 per roll wallpaper, see the brand names plastered on every item.... I was even present at a conversation where a local mechanic with a well-respected garage offered them a good deal with car repairs/maintenance.... he was turned down because a) they already used the services of a famous national company (who they got very little discount from and paid about 3 times what he would have charged) and b) the cars never got old enough for major repair anyways..... Now, that 1 item alone would have saved 000's of pounds which could have been passed further down the line. Makes me sick. (",)

I am suspicious by Nature...particually when "God' is brought into the Quotation....and, having spent time on the Streets, I have observed those that openly Beg and display such Signs....are usually Professional Free Loaders...and, not all is as it seems. Great Photographic Depiction....mine is an Opinion only :]

Shelia - That is why these people stand at street coners, so you just what to roll down your window and hand money. No need to get out of your car. ReBorne - The shadow was a car pulling up. I was across the street as there was no parking on the side of the street the gentleman was standing on. I tried to time it with no cars, but as this is a very busy exit from the local Wal-Mart / Lowe's and Office Depot there are always cars. Tedx - Exactly my point, even though I feel for people in need, I feel most of the people standing there with signs are more "professional" beggars, than people in need.

Having worked in a "downtown" section of a medium sized city for many years(away from there now, yes!!) I have seen both sides plainly. A man asking for money to fill his "precription" who is unwilling to go to a drugstore to do it with me...a man asking for money to eat and knowing there is mission 2 blocks away...a man asking for money for a meal then being told I will get the food but NO money is given and walking and talking with me and getting that meal.... On and on and on it goes. Like the "deaf" man who scares the old ladies visiting downtown when he points his finger at them and tries to sell one of those "sign language cards" and I see the guy talking about the day's take at a bus stop with another bum, apparently hearing and speaking quite well. Well, I do help but never money. This very simple technique will quickly seperate some of the bums from the ones who really are sincere. If I mess up and help a panhandler, well, so be it. I would rather help the wrong person than not to help the one who is sincere. Still, according to local authorities, about 90% are pros at what they do and not much else...except humans with needs. Some are mentally ill and some are nothing more than cons. I cannot judge the book by the cover. Good post and image...thanks! Tom.

a great submission i think...it speaks to the lack of social nets we have in place for those unfortunate people...

I love that shot! Even knowing that most of them are just faking, this sight still moves me! A fantastic entry!!

This is a real issue in both small towns and large cities. I work for the state social service agency in our small community. Just yesterday a person was arrested for selling his Food Stamp card only an hour after he received it based on his "need" for expedited services. I have purchased food for a homeless person and watched as he threw it in the trash. It's a tough call to help someone out like this. Great photo- J