In a city as big as Los Angeles, the prevalence of the homeless community is ever present. Whether you’re in the tourist infested glitter of Hollywood Blvd, or the sunny beaches of Venice, you will be asked for money. For any person that sees themselves as compassionate or caring, this can pose a serious conundrum.

Do you give?

People often note of getting burned in these situations. So often, you offer money to someone begin for “just a gallon of gas,” only to see them take that ten dollar bill into the convenience store and leave with a six pack of beer. It certainly can be disheartening. But does that make it ok to ignore them all?

There are certainly plenty of reasons that a person might be on the street. “Numerous studies have reported that approximately one-third of homeless persons have a serious mental illness, mostly schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.” [1] So, with that in mind, it would certainly seem more helpful for them to receive assistance getting to one of the many facilities available to them that might be able to treat their illness.

But if not money, then what can you do? It’s been offered as a solution to the idea that “you don’t know what they’ll do with your money,” to offer food instead. But honestly, it only takes one homeless person, when being offered a slice of pizza, to tell you that they’re, “gluten-free” to make you want to go on a killing spree… or short of that, never give another bite to another human.

In the end, as far I can tell, it’s important to do whatever you can in the moment. Shy of Bill Gates, very few people can help everyone, and by their example, it’s obvious that even with that much money, the problem is not simple. I find myself giving when a service is offered. Music, dancing, magic. Things like this will get the dollar out of my pocket.

For you, the choice will have to be yours.

[1] https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/homeless-mentally-ill.html

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