08-27-2018, 04:52 PM
I remember a guy who used to ride the "L" train in chicago at night. He was very disfigured due to burns and would beg for money. He seemed clearly in need and was one of the few panhandlers I gave money to.
Years later the Chicago Reader (weekly tabloid) did a story about the guy. Turns out the burns were from a crack pipe explosion and all the money he earned fed his crack habit until he died from a drug overdose.
His Mom was interviewed and said all the people who thought they were doing a good thing were actually enabling him more and led to his eventual death.
It was kind of a milestone moment for me.
Now I only give to organizations - not individuals.
JPK
Years later the Chicago Reader (weekly tabloid) did a story about the guy. Turns out the burns were from a crack pipe explosion and all the money he earned fed his crack habit until he died from a drug overdose.
His Mom was interviewed and said all the people who thought they were doing a good thing were actually enabling him more and led to his eventual death.
It was kind of a milestone moment for me.
Now I only give to organizations - not individuals.
JPK