by Lance Cheslock
I’m concerned about the epidemic of ordinances being passed across our country that aim to criminalize panhandling.
All across the nation, communities are passing laws that prohibit, restrict, or even require licenses for beggars or panhandlers. Merchants are worried that nearby beggars will discourage tourism and deter their customer base. Pedestrians are turned off or even threatened by the approach of a beggar. Parents worry about the safety risks posed to their children. Now, my own community is considering an array of restrictions for beggars.
I feel uncomfortable at times when I encounter a panhandler. At the end of one hard work week I went to the video store to rent a movie for my family. Nearby a gentleman I did not recognize was begging for money. I inwardly resented the intrusion into my peaceful evening’s journey, after a long week at La Puente.
After thinking about it, I realized that encountering a beggar makes me feel guilty about my own wealth and privilege in a world where so many are struggling to survive. Not a welcome thought when I’m trying to relax at the end of my day!
What seems forgotten in all of this is that begging is often an act of desperation. Many beggars view it is their last resort. The roots of begging are tied to inescapable poverty and destitution. The act of begging starts out as a horrific indignity.
“The poor will be with us always,” we are told, and begging for alms is a sacred and universal practice as old as humanity itself. Being poor is not a crime. And asking for help should likewise not be criminalized. Our society’s safety net is frail and tenuous for people who hit hard times. Sometimes, the final safety net for someone is simply begging for help. I cringe when I think that a person’s basic last resort is being taken away.
Alan lives out in the country in an old mobile home, and works odd jobs to try to support his wife and kids. They are a proud family, with Christian values. Alan tries everything in his power to find work, but sometimes work is not forthcoming. Near the end of a day, Alan wants to bring something home to feed his family. He will sit for a couple of hours near Walmart, and hold a sign which says “Will work for food.”
I’ve talked to Alan on many occasions. He knows he can have a meal at La Puente. He and his family often stop by when they are in town. He simply hopes his sign‘s message will bring him a few dollars, perhaps the opportunity to earn money, or a gift of some food. I asked him what he does with the money he receives from panhandling. Alan commented that he may buy food, or he may get some gas so he can use his truck to get to a job, or sometimes get medicine or other needs for his family. “I spend it the same way I would spend a paycheck.” Alan does not drink or smoke, a concern of pragmatic philanthropists. When he’s at the very end of his resources, begging is his final resort.
When I talk to someone about my concern with the welfare and rights of beggars, the conversation usually turns to stories about all the “unworthy” folks that are pleading for help. There’s the panhandler that was aggressive or abusive, the one that used the money to support their addiction, or the one who was not really that needy and used the ruse of being “poor” as a way to make a lot of money off of panhandling. No doubt, many of these stories are true.
Yet it seems that once someone has read about or experienced one “unworthy beggar” story, it becomes sufficient evidence to solidify the justification to never give to another beggar, so as not to be taken advantage of.
All this contributes to society’s critical regard towards beggars. The undeserving panhandlers, in effect, are stealing from those who have no choice but to beg. They are abusing the safety net meant for others, thereby cheating those with the greatest need. Furthermore, their actions instill a cynicism in the hearts of those who might otherwise give.
In Baghdad, a tribal leader named Laila owned a beautiful Arabian horse. A tribesman from a neighboring village named Omar was eager to buy the horse. He offered many camels in exchange for it, but Laila would not part with the animal. This so angered Omar that he decided to get the horse by trickery.
Knowing that Laila would ride his horse along a certain road, he lay down beside the road disguised as a beggar who was very ill. Now Laila was a kindhearted man so when he saw the beggar he felt sorry for him, dismounted and offered to carry him to an inn.
“Alas!” cried the beggar, “I have been without food for days and do not have the energy to rise.” So Laila tenderly lifted the man onto his horse, meaning to mount after him. No sooner was the disguised beggar in the saddle than he galloped away with Laila giving chase on foot, shouting to him to stop. After Omar had put a safe distance between his pursuer and himself, he stopped and turned around.
“You have stolen my horse,” shouted Laila. “I have one request to make of you.”
“What is it?” Omar shouted back.
“That you tell no one how you came into possession of the horse.”
“Why not?”
“Because some day a man who is really ill may be lying be the roadside and, if your trick is known, people will pass him by and fail to help him.” Anthony DeMello
Helping someone in need is a spiritual act.
The intent of giving to a beggar is to practice compassion.
As uncomfortable as it may be, perhaps it is important to have reminders that there are people suffering in our midst, even if we are unable or unwilling to help them. It provides an opportunity for compassion to take root and grow in a society so terribly afraid of being taken advantage of.
To see someone begging should stir up the question,” Why is there poverty?” When considered thoughtfully, the reasons for poverty are enormously complex, encompassing culture, education, birthrights, genetics, situational circumstances, personal choices, and much, much more. The victims of poverty usually only have a limited perspective on how they arrived in their state. Desperation can cloud logic and understanding. And if a desperate person is not allowed to beg to meet his need, then will he turn to something more desperate?
The late Fiorello LaGuardia, the longtime New York mayor for whom the airport was named, first served as a police judge. And there came before his court one day a sad-eyed man accused of stealing a loaf of bread. The man said he'd had to steal; his family had nothing to eat.
And LaGuardia said: The law made no allowances for that; the man would have to pay a $10 fine.
But then LaGuardia fined every person in the courtroom 50 cents "for living in a city where a man has to steal in order to feed his family."
When the fines were collected, there was enough to pay the defendant’s fine...with some change left over for the next few loaves.
The next time you encounter a beggar, if you want to help and have a dollar, consider it a spiritual exercise. Practice compassion. If you have nothing to give, don’t avert your eyes, but offer a smile or a hello. Beggars can feel they are invisible in a sea of people. And if you don’t want to help, just say no. Given that I’m a panhandler of sorts for La Puente, please know that it won’t be taken personally!
Lance Cheslock is executive director of La Puente, a major nonprofit organization providing shelter, food, clothing and other services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley, CO.
All across the nation, communities are passing laws that prohibit, restrict, or even require licenses for beggars or panhandlers. Merchants are worried that nearby beggars will discourage tourism and deter their customer base. Pedestrians are turned off or even threatened by the approach of a beggar. Parents worry about the safety risks posed to their children. Now, my own community is considering an array of restrictions for beggars.
I feel uncomfortable at times when I encounter a panhandler. At the end of one hard work week I went to the video store to rent a movie for my family. Nearby a gentleman I did not recognize was begging for money. I inwardly resented the intrusion into my peaceful evening’s journey, after a long week at La Puente.
After thinking about it, I realized that encountering a beggar makes me feel guilty about my own wealth and privilege in a world where so many are struggling to survive. Not a welcome thought when I’m trying to relax at the end of my day!
What seems forgotten in all of this is that begging is often an act of desperation. Many beggars view it is their last resort. The roots of begging are tied to inescapable poverty and destitution. The act of begging starts out as a horrific indignity.
“The poor will be with us always,” we are told, and begging for alms is a sacred and universal practice as old as humanity itself. Being poor is not a crime. And asking for help should likewise not be criminalized. Our society’s safety net is frail and tenuous for people who hit hard times. Sometimes, the final safety net for someone is simply begging for help. I cringe when I think that a person’s basic last resort is being taken away.
Alan lives out in the country in an old mobile home, and works odd jobs to try to support his wife and kids. They are a proud family, with Christian values. Alan tries everything in his power to find work, but sometimes work is not forthcoming. Near the end of a day, Alan wants to bring something home to feed his family. He will sit for a couple of hours near Walmart, and hold a sign which says “Will work for food.”
I’ve talked to Alan on many occasions. He knows he can have a meal at La Puente. He and his family often stop by when they are in town. He simply hopes his sign‘s message will bring him a few dollars, perhaps the opportunity to earn money, or a gift of some food. I asked him what he does with the money he receives from panhandling. Alan commented that he may buy food, or he may get some gas so he can use his truck to get to a job, or sometimes get medicine or other needs for his family. “I spend it the same way I would spend a paycheck.” Alan does not drink or smoke, a concern of pragmatic philanthropists. When he’s at the very end of his resources, begging is his final resort.
When I talk to someone about my concern with the welfare and rights of beggars, the conversation usually turns to stories about all the “unworthy” folks that are pleading for help. There’s the panhandler that was aggressive or abusive, the one that used the money to support their addiction, or the one who was not really that needy and used the ruse of being “poor” as a way to make a lot of money off of panhandling. No doubt, many of these stories are true.
Yet it seems that once someone has read about or experienced one “unworthy beggar” story, it becomes sufficient evidence to solidify the justification to never give to another beggar, so as not to be taken advantage of.
All this contributes to society’s critical regard towards beggars. The undeserving panhandlers, in effect, are stealing from those who have no choice but to beg. They are abusing the safety net meant for others, thereby cheating those with the greatest need. Furthermore, their actions instill a cynicism in the hearts of those who might otherwise give.
In Baghdad, a tribal leader named Laila owned a beautiful Arabian horse. A tribesman from a neighboring village named Omar was eager to buy the horse. He offered many camels in exchange for it, but Laila would not part with the animal. This so angered Omar that he decided to get the horse by trickery.
Knowing that Laila would ride his horse along a certain road, he lay down beside the road disguised as a beggar who was very ill. Now Laila was a kindhearted man so when he saw the beggar he felt sorry for him, dismounted and offered to carry him to an inn.
“Alas!” cried the beggar, “I have been without food for days and do not have the energy to rise.” So Laila tenderly lifted the man onto his horse, meaning to mount after him. No sooner was the disguised beggar in the saddle than he galloped away with Laila giving chase on foot, shouting to him to stop. After Omar had put a safe distance between his pursuer and himself, he stopped and turned around.
“You have stolen my horse,” shouted Laila. “I have one request to make of you.”
“What is it?” Omar shouted back.
“That you tell no one how you came into possession of the horse.”
“Why not?”
“Because some day a man who is really ill may be lying be the roadside and, if your trick is known, people will pass him by and fail to help him.” Anthony DeMello
Helping someone in need is a spiritual act.
The intent of giving to a beggar is to practice compassion.
As uncomfortable as it may be, perhaps it is important to have reminders that there are people suffering in our midst, even if we are unable or unwilling to help them. It provides an opportunity for compassion to take root and grow in a society so terribly afraid of being taken advantage of.
To see someone begging should stir up the question,” Why is there poverty?” When considered thoughtfully, the reasons for poverty are enormously complex, encompassing culture, education, birthrights, genetics, situational circumstances, personal choices, and much, much more. The victims of poverty usually only have a limited perspective on how they arrived in their state. Desperation can cloud logic and understanding. And if a desperate person is not allowed to beg to meet his need, then will he turn to something more desperate?
The late Fiorello LaGuardia, the longtime New York mayor for whom the airport was named, first served as a police judge. And there came before his court one day a sad-eyed man accused of stealing a loaf of bread. The man said he'd had to steal; his family had nothing to eat.
And LaGuardia said: The law made no allowances for that; the man would have to pay a $10 fine.
But then LaGuardia fined every person in the courtroom 50 cents "for living in a city where a man has to steal in order to feed his family."
When the fines were collected, there was enough to pay the defendant’s fine...with some change left over for the next few loaves.
The next time you encounter a beggar, if you want to help and have a dollar, consider it a spiritual exercise. Practice compassion. If you have nothing to give, don’t avert your eyes, but offer a smile or a hello. Beggars can feel they are invisible in a sea of people. And if you don’t want to help, just say no. Given that I’m a panhandler of sorts for La Puente, please know that it won’t be taken personally!
Lance Cheslock is executive director of La Puente, a major nonprofit organization providing shelter, food, clothing and other services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley, CO.
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