Arby's refuses to feed homeless couple

[MaggieTheCat]

The article is a bit dated, but it got me thinking.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ses.html?cat=9

The author witnessed a homeless man and a pregnant women at the local Arby's begging the manager to let them do some work (cleaning the parking lot or something) in exchange for a meal. Manager refused, stating it's against policy to let non-employees work for food. Homeless couple left hungry.

Well, I can understand not wanting to let the guy work for food, since he wasn't an employee...if policy allows (which, according to the district manager in that article, it does) I would have given the couple a free meal, without work. Otherwise, I probably would have bought them a meal out of my own pocket. But, it got me thinking...so many people will call the manager in the article heartless or insensitive for not helping the couple out, but how does anyone really know if the couple NEEDS help? There are some really good scam artists out there who make a living off of begging on street corners or doing things like this to get money and food, every day.

So, what would you guys have done?

[Greenday]

I certainly would not have let them work. It's against policy for a reason. God forbid ANYTHING happened to either person and they got hurt while "working", they'd be able to sue the company for tons of cash.

Now, as for just giving out freebies, I've never been a fan of that. Maybe it's because I always had bosses to answer to, but as a regular employee, there'd be no way in hell I'd give up free food.

[AdminAssistant]

I wouldn't have done it. Sorry, I lived in a large metro area for two years and that was enough to make me completely jaded about beggars. I had people knock on my door asking for money and/or food. There are big signs all over KC telling people not to give beggars anything but little cards with information on local charities, shelters, and food banks. Fact is, most of those people have houses, cars, etc. Begging is their "job".

[BroomJockey]

I wouldn't have let them work for food either.

As for paying for it myself or giving freebies, I might be able to afford it once, but as with SCs often being indistinguishable until they strike, I give once, they might expect it again, or tell others "Hey, the guy there's a soft touch. Go hit him up." And while management often has discretion to give out freebies, too many and you get yelled at, so same rules apply: no telling who might expect it again, or spread word of an easy mark.

This doesn't even cover the liability issues, or the potential theft, or employees being incensed at being replaced by lower cost labour, etc.

[joe hx]

in my city you have to have a license to be a beggar (or panhandler), and you have to wear said license (about half the size of a sheet of paper) on a chain around your neck

[telecom_goddess]

in my city you have to have a license to be a beggar (or panhandler), and you have to wear said license (about half the size of a sheet of paper) on a chain around your neck

Seriously?

[Flyndaran]

...Fact is, most of those people have houses, cars, etc. Begging is their "job".

Come one. There's jaded, and then there's just silly. Some maybe, but certainly not most have houses in a time when most with legitimate jobs can't afford them.

[tropicsgoddess]

I can understand not allowing the homeless man to work there by picking up the cigarette butts. But not giving him and his companion a little something to eat, was pretty cold hearted to be honest. I'm a softie.

[DesignFox]

I'm an asshole. I wouldn't have given out any freebies, either.

That's what the soup kitchen or homeless shelter are for, folks. Fact is, Arby's is a business, not a charity.

[blas87]

Add me to the list of folks who say "Nay" as well.

Although, I would have given him the phone number for a local soup kitchen or Salvation Army or homeless shelter. But I'd bet any money that would just upset them.

[joe hx]

Seriously?

yes, but i've only ever seen one beggar with the license

Registration.
(A) No person shall panhandle without a registration issued by the Chief of Police. The registration shall include the name and photograph of the person to whom it is issued. Any person who has been registered shall display the registration in plain view on the front of that person at all times while panhandling. No person whose registration has been revoked shall panhandle for a period of two years following the revocation.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Yes, there certainly are professional beggars, and it's not silly or even jaded to say so. A lot of these people make a better living than some who work.

I woudn't have let them work, either. I probably would have sent them on their way with some food, just on the off chance that they were genuinely hungry.

Usually when I give a beggar a meal, I have to put up with being abused for it. That's just how it is. I am morally obligated to feed the hungry. I do it in case they really are hungry. On very, very rare occasions, they actually were. That is the exception.

Most likely, the couple was hoping to be given money. If there were seriously in that kind of dire straits, they could have gone to a shelter or someplace. But I suspect that they probably weren't in all that bad a way.

[tabbyblack13]

I will also say "no" as much as it hurts. There are organizations that help out people that in these binds and I donate to them. I cannot be assured if the person is actually in need. I will admit I want to but I want my money to help those who really need it. I've witnessed too many people beg for money then use that money to by alcohol.

[anriana]

I woudn't have let them work, either. I probably would have sent them on their way with some food, just on the off chance that they were genuinely hungry.

Usually when I give a beggar a meal, I have to put up with being abused for it. That's just how it is. I am morally obligated to feed the hungry. I do it in case they really are hungry. On very, very rare occasions, they actually were. That is the exception.

Last time I bought a homeless person food he commented on my breasts. Fun times.

[Flyndaran]

... I've witnessed too many people beg for money then use that money to by alcohol.

That says more about the insidiousness of addiction than that of begging itself.