is it kindness?

i have stopped giving money to "beggars". i do give spare change and even a few dollars to buskers especially when they're good. at least they are doing something to earn the few dollars which i also rightly earned with my skills and time.

that said, i do give a big amount of money every year to the united way via salary deduction. i also make it a point to direct portion or all of my donation towards specific programs, like assistance to seniors and breakfast for school children. i also donate and fundraise for the canadian heart and stroke foundation's big bike event which i have participated in for the last seven years.

helping others is a noble deed, but experience made me to become wary and suspicious. better to direct my help to those who know how to manage the donation.

[Diana]

This is absolutely wonderful! Both shot and words, fav!

[Annie D]

I agree Vikki
I give monthly to the Cancer Council, Guide dogs and Vision Australia - I also donate regularly to the Surf Lifesavers, Volunteer Fire Fighters and Legacy
Acouple of friends I know buy a meal or cuppa if they pass by homeless on the streets

[summerfield]

@annied - for so many years, i would fundraise a lot of money for the breast cancer foundation and other breast cancer agencies. then they had a protracted legal squabble over the use of the pink ribbon. so i stopped supporting them. however i do sponsor a few people who race for those agencies, and that is about the extent of my support for them. thank you, miss annie.

[Annie D]

@summerfield Cancer Council Australia is involved in funding research and treatment for all kinds of cancers - they are a very worthy cause

[JackieR]

I am so enjoying your white sillhouettes (can never spell that word) and we learn a tad more about each photo! This image is so powerful!!

[Helen Jane]

I think that you are right - I prefer to give to small, local organisations where it is fairly clear where the money and efforts are going and the overheads are not so great. We have a lot of homeless in my town. I try to stop and talk to them but rarely give money. One said to me that the most valuable thing I can do, is to acknowledge their presence, so I try to do that rather than walk past as if they are not there. Im loving your series for this month.

[Kathy]

An interesting ethical question.

[☠northy]

A really well done thought provoking image

[katy]

To answer the question it is probably a little bit of both. In the end the result is the same.

This is a truly well done photo with an interesting message

[Henri Russell]

Love your thought provoking photo. I too am weary of beggars. If they put the time into helping themselves instead of begging, no limit to their success. My husband and I give almost all of our donations to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital or the Shrine Burn Centers. We know that our donations are going to help children at no cost to the families. You sound like a very generous lady. It is best to know where your money is going. Good job.