This just happened. I was on the subway to work, and a fellow steps into the car. In a mellifluous, but loud enough, voice he announces that he recently lost his job and has medical bills to pay. He has 2 children who are staying with relatives. He has been looking for a new job, but in the meantime has needed to rely on handouts from strangers. It’s a nice enough story, not too dissimilar to those I’ve heard with some regularity on the train. Depending on the look or feel of the person, I will hand them a buck or two. This guy looks legit.
However, as he passes one fellow, he collects a business card. In handing the card, the charitable soul says “This is a soup kitchen nearby, you can bring your children here and get hot meals.”
The fellow looks up and replies, “Free food? Here, in Manhattan?”
Read the whole thing.
Related: From 2008, Steven Malanga of City Journal on “The Professional Panhandling Plague.”