Where do they go in the winter?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Remember when Holden Caulfield wondered, "where do the ducks go when the pond (in Central Park) freezes over?"

Early yesterday daughter and I were out collecting last minute supplies from Walmart, using the lot delivery. The kid who brought the things out to our truck wouldn't take my Christmas eve tip.
I started to drive my daughter through Starbucks for her 'whatever'  (the bribe to get her up this early) - when we passed a homeless fellow with a cardboard sign.
Daughter had me pull over and she gave him her money and said to forget Starbucks.
Then we spotted another fellow - she took my money for the Walmart kid and handed it out the window.
We stopped at 2 more on the way home through the city.
It was very cold and windy. My daughter wondered, "where do these people go at night?"
My street friends tell me they must leave the shelters at 7AM - and can't come back until 5PM.

It is even colder today.

Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

Someone gave your beautiful daughter a beautiful heart.

[Kansas kymco]

I feel bad for the truly homeless but unfortunately some have turned panhandling into a well paying occupation.  One guy on the news said he could make $400. on a good day tax free. By the Home Depot there is a guy that shows up every year around the Holidays holding a sign homeless vet. You never see him the rest of the year except holidays. I guess I've become kind of cynical of helping individuals because of this and donate money to homeless shelters for those truly in need.  I remember giving money to a lady at Walmart holding a sign needing help. She then walked back to a new RV with a generator running.

Your daughter has a kind heart and hope she doesn't become as cynical as I have.

[randyo]

a couple years ago, locally, we had a pair of scam artist panhandlers, every day the sign would say some new hardship story, invent kids, or a sick grandma, it was a husband/wife team, they owned a home, but their source of income was panhandling, and very aggressive about it. When they got kicked out of one town, they would move on to the next. haven't seen em since covid, this couple wouldn't even wash yer windshield, and don't roll your window down, that was an invitation to jump in.

[Ruffus]

@Stig, it's good you gave your daughter this spirit on her way. We (at least me) are old and mostly well heeled. But for middle agers and the very young generation could come a pretty stiff breeze to deal with.