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[Brewer]

Not only was there the normal one out by Monroe St., today there was also one by the door walking into Kroger.  While it may sound rude, I can't help but think about handing them a Wendy's application each time I see them.  Who knows though, maybe they make more $ begging, than they would actual working. 


Either way, between the beggars and purse snatchings, Kroger parking lot is seeming kind of shady these days. 

[BigRedDog]

Not only was there the normal one out by Monroe St., today there was also one by the door walking into Kroger.  While it may sound rude, I can't help but think about handing them a Wendy's application each time I see them.  Who knows though, maybe they make more $ begging, than they would actual working. 


Either way, between the beggars and purse snatchings, Kroger parking lot is seeming kind of shady these days.

My wife works for Kroger...   not that store although we do shop there quite often. 

Not anything they can do about the one on the curb (public right of way) but as far as the one by the front door...

If you advise a manager or someone at the service desk of the situation they will go out and advise them to leave the property!!!

We were there a couple of weeks ago and there was a silver Ford Escape with yellow overhead lights and "Security" on the door.  He was cruising the parking lot of the entire mall when we first got there and later I saw him parked in the No Parking zone near the walk up pharmacy window(but nobody else was parked there  ).

You can either call back and talk to a manager or you can call the 1-800-KROGER number and let them know about the situation.

[Aunt Lisa]

 I don't think it sounds mean. If you have 6 to 8 hours to stand outside, wouldn't it be better to be inside, warm and making some cash!

[ShorTea]

Anything they get is tax-free. grrrrrrr

[Will Sweat]

It would be nice if folks could get employment but some employers are using credit reports as a hiring tool (especially if they may handle cash) and maybe this hurts them.  Many employers also will not hire folks with a criminal record (eventhough they can't say that).  There is also the possibility that many of these folks may have a mental illness and be unable to work. 

I know that it can be annoying but can you imagine for a second the complete dispair that another must feel when they find themselves in a position that they must ask others for charity on the street. 

[ShorTea]

Thanks for the reminder Will, I'll try to help out a little more. 

[Aunt Lisa]

Thanks for the reminder Will, I'll try to help out a little more. 

 Your so sweet. I agree Will to a point. Yes, no doubt in my mind would I beg (never steal) for food to feed my kids. But for a whole year, come on! 

[Baggins]

My question to the ones who say these people need to get a job, are there that many job opportunities in Monroe...Do all fast food restaurants hire everyone that walks in the door and fills out an application...?

I'm not sure how I feel about this...I can't just hate someone because they need help, I don't know if they have a job or not and are struggling.  I don't know their personal storys, they could be junkies, but they could also be decent people on hard times...

[BigRedDog]

Just in case someone is thinking Kroger is wrong for not allowing "panhandling" at their stores, Kroger just received an award from Forbes Magazine for being "the most generous" company in the US...

and a lot of their donations (at least in Michigan) were directly to help feed the hungry!

• In 2010, Kroger’s Michigan Division distributed more than 8 million meals to help feed the hungry through partnerships with Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. In addition, Kroger partnered with customers and associates to contribute $628,192 to these organizations.

• Through its Perishable Donation Program, Kroger stores donate fresh bakery, meat, fruits and vegetables to Michigan food banks on an ongoing basis, providing much-needed protein and nutritional variety. The Kroger donations reinforce the food banks’ goal to provide fresh, nutritious items to improve the diets of individuals and families.

Lots more info at:  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/12/02/forbes-kroger-number-one-among-americas-most-generous-companies/

[Aunt Lisa]

My question to the ones who say these people need to get a job, are there that many job opportunities in Monroe...Do all fast food restaurants hire everyone that walks in the door and fills out an application...?

I'm not sure how I feel about this...I can't just hate someone because they need help, I don't know if they have a job or not and are struggling.  I don't know their personal storys, they could be junkies, but they could also be decent people on hard times...

 They didn't hire me lol And I don't hate them. I wrote a topic about a guy at Kroger that was very sick and passed out and I was the only one that would help him, people after people just walked and drove by. I stayed until help arrived. My point made was a good point. The guy wants to stand there that's fine, he's not breaking into places or stealing purses. But in the mean time you can look for a job or go to a place that can help you. Like you said we don't know anything about this guy!

[rwwjr]

Kroger is literally in my back yard, and I have seen so many people stopping and relieving themselves in the back parking lot.  I listen to the police scanner all the time, so I know how much crap is going on there.  We have also taken the opportunity to educated daughter about what has been going on.  Thank goodness we have so many dogs to keep us aware of things going on.

[MM1]

This discussion of homleless and beggars around town has been had before.   

The guy who currently sits at the entrance driveway of Kroger has been standing on corners around town for YEARS! ! ! ! !  I happen to know for a fact that he was offered a job as a day laborer (cash / no taxes to pay) and he turned it down.  YES.  HE SAID NO!

And, I have also PERSONALLY been approached on the street by someone with a hand open for money, and when the offer was (by the man I was with) to take him instead into the cafe we were in front of for a hot meal of anything he wanted to order, without skipping a beat the guy said "Ah just forget it" and walked passed.  I was so impressed with my friend who did that and then SHOCKED when the guy rudely said "Forget it". 

There are way too many better ways for the homeless to meet their needs, if in fact is IS just food they need.  However, when it's just the MONEY they're asking for and reject offers of food OR WORK, I become very suspicious.  It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is.   

No, this conversation is an old one and always comes down to "You have no compassion!" to anyone with these feelings.   And, that could not be further from true.

Case in point:

Quote from BRD post:
"Just in case someone is thinking Kroger is wrong for not allowing "panhandling" at their stores, Kroger just received an award from Forbes Magazine for being "the most generous" company in the US... "


 
And yet, there are some who think it's inhumane to keep the front doors of a business cleared of begging. 



Why doesn't someone invent something like a Red Box for charitable donations and post them at business doors.  It could include local charities like Damascus House, Philadelphia House, the church in town that gives lunches/dinners to the homeless, or the larger/national charities like United Way.  I'll bet you a LOT more money would be put into that box than in the hand of the guy begging. 

Hmmmm.  Interesting.     

[Frenchfry]

Somehow I'm envisioning an insincere offer for employment or food from certain types of people could easily elicit a decline response.



I imagine it's difficult to ascertain, with any degree of certainty, whether an offer is genuine or something more sinister.

I mean who, in their right mind, would want their last meal to be at the hands of say...a Jeffrey Dahmer devotee?

As for the beggar....nobody should be bothering or harassing the customers entering or exiting any establishment.

And Will....thank you for reintroducing introspection and triggering a sense of compassion...maybe there's hope for you yet. 

[naomi43]

Now theres a guy out in front of the Smoke shop at the monroe mall asking for $$$...

[MM1]

As usual, you're uninformed, yet vocal and wanting to fight.           


So typical.