Would you rather give to needy people in the US or the needy in another country?

Question

I sometimes think it's better to give to the needy to other countries than to the needy in the US.

I know there are people in the US who have lost their homes due to fires and natural disasters, I think giving to them is fine and I have done so.

But I've had people at work ask me for money so they can buy their lunch. (I tell them 'no' and remind them that they have a job.)

And when I see people on the news standing in long lines, or waiting in their expensive cars, for handouts at the food banks, half of the people are obese and look like they could use a diet.

Not long ago, a local church brought my next door neighbor, who happens to be a welfare-queen with two kids, a half-dozen bags of clothes, toys and other donations for her.

The neighbor put the bags on her porch where they stayed, unopened, for months. One day the bags all disappeared. I think she might have thrown everything away since the bags were outside in the rain for so long.

If I donate anything, I prefer to send it to people in other countries, like Africa, because I know they'll appreciate it.

I used to give toys for the Toys for Tots, but stopped whenever I saw how the kids around here don't take care of them. Plus, the kids here all have grandparents and other relatives that buy stuff for them so I know the kids are getting toys.

Would you rather give to the needy in other countries or the U.S.? Why bother donating to people who are abusing the system don't appreciate anything.

kswck2 · Answer

Meanwhile, all the money the US Government AND local charities have given to Haiti-have gone right into the pockets of the government, and the country is Still a hellhole.

Craig · Answer

Having seen foreign governments, officials, NGOs, churchmen, and warlords all try to use charitable gifts from the West to enrich themselves or to maintain their power, I think your story suggests that we should donate to needy people as close to home as possible, where we know our donations won't be wasted.

I personally care about my own family more than I do about my relatives, and about my relatives more than my friends, and about my friends more than my neighbors, and my next-door neighbors more than my neighbors down the street, and about people in my own village more than people in the next village over, etc.  I know my local beggars because I talk to them.  I know where they get their food and where they go for shelter.  So I'll give to one of my better beggars before I'll give to some charity drive run by I-don't-know-whose standards.  If my charity money is wasted, it's because I'm not performing due diligence.

Give where you can WATCH the results.  Otherwise you might as well just fling money out your car window as you speed down the road.

Would you rather give to needy people in the US or the needy in another country?

2 Answers