Editors Note: This editorial represents the majority view of the PS Board who voted 'Yes' compared to the 'No' votes! An abstain vote does not count as a 'No' vote.

A lot of people look down on panhandlers thinking they are lazy bums who are going to use money given to them for alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes so many look past them or cross the street so they do not have to deal with them.

When we do that, we make that panhandler feel devalued and worthless when no one is worthless. Everyone has worth even a panhandler. We may not be able to give them anything but we can acknowledge they exist by talking to them so they feel like they are valued.

Have you ever been in need of something but because of pride you did not want to ask for help?

Yet, these panhandlers swallow their pride to ask those who are well off or at least ask those that have food, clothing, and shelter for a helping hand. We can be that helping hand whether we talk to them, give them little money, buy them food, or even offer to help them find a job if we are able.

A lot of sadness and misery in this world is a result of lack of love being bestowed on others. Panhandlers experience this lack of love a lot of times. This does not mean we encourage the giving of money to panhandlers when we know for sure that they are going to use it for drinking or cigarettes.

However, not everyone uses money for alcohol and cigarettes. Some are really in need of money for bus fare when the shelters become full, food to eat to sustain their life, and a place to lay their head. As schools start to open, let us be the instruments of peace and bring hope even to a panhandler for not all are lazy and if we touch one person’s life, we would have made a difference.

Next, time you see a panhandler ask for money, please don’t ignore them but acknowledge their presence by speaking to them even if it means saying, ‘sorry, I do not have anything to give today’ if you really don’t, ‘can I help you find a shelter where you could get food’, ‘I do not give money but can I get you something to eat’, ‘what has put you in a predicament like this’, etc.

You will be surprised the change you may bring in the person and you may not even see him or her there the next day. Sometimes a boost of self-esteem is all someone needs to pick themselves up and move on. We can be that helping hand.

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