Last week I saw what looked like a 10-year-old kid out panhandling out on a median with wearing a school backpack and with a couple adults in sight (that's the latest fashion, panhandling with kids since they're out of school). She was holding a sign describing how her dog needed expensive surgery.
In my neck of the woods having kids panhandle is so common. They do it for sports teams, dance teams, cheerleading, anything. It drives me nuts because these small kids are walking between cars at major intersections. Also, it drives me nuts that these kids are just asking for money. When I had to fund raise, we had to do bake sales, car washes, raffles, etc. We couldn't just beg for money.
Me don't buy Girl Scout cookies coz dem Girl Scouts never did bake dem goodies. Dem mommies be da onez who be pickin' up dem cookiez from da local warehouse depot in dem mommy wagonz. Same for dem mommies and daddies who come to work and panhandle for their kids, aksin me to buy dat korprate preservative-filled cookies, cooky dough, and chee'cake.
But I always patronize my neighborhood kids who take the time and effort to make their lemonade or brownies and set up a stand in the terrible summer heat braving the mosquitoes, no matter how bad the product. I reward the real entrepreneurs. And yes, high school kids suck at washing cars but I'll support them. Especially if they need money to science/math competitions.
I support Future Geeks and Nerds of America! STEM, baby, STEM.
