Ryan Bray is a kind-hearted man who always tries to help those in need. One Sunday, on his way home from work, he encountered a panhandler asking for change. Panhandlers are a common sight in his area, so Bray decided to do more than just hand over some loose change.
Moved by the man’s plight, Bray offered the beggar a job at his family business, promising $15 per hour. His intention was to help the man get off the streets permanently.
To Bray’s surprise, the man laughed at his offer. The panhandler rejected the proposal saying, ‘Absolutely not!’ and explained that he already made more money simply by begging.
Initially, Bray thought about increasing his offer, but the man’s attitude quickly turned hostile. The panhandler’s reaction suggested that he preferred his current lifestyle of receiving money without working for it. Feeling offended, Bray decided to take a different approach.
Bray went home, crafted his own sign, and returned to the same street corner. His sign urged passersby not to give money to beggars, calling the panhandler lazy and inactive.
The panhandler, preferring to stay anonymous, told reporters from Florida that Bray never offered him a job. He claimed that all he wanted was some help to get off the streets and that he was using the money he received from begging to improve his life slowly, one penny at a time.
Despite this, Bray stuck to his story. He spent time holding his sign, which depicted the panhandler as a homeless person.
“I offered him $15 per hour to do yard work for me, and he refused. If we, as a community, stop giving them money, they will leave our neighborhood!” Bray explained.
Bray’s determination grew from the beggar’s refusal. He hoped to persuade others to stop handing over money to street beggars.
“He leaned into my car and said, ‘Hey, do you have any money?’ I replied, ‘No, but I have something better for you,’” Bray recounted.
Bray expressed concern about the potential dangers of some panhandlers. According to him, they could pose a significant threat if not addressed properly. He decided to use his experience with the beggar to raise awareness among his neighbors.
