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It can often be a bad idea to give homeless people money because you never know what they’re going to spend it on. It can be more helpful to give the homeless person something he or she might actually need, like food.

In this story, one kind person does just that. She buys food at a local convenience store, and hands the bag to a homeless person.

Unfortunately, the homeless person wasn’t grateful for the help.

Keep reading to find out what happens when he tries to return the food to the store.

It was not your money, I can’t refund these items.

I was working a solo shift at the convenience store and a regular stopped in.

We chatted for a few minutes and she asked for some items (Gatorade, water, sandwich and 2 bananas) to be put in a separate bag, which I soon found out was for one of the homeless people that regularly hung around the store.

After the customer left and gave the guy the bag, he waited until she left and came into the store. This exchange ensued:

Me: May I help you?

He had a request.

Him: In a sincere tone Yes, the woman that just left gave me this bag of items and I would like to return them.

Me: Are there any issues with what you received? I’m thinking along the lines of different flavors of Gatorade or another type of sandwich

Him: Yes, I want to return them for the cash so I can get beer instead.

She thought about how to answer.

At this I cocked my head to the side and pretended to think about it

Me: No, I can’t refund the money to you because you didn’t originally purchase these items.

Him: I’m being honest, doesn’t that count for something?

She still refused.

Me: Not in this case, because she bought these so you can have them, not for you to turn back in for cash.

He leaves in an angry huff and tosses the bag against the window as he departs

I go outside to retrieve the bag and give it to one of the other homeless regulars that came in later that day that was appreciative for the sustenance

It’s hard to know how to help homeless people, because in situations like the one in the story above, trying to help doesn’t help at all. I’m glad the other homeless person was grateful for the food.

Let’s see how Reddit responded.

Yikes! Another homeless person sounds pretty scary.

Exactly. It’s ungrateful homeless people who make it feel pointless to try to help.

One person shares what really bothers him.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an employee who was fired because of a coworkers lies, only to get the chance for revenge years later.

Some people make begging their full time job.

I’m sure there are homeless people out there who are actually grateful for help, but homeless people like the guy in this story who just wanted beer make it hard to know who to help. It can often feel better to donate to a shelter or food bank instead of giving anything to someone who’s homeless.

Some good deeds aren’t appreciated.