How Prevalent Are Panhandlers in the Shoals?

Homelessness and panhandling don't always go together, but often they do. We've received several communications in the past 24 hours that mention panhandling in the Shoals, especially Florence.

From reader reports, various types of panhandling are rampant at the Walmart on Hough Road. From personal experience, 90% of the panhandlers we've encountered in the past five years or so have been at the Seven Points Shopping Center. Perhaps we should also mention a woman on West College Street who was selling what amounted to weeds (not the kind you smoke) in order to secure money for cigarettes - she said.

Answers? Anyone? We would like to get a firmer grasp on where panhandling is in the Shoals. If you've encountered this phenomenon, email us.

Let's all try to remember that just because some abuse the social work system, that doesn't mean we should stop helping everyone. How can you judge who is sincerely needy and who isn't?

After all, Jesus didn't command us to help the needy...except for the alcoholics, drug addicts, mentally ill, and those who have simply made some very bad choices in life.