No one is talking in stereotypes so lets not get heated again here, let’s just talk about a general halachic question. So where are all the Rabbis and why aren’t they chiming in on this one? In these hard economic times it is a very good question. When times are good we collect things when times are bad should we sell “everything” before accepting tzedaka? What is the obligation on the part of the person in need?
I was in a difficult position when I was collecting money for one particular child that I had sent to rehab. I made the suggestion to the mother on ways that she herself could raise money for her child while I was busy making phone calls and sending out letters. She was very good at a particular activity and I suggested that other women would love to do what she did, and that she could charge for her services and start a group. Then she could send this money to the rehab place. She looked at me like I was nuts and said “You expect ME to pay for this?”. I almost lost it. Here I was losing sleep over her child, worrying that they were going to throw the kid out of rehab if we didn’t come up with the funds and she wasn’t willing to do her part, she not only wanted me to do all the work, but she really expected others to foot the bill.
So yes, I would really be interested in hearing the answer to this question.