What is the right way to respond to a homeless person when they ask, “Do you have any change?”I don’t lie. Well, I like to think I don’t lie. I was instilled with values that make it hard to divert from the truth, and when I do lie, my conscience gets to me.The other day, I was walking back to my office on Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs, with change leftover in my pocket from my Chipotle lunch. I was caught up in conversation with my friend and colleague when we came to an intersection. I tried not to, but I made eye contact with a homeless gentleman on the corner. Immediately, he asked, “Do you have any change?” I said, “No.” When we were out of earshot I told my friend, “I lied to that man.”I don’t know his name, but he deserves to have one, so I’m going to call him “Robert.” Lying to Robert felt equally as terrible as lying to my wife, my kids, or my mom and dad. I talked with my friend about how it felt, and then we threw out some other ways I could have responded.I could have just given the change to him. With that came an immediate reaction: “He’ll use it on booze or drugs.” While that judgement isn’t necessarily right or just, I truly didn’t know what Robert was going to do with the money. Maybe he would have walked right into Louie’s and bought a slice of pepperoni pizza. Still, giving him money didn’t feel like a good option.I could have been honest and said, “Yes, but I’m not giving it to you.” However, that felt even worse than lying; it felt rude, insensitive and compassionless. I could have ignored him, which was just one more rude and thoughtless idea. Who else would I ignore when I know they are trying to get my attention? Ok, maybe the preacher on the corner of Tejon and Pikes Peak Avenue, the door-to-door salesman, or the person whose parking space I just stole. But Robert, who’s hungry and will be sleeping along Fountain Creek tonight?Lately, I’ve just been smiling and saying “sorry” to the individual experiencing homelessness and then continuing past. However, I’ve been talking to friends who have thought through and encountered this situation more than I have. They offered me some other ideas.3 ideas for helping a homeless person on the street Stop and ask him his name: “Hi, Robert. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry I can’t help you today.” Shake his hand. Keep some granola bars in my car, my backpack, my pocket. “Hi, Robert. I can’t give you any change, but would you like a granola bar?”Pick up a stack of cards from Catholic Charities, Springs Rescue Mission, or the Salvation Army and share some information with him. “Hi, Robert! I realize you may already know about this, but I just wanted to share with you that Springs Rescue Mission offers meals three times a day.”I’m learning, but I still feel uncomfortable when I encounter a homeless person. And maybe the biggest mistake I could make is to start feeling comfortable.How about you? How do you respond when a homeless person asks you for change? And what are your questions about homelessness in our community?