Most homeless asking for money are scamming you. And most have drug and alcohol issues.
When I am asked to “give” to these folks and always refuse. But I make a mental note and give $10 for every time I am asked to the Salvation Army.
Years ago, I had one come up and ask me for money for food outside my place of work , and I gave him my brown bag lunch, and he threw it down on the ground and left disgusted...
Abilene, Texas has a constant presence of beggars at one intersection that leads to Sams Club. It is near the railroad track so some of them could be hobos but a few years ago there was a story about some of these beggars being members of a cult in nearby Clyde. Cult members are dropped off to “work” and picked up at day’s end. That information pretty much ended my desire to donate. There is a wonderful ministry to the homeless in Abilene that people can go to for help. But God knows our heart when we give even if we may be taken advantage of.