Buy a hobo a hamburger... not bad advice
When I lived and worked in Chicago, there was a bum who constantly asked me for money because he was hungry. I knew that anything I gave him would go to drugs or alcohol.
Finally one day I’d had enough. There was a McDonald’s right there so I went in and bought him a trip.
He never bothered me again. :)
I bought him a TRIO. Stupid phone...
I used to travel extensively in my first career as a bank examiner. We were in Nashville examining a trust department and I was out walking down the sidewalk on Broadway after work. I noticed this sweet little black lady who had crocheted potholders and was selling them.
I picked one out to buy and gave her $50 for that little pot holder. Tears of joy ran down her face. She was real; she was sincere. I still have the pot holder. It was a moment I remember vividly. She needed the money more than me.