The only way to help your fellow man is through big gubmint darn it! Politicians need your money too!
(sarc)
It’s better to give them food, clothing or blankets than money since it won’t be mispent on cigarettes, booze or drugs.
But what really needs to happen is for them to be taught usefull skills. What ever happened to good vocational education and apprenticeship programs? Of course some also need mental help, which includes the shockingly high number of homeless vets with PTSD.
I don’t think that’s sarcasm. Sadly, I think it is all too true. The government doesn’t want you helping the needy directly because then they (the power hungry government types) don’t get their cut.