[LauraJean]

I believe Al Capone gave away food during the great depression in the Chicago area. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/05/19/al-capone-started-one-of-the-first-soup-kitchens-during-the-great-depression/

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

LauraJean :" I believe Al Capone gave away food during the great depression in the Chicago area '

That's probably what gave her the idea.
Drug dealers can only exist with the assistance of the native population, either to buy drug, or to serve as "look-outs".
It's just another necessary commodity, to feed the locals needs, .. this time it is dietary.
Loyalty can be bought cheaply during starvation times.

[Bob434]

Yes he did- just like liberals, He exploited the poor, then gave them piddly ‘handouts’ in order to keep them passified and keep them from revolting