I have seen here in Helena the panhandlers stay in the motel by the Albertsons store and then work the entrance to the store in shifts and you can see them walk across the lot to the motel and go in! I have also directed some to the God's Love which is a place they will let them stay and eat etc until they get on their feet. None of them want directions to there they want JUST $$$. Being the capital city we have ALL the giveaway programs but they just want the $ and one day I got chased with a grocery cart by a lady wantng money and I directed her to the God's Love. She was swearing at me and coming at me with her cart - I threw it into drive and took off! I have problems feeling sorry for them. The new thing too is young couples - too lazy to work so they panhandle-saw them get out of a relatively new car park it a few blocks away grab their cardboard signs and "go to work" begging!
If someone begs for money telling me they haven't eaten I will always go into a restaurant and buy them a carry out meal and hand it to them. Almost invariably they throw the food away (a few will shrug and eat it)and I had one guy cuss me out big time before he threw the meal in the street saying, "I don't want *&%%** food! I want money!" I've pretty much given up.