I ask em what they need it for and if they tell me food I offer to take them to the nearest store or burger factory. They usually decline then I insist and they get mad.

i don't see why not... it is none of my business what they do with it, and they do need it... what is a dollar nowadays?

I've lived in over a dozen cities in california. If I'm not volunteering for some (usually non-christian) "food for the homeless" provider, then my friends are, so I often know the days/times for the food servings. Every city I've lived in has had groups that provided abundant food for homeless people. I feel comfortable saying that most urban panhandlers in california who claim to be hungry and not have access to free food are lying.

For me, the question is not 'losing the money' - its facilitating irresponsibility. Sure, it 'feels good' to tell myself I'm 'helping' someone else, but unless I'm willing to investigate that individual person - I'm not really helping them, I'm probably hurting them.

Next time you tell yourself that giving a panhandler a dollar is 'a good thing' - as yourself whether you'd go buy them a beer, a joint, or a rock.

I know a lot of people who *do* buy beer for alcoholic homeless people, and who gift their weed, etc. At least they aren't pretending their beneficiary is getting fed off their generosity.

yea, so... everybody lies about something.... they are needy, we cannot deny that...but everyone is different.

hell, i'll smoke a joint with anyone... if thats what they wanted...

but like i said, its not a big deal to me, and maybe that is the dollar that gets them back on the right road...

The point is not to say they are less than others because they are lying, the point is to not give them money under the illusion that you are helping to feed them.