I think most homeless people are not that by choice. For most of them something has happened, sudden mental illness or a medical emergency, they couldn't pay the bills anymore and they could not get out of the poverty trap once they were in it.

I see a lot of negative comments about homeless here - and truly I get it. However, I always have an internal battle with whether I want to help them or not. I've done both, depends on my mood I suppose.

Recently I've joined a charity that helps to get homeless veterans off the street. These people come from all sorts of circumstances and might do a lot of what we frown upon while on the streets. This doesn't change the fact that they're human beings though. Theres too many of us fighting against one another and judging one another - of course religion is one of the biggest influencers here. I just rather help where I can, and in more of a direct manner when possible. Maybe itll help, maybe it wont. Whatever.

Yes, there are some folks like you described above that roam about in the city I'm from, and it is sad indeed.

As a matter of fact I did notice something to that effect in Ohio. Not only that but cleaner. The wavy smiley ones anyway. Looked abit like Jehovas Wittnesses. Just saying.

There will always be those people who give and people who don't. You either will or you won't. I know some of my donations will be used for things I don't approve of. But I would rather give $10 apiece to 10 people and accept this than not give and hurt 1 who really needed it.

I haven't noticed the waving but in my corner of the world most say, "God bless you". It feels as if that is what they think I want to hear.

Not the homeless I saw in Las Vegas.

They probably have morning production meetings to maximize efficiency. Maybe even a Lean/Six Sigma program to cut expenses and maximize gains.
I stopped giving money to panhandlers when I was walking about of a store and apparently caught a few of them during shift change.
A silver BMW drove up, guy got out, went to the trunk and grabbed a sign. “Veteran, need help, hungry, blah blah blah.” He walked to the curb and sat down.
The present guy sitting on the curb, put his sign in the trunk, walked around the car, took his hat off and got in the passenger seat and he and the driver drove off chuckling.
I laughed hysterically and went on with my day.
True story.

I just can’t trust any facet of humanity enough to share anymore. This even may be naive but a few have ruined it for the real homeless. Maybe it’s not even a few. The majority could be operating such a scheme. Who knows. I know I need my own money though. And since there isn’t anybody judging my actions, I’ll keep it and spend it on my kids.

I usually as kif there like some food and hotbeverage and I get them.
For thier pets I get something for the pets to eat and drink too

I have both been homeless living in my car, and been an advocate for and worked helping the homeless.
Because of those experiences I NEVER GIVE THE HOMELESS PANHANDLERS CASH.

There might be some legitamate person panhandling, but the vast majority are fueling drug habits. WORSE, the homeless network, helping each other (a good thing right?)
Except this takes odd forms, like sending out the little old lady to panhandle FOR the hard line meth heads, who in turn provide her with physical protection and food.
This is common, as they figure out that broken people draw more money, so do kids, and vets, and people with dogs.

Drug abuse among the homeless is rampant, meth and herion and all the prescription opiates, so when you give them cash, you are most likely feeding someones addiction.
Give them food, blankets, or volunteer.
You are not helping people by feeding their addictions, and you cannot tell WHO is actually getting those funds your handing out, or what ends they will go to.