I would agree with mg - offer to buy them a sandwich or a hot drink. I run a needlecraft group at our local women's shelter so do have a little understanding of the problems and the reasons for homelessness but do agree that resources can probably be better used by the shelters for the greater number of people.

There are those who are takers and who will milk the system for everything they can get, even if they are capable of managing for themselves and they do take resources that could be used for the truly destitute, and that includes pan-handling.

I will not give money to a beggar on the street - I put what cash I can into the shelters and, Bert, those working in that environment do not get their 'cut'. They work long hours in difficult situations, for little reward, on the whole. I spend two hours a week in the best shelter in Portland and would not want to work there full time whatever I was paid.