Lovely Lil, Lola 28. Don't misunderstand. This topic is about "panhandlers". We have helped people whose situations we knew of first hand. As a child I remember my mother inviting over a neighbor who was having a hard time to go through our veg. garden and take home a large box of food. (We were always on the verge of poverty ourselves.) I know first hand of charities right here in Portland that provide "no questions asked" assistance. I worked with one charity where I walked in with a prominate local business man and we had a spaghetti, garlic bread and salad lunch. We sat at tables with obvious winos and bums, but at least they were being given a meal, not cash. (Of course, we left a generous donation in the box when we left.) No one asked us anything. Same goes for places that hand out donated clothes, etc. All, I'm saying is that there are probably reputable organized charities in your area that could use your few dollars a lot more effectivly than a street person. I know that you can call charities and ask about specific families who need help. Catholic charities are some of the best. Most of the street people are "professionals" . But, of course, it's your money.