[aigel]

Never. My wife sometimes gives them a snack or a soda.

There are different levels of panhandlers. The ones that are doing okay, maybe living out of a van or cheap place, others are down and out mental cases. I feel for the mental cases. They often are so self-destructive and unorganized, they can't even get decent clothes organized. And you know you can get free clothes pretty easily these days. Just today I saw a guy with totally wasted tennis shoes with gaping holes, in the cold. Would have been good to check his size and give him mine, but wasn't practical - riding my bicycle in 40F and no backup at work.

I just want to point out that many homeless are mentally ill. Have some compassion. Maybe give them something to eat or to wear.

G