I agree completely. A poster above was saying how giving to charities is a waste and giving to the poor just means them getting drunk. I can assure you the homeless drunk needs to eat at some point if he doesn't want to be dead in a ditch. And the easiest way to do it is spare change.
I've met far too many people trying to do the noble thing by buying a sandwich or milk. Completely oblivious to that persons dietary requirements. It would have been far easier to give a dollar, let the poor guy figure out what he wants to eat. If he buys alcohol he'll only get thirstier and hungrier.
It's quite normal to be asked for money to something to eat, but in 20 years of saying, I'll buy you whatever you want to eat from this store, I've never been taken up on the offer.
Another thing (in London anyway) is to be asked for money to stay in a shelter overnight. Well the shelters are free, paid for by the local councils, and always have spare beds.
I think if anyone did ever say, I need the money to get high, I'd probably give it them, just because they'd be the first honest one...
I once saw a couple of beggars in Barcelona sitting with three pieces of card propped up next to a wall. The cards each had a title: whiskey, wine, and rum. It raised a chuckle out of me and I did give them so money.
I've met far too many people trying to do the noble thing by buying a sandwich or milk. Completely oblivious to that persons dietary requirements. It would have been far easier to give a dollar, let the poor guy figure out what he wants to eat. If he buys alcohol he'll only get thirstier and hungrier.