I’ll give a $10 or $20 to someone that just looks hungry that doesn’t ask. Then when they say God Bless you, I tell them I’m an Atheist.

When I have time, I will occasionally take someone on the street professing to be hungry to a nearby sandwich shop and buy their meal.

Never give cash.

In reality, I very seldom have cash on me. I use my cash-back credit card to pay for almost everything. I suspect more and more people are in the same boat and it must mean less money for people who beg and for charitable causes who set up shop temporarily outside of major stores.

At least the Salvation Army has added a "tap" feature to its kettle campaign before Christmas so I can use my credit card there.

but if someone asks for food I will always say yes. It happens every so often. Someone will stand outside a shop and ask me to buy them a piece of pizza or a bagel. I don’t know how anyone can walk past someone like that.

I mostly get asked for money but am not out and about these days so it doesn't happen often. The good news is that a huge number of condos are being built that will revive the neighborhood while the drug treatment center is just down the street. So the neighborhood will be mixed market that will be good for schools and the tax base and fill all those shuttered businesses with new life. Meanwhile vast neighborhoods of low income single houses are not going to be affected.

I get asked for money on a daily basis. Often by the same people.

But when we went to this one shop right in the middle of it two or three times a week, we'd sometimes just sit and talk with them for a few minutes. Sometimes that's what they really want --the sober ones, anyway -- recognition of their existence. They get pased by and ignored a hundred times every day, so 15 minutes and a sandwich is better for their souls and stomachs than $10 or $20. Also, this way you can tell whether they're clean.

Giving money to people on the street can prevent someone from going into withdrawal. We tend to think that it's their own fault, but withdrawal can lead to convulsions and/or heart attack. I know you can't relieve someone of their body's craving but for today, they'd be fine. Today is my 47th sobriety anniversary, but I can remember almost losing my life while in withdrawal. Make of this what you will.

I’m the only one in my group still alive. I was the only one there that wasn’t sent by a judge. I went on my own.
Congratulations.
Plus I only went to a couple of meetings.

Not because I care what they spend it on. For my own safety. I pulled out my wallet to give an old lady asking for money by a bus stop a couple of bucks. I was instantly approached by a couple of swaggering young guys. Lucky the bus came and I hopped on, but I learned my lesson.
Now it’s sorry, I don’t have any cash.

I don't care if the homeless schizophrenic guy I just gave ten dollars spends the money on sandwiches or cigarettes.

I've been everywhere on the crazy roundabout, inside and out, from homeless person to someone who can give a twenty to a stranger without a second thought. Fortunately I missed the "Die Young" exit but it wasn't because anyone was judging me for how I spent my time or money.

No, I don't hand out money to just anyone, but that's the same as anything else in life, including all the mail I get from organizations asking for my support, some that I consider quite toxic.