I'm in agreement with many of the other posts here. I will gladly help anyone who is in need with anything I can, whether I know them or not. I have lots of stuff that someone else can have for free if they need it. I'll happily buy any hungry person a meal, or give them food from my own house. No one should go hungry.
The one thing I won't do is hand out cash to anyone I don't know (and even some that I do know). My reasons are the same- I'm not supporting anyone's bad habits, be it drugs, alcohol, gambling or whatever. Plus, being that these types usually (but not always) will lie about their reasons for needing a cash handout... This, to me, pretty much equals theft. If someone tells me they need five bucks to eat, then go and buy booze with it, they will have acquired that $5 under false pretenses. I don't like a liar or a thief.
The sad thing is, those who lie, cheat and abuse the generosity of others actually deter good people from wanting to help others. This hurts those who truly DO need help for reasons beyond their control.
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