What are your actions on contact with a person claiming they are homeless and hungry?

There was a time when I was a young NCO travelling through West Virginia. We stopped at a small truck stop. This man and family had apparently been there for 2 days and their vehicle had broken down. I was in line getting food for the family. The guy was asking people through the lines if they could possibly get one extra something for this family (4 kids and wife). The guy never asked me for whatever reason. He scurried back to where his family was I imagine feeling dejected. He did not receive anything from the people he asked. I bought 2 meals that day. One for my family and one for his. I carried it all to my table and got my family set and then approached the man with an arm full of food. I told him I bought extra for your family. He seamed truly shocked by what I had done and thanked me profusely. This was in the early 90's so there were no cell phones. He told me he was waiting for family to come from Georgia (if my memory serves). His family was expected the following day. We chatted for a short while then we went and ate.

We have a mix of truly homeless and destitute with professional panhandlers here in Colorado Springs. There are some who,look like they are truly outdoors and others that look like they just came from the gym. I struggle with helping vs enabling.

My Dad used to roam Boston early on Sunday morning with his camera. He often did what you did CSM Michael J. Uhlig , with similar results. You are the better person in the end.

I have stopped and talked to homeless vets and verified info before giving them money or food. If i smell alcohol its usually food i offer. Vets ive giving information about local VA and shelter.

My reaction differs, depending on how close they are standing to a "Help Wanted" sign....

I've heard lots of stories from panhandlers and me attempting to help without giving them cash. Most panhandlers in my view are acting for cash. Americans are a generous people, especially to the down and out and they are taking advantage of that. We used to have a Mayor in Dallas (Democrat) that would drive around in her car and stop and ask the panhandlers why they were not in the new state of the art homeless shelter Dallas just built with taxpayer money. She formed much the same conclusion 70-75% of them, just wanted cash to spend on items other than food or shelter.

It is rumored that some cities in the Continental US were giving some of their homeless one way tickets to Hawaii. At least they don't freeze to death, and it's harder for them to go back. I find that the homeless here are generally appreciative and polite. Maybe the rude ones flew over from where ya'll live...