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

most of the Professionals want $$$ but the true ones have taken Cokes and Vita-waters and G-2 drinks I have and the Granola and Protein bars I keep to stabilize Blood sugars...

There are so many panhandlers where I live, I've actually seen them do a shift change, change costumes and props, rifle through their collection of signs to work other angles, generally most of them are faking it.

@CSM Michael J. Uhlig Cut sling and move out while eating the sandwich!

CSM Michael J. Uhlig
Personally I think you are better off donating to a charity house or homeless shelter (money better spent). I have actually ran into the same scenario they didn't want the food but would take money.

Based on your recounting of this encounter and his responses to your offers of a wrapped and fresh sandwich I believe you did exactly what you should have CSM Michael J. Uhlig.

CSM Michael J. Uhlig, I would have done the same thing. Sounds like he was looking for something more than food.

That event is played out most every week between me and a Austin Tx "Homeless Vet" holding a sign... one of hundreds (thousands???) in liberal Austin texas on a street corner, stop light, end of a bridge.. wating to show you there "Im a vet, please help" and said help in the form of drink or food is refused (most times, not always)

I often do the same. There is nothing to be ashamed of in offering charity and having it refused.

Maybe his sign should say "I'm lazy and just want you to give me your hard earned money"

It swings both ways. I've seen homeless people with funny signs, and others who simply had a "tin cup" for change. I've seen the ones that are clearly genuinely hungry, and the ones who are really looking for quick cash for booze and/or drugs. Absolutely some need real help, and a shocking number of those are actually veterans, but there will always be a few that aren't worth your time.

I'll tell what my solution has been: I have a few "homeless help" kits I keep in the trunk, and offer them instead of food or money (pro tip: socks are a must for those kits, but are often overlooked). I've offered to take people to a nearby establishment and buy them a meal. I've offered to help drive someone to a shelter or somewhere else where they have a chance to be more productive. I've even helped someone get a clean shower and wash their clothes once so that they could go to an interview (took them to get a haircut too). What I won't do is offer money. Every now and then I get screamed at for not giving money, but typically the truly needy will be gracious for assistance in any form.