A couple of decades ago I gave a dollar to a guy begging in front of a grocery store. When I was leaving I overheard him telling the security guard that he's taking his family on vacation next week so he won't be around. Then I watched him walk all the way to the very furthest spot in the parking lot, get into a brand new van, and drive away. I was pretty pissed off because I was poor myself and a dollar meant a lot to me. This dude was taking from poor people by acting poorer, when he actually had enough money to own a brand new van and take his family on vacation.

The world is a huge place and people suck. I’m sure it happens. But, in most places it’s hard to accomplish that. Here, if you’re spotted begging by the cops they’ll run you off, or arrest you.

Here we have laws that keep people from begging on the side of the road. So, that leaves gas stations. Gas stations are usually ok with it for a little while. There is an etiquette to it. Like, only ask people AFTER they go in and get what they need, and don’t go to the same spot more than like once a week. Don’t be there all day. Get what you need and leave. Bonus points if you can buy something from the gas station before you leave.

I personally only did it as the very last resort. It’s humiliating and you always have a chance of seeing someone you went to school with.

So, please please please don’t think that I’m poo pooing your choice. All help is valid and appreciated. But, a lot of those charities have overhead that they have to pay for. I can honestly say that in my over 10 years of being an addict and homeless. I may have received help from a charity like 5 times, and every time it was like toothpaste and socks. Which is better than nothing. But that’s why I choose to give the way I do. Just be sure to research who you’re giving money to if it’s a charity.

Also, and this is me personally. I never judged someone for not giving money. I only judged the way that they looked at me. Those micro aggressions that say things like pity, disgust, or even I’m so sorry, or I wish I could help without saying a word. If I asked and someone said I just don’t have it to give. That was totally fine. Hell, I don’t always have it to give. After all, we have to take care of ourselves first. Otherwise we can never help those in need.

The best thing you can do is donate to food banks. Either with actual donations of food or money donations.

It's actually a good idea to give food banks money because they get no end of cookies but no fruit or vegetable.

I volunteered a food bank occasionally and we have enough pasta to survive the apocalypse. And every week people bring us even more bloody pasta. We could probably give it people to build as a shelter for themselves and still have more than we knew what to do with.

Also we have 40 bags of kale. Which I don't think anyone wants to eat even if they are starving.

Then don't give them money directly. You can't control how they spend it.

No. They're a fucking burden.

Yes, gift cards are gift cards. Gift cards, however, are not money as you can't spend them anywhere.

You can sell gift cards or regift them.

That's something big notes wouldn't teach you.