I used to be very generous with giving away my money to homeless people. I would just open my wallet, pull out whatever bill I had, and give it to them ($5, $10, sometimes $20). But a few years ago, the hubs and I (and other friends) used to make brown bag lunches every weekend and walk around downtown Toronto handing them out, talking to the homeless, and try to learn their stories. I was very naively disappointed when most of these people refused these lunches and asked for money instead. I used to ask what they wanted the money for and they'd name random things and I would just tell them that I'd buy those things for them. Often they became angry and just yelled at me for money.

Anyway, since I stopped giving homeless people anything. I still feel guilty, though.

Do you give money to the homeless?