I actually saw it in reverse, I watched a guy leave his panhandling post and go to the back of parking lot at SAMs club, count a roll of cash and it was a large roll.  I'm not talking 1$ bills, and then climb into a nice brand new looking Chevy f10 truck and drive away.  I then started to notice him in particular (once I knew his face) all over anchorage and he had a female partner as well.  I was floored and a lil pissed off because it was like begging was his job and he was making plenty while avoiding the taxes the rest of us pay.  I noticed he never "worked" corners during cold months.  Just the warm months May to September than they would just disappear until next spring. This couple was completely able bodied and I always saw ppl handing them cash under the guise that they had kids they needed to feed.  I never saw the kids though.