Your evaluation of the homeless population is inaccurate sir. If Panhandling doesn't in part help the homeless, than why in November-December are their people out in front of every store, ringing a bell, asking for money? For that is truly what a panhandler is. Someone asking for change/money, is spanging, and someone asking for money by using a card board sign is in fact running a sign.. By point out that SOME people use the money given to buy alcohol and drugs,etc.,doesn't mean that they all do... As far as the point of begging equates giving up, Have you never needed to ask from help in your life, borrowed money to make ends meet? Perhaps those that are out doing this, have no other option...If you do your homework, in actually, if you want to give money to the homeless, give money to the homeless otherwise they will never see it. How many non profits locally as well as nationally take most of the money for administrative costs, operational costs, but not resources?