Steve:  You present what I think is a key question regarding assistance to the homeless.  "Is the goal to make it "easier" to be homeless or is it to help individuals escape from homelessness?  Clearly directly giving to individuals only serves to make it just a little easier to be homeless....or for "professional beggers" (and, yes, eugene has some) to "make a living."  Donating to charitable organizations provides direct positive assistance....meals, some basic healthcare, clothing and temporary shelter....all helpful to the homeless.

However, IMO, it's the NEXT step which is most important: What can we do to help individuals escape from homelessness? How do we help some of them get jobs?  How do we help some of them deal with alcoholism, substance abuse and mental health issues?  How to we help the physically and mentally handicapped find long term appropriate support? How do we insure that vets returning with PTSD/brain injuries receive the support they need? (cont) Gary Crum