I really want an answer to this from people who are not reddit-brained libs. I have seen some good points elsewhere about this contributing to a cycle of abuse and control, causing parents to withdraw their kids from school to beg instead, etc., but if someone is desperate enough to humiliate themselves by begging on the street, shouldn't we give to them? Or should I feel bad that I did give to them?
Whenever I can, I keep a few fives in my wallet and give them out. Don't care if it won't solve the problem on a systemic level, and I'm sure that there are some horror stories out there, but I believe that the overwhelming majority of people who beg really are just in a shitty spot and should be helped unconditionally.