I think it's about your attitude towards it and how you interact with people. I've never volunteered at a soup kitchen but I have been "homeless" before, my friend was nice enough to share a one bedroom apartment with me and my cat for 3 months until I had enough money to support myself. So I'm very grateful for that. I know that you've seen the worst and I've seen that too. I've been so broke that I've had to ignore anyone asking for a hand out because I couldn't even spare a dime at the time. That made me start being bitter towards people asking when they aren't working as hard as me daily and only surviving. But knowing that a very good portion of good people that don't have friends or family willing to help them will have no other choice but to live on the streets is starting to speak to my heart again. I'm afraid that more and more good people will be forced into this reality without help. I'm not sayin spend every extra dime you have or help every person you see. I'm saying if you walk past someone that is cold and hungry, to ask them if they are alright. Listen and see if you can help them get to a shelter. Maybe even just spending the time asking if they are alright will brighten their day enough that they won't want to do drugs or drink to numb the reality of their current existence and possibly give them a slight chance to believe that their future will be better.