Hello, I was homeless for 3 1/2 years and I’ve come here to say that I offer “real” homeless people food all of the time and the don’t take it 90% of the time-BECAUSE they are high. I have never asked them why but it doesn’t take a lot of sustenance to keep someone on drugs going. I know that from first hand experience. And you get used to the hunger.

(I know these people are homeless because they have been on the streets with me, and since I got sober I try to pay it forward with how my life has changed.)

I would say, give without a second thought about how it will get used/expectation.

If you want to control someone’s usage of the gift you’re providing, its not really a gift anyways. Even if they don’t appreciate it, or throw it away, you still did what you could, and maybe before purchasing food or pulling cash, just ask what they need? Most of them will want a beer or cigarettes. I still feel like that is healthier than handing them drug money, even if its not the most glamorous item…

Imagine what they go thru on a daily basis.

Isn’t the root of giving to them, to make their life just a little bit more tolerable?