My local area offers substantial support, both public and private, to those in need. They do a great job. When I am approached locally, I give out a sheet listing phone numbers and locations where help is available. (Surprisingly, most homeless seem to have a cell phone.) Outside the local area, I give out a list of 800 numbers to call to find out where help is available nearby. Most of those sheets go in the trash (or on the street), but it stops the begging and who knows, it may do some good.