A lot were accompanied by a dog, or even young children to gain sympathy. They know the drill. I would call child protection services when I see young children with the panhandler in adverse climate condition. They need help, and the few dollars from your wallet to their pocket ain't gonna change anything.
I had only witness one case in which a panhandler took a homemade sandwich from a passerby. Most of them only accept "paper money" , you can keep your change.
Talked to a couple golfers from around the area, their consensus in the mushroom of the homeless and panhandlers in our region were attributed to the climate change on the North American continent. Loads of people moved in this area in recent years. Some of these just packed up and left their hometown, moved here without a job lined up, without knowledge of the cost of living. Even talked to a golfer who's son moved here because he could get more medical assistance here ( better charity ). He said this . quote , nowhere could my son gets help like here, unquote.
Some of them ended up on the skid road ( row) if they are only looking for handout. A golfer whom was an retired electrician complained the average age of the local electrician is 54 ( or something like that according to his union). Not enough younger generation to take over the trade in about 15 years. I asked the average pay for a trained and licensed electrician, the reply was about 68 K annual income , but most with full benefit amount to $120 K. If I were younger, I'd get certified and start in this trade immediately. The average household income in the area is about 60 K-70 K.
Another golfer was a retired land surveyor. He also said something like not enough new to the trade surveyor to take over the trade. He had obviously made enough money to play a lot of golf and some of the nice private golf courses through his membership with the NWPGA association.
Instead of getting a "regular" job" Is everyone wishing to invent something in their garage and join the instant Billionaire ?