Bumming

In this article on MSN Money, the author tells us how to give money to the homeless, and presents a few alternative options such as handing them a business card with the address of a local shelter, or gift certificates to fast food restaurants.

That's bunk. I live in the ghetto and know where the money goes. (Hint: It's not for food- you can get that for free. They make you pay for booze and crack.)

I am annoyed by the homeless, and don't feel the slightest tinge of shame not giving them cash when they come up to bother me while I'm dining alfresco. But I do try help when I can. Instead of handing out 'spare change' I put it into a bucket at home. When I get enough, I take it to one of those rip-off CoinStar machines and donate the money to a shelter that serves food instead of to the crackhead anti-withdrawal fund.