We have a lot of that here in Vegas and I remember that from the cities in Arizona too.
My daughter is heartbroken because in church they teach her to help others, so she wants to help them all. She is always telling me to help the man at every light.
I remind her that when I donate her used toys and clothes, it helps someone. I do the best I can to explain what charities are out there and there a lot. I remind her that our church has at least two charitable organizations affiliated with them and that is the appropriate place for them to ask for help.
Yes, in fact some of them are scammers and that is why I donate to the organizations and not the individual. One was asking for money at the gas stations. I was near my house in Summerlin, a master planned community, when a very nice looking well kept young man asked me for a few dollars to put gas in his car and oh yea, he was so embarrassed. I looked at the car and it looked like a newer nice SUV. I said no. A few thoughts ran through my head at the time and I didn't believe he needed it. I drive a truck and it takes a little time to fill it up, so I was there for two more of this kids sessions. He received a donation from the next lady and he nearly skipped inside the store as if he were going to buy gas. He was gone for about 1.5 minutes and came back out. He asked the next lady who was in that spot, but never bought gas or anything else. She gave him money, my tank was full, and I walked in the store to get a drink. He was no where to be found at the moment. I told the clerk he was asking for money and she went nuts and said he can't do that. Just then, he stepped out of the restroom and looked through the window (I suppose to see if the car was gone) and the clerk threw him out. We both left the store about the same time and I made it to the light right before him. I could see him in my mirror counting his dollar bills behind me! He scammed a lot of people. While I go to work and work hard, pay taxes, and figure out a budget and meal plan for my family, he scams people and takes their money, doing none of the above!
Recently, we were at a light we commonly go through and my daughter told me to give a man some money. I said no, as usual. That evening, we went through the light again and the man was gone and no one was manning that post. She looked out the window and saw a pile of pennies on the pony wall. She said, oh they can use that money. I told her they were the ones that left it there I am sure. They will throw the change on the street if you hand it to them. I also got to tell her, "Look at all the littering they have done" They eat and drink on the corner and throw the food and cartons between the wall and post.
In my opinion, if you want to help you can donate clothes (used or not), food, furniture, and money to any of the charitable organizations and they will hand it out or sell it as necessary.
In my line of work, I donate lost and found to charitable's who have a 501C3 in place and some of them know these people on the streets. They know their stories and know who needs what. They take the items in, sift through it, clean it, and pass it back out.
Further, I try to teach my daughter that we have to help ourselves first and then we can help others. So if you need your food and diapers, then keep them for yourself. When you are in a position to help others and you want to, then do so. My mother has given the shirt off her back and almost lost her house. She is still in financial distress and I KNOW the person who asked for all the money is living a fantastic material life.