Every so often, I'll buy someone a meal: Subway, or some noodles, or something like that. Or I'll give them $5 for the BART, or whatever. Absolutely no skin off my nose; a big deal for them. And every single time, the look of joy and surprise on their faces completely cuts through any cynicism I might have had about the interaction.

I figure, every single person who's out there begging is in need. I wish there were better programs out there to help them, and I wish our community could help out. I sometimes wonder if the people selling Street Spirit could be selling a product that people actually want instead (even if it's just a magazine like the Big Issue).

I don't know the answers, but it makes me sad, too.