If you think there aren't homeless people (and others) who don't gain any money at all, you are living in a fantasy world.

Some don't get $2, not even $1. Some are lucky to get $0 instead of losing money every day.

Sure, some homeless people get assistance from public or private sources, but many others are too mentally ill, depressed, or self-destructive to seek, find, or even accept aid (when aid is available, which it not always is).

And yes, these people do die of starvation, exposure, malnutition, illness, suicide, drug overdose, etc..

The extreme poor area I lived in was also full of drug addicts who spent all night going through trash bins and cleaning out anything of value to support their habit, so if your plan is to mine for recycled bottles and cans to return then you're in for a surprise when you find out that hustle has already been cornered by violent drug addicts and alcoholics who won't let you near their garbage 'turf'.

They also rob each other when they walk out of the recycling depot with cash in their pocket. Since you live in an alley you don't have security