Point taken. We as a society should be doing way more to help these people. But then again.. when was the last time you really tried to help someone on the street?
Good government isn't a natural right, it is every citizen's duty.
About two years ago, my wife saw a woman in the parking lot of a large retail grocery/goods store holding a sign that said "anything helps". She had noticed this woman before on at least one occasion, and it occurred to my wife that perhaps this time she would do something to help somebody out.
In addition to the things she needed, she purchased everything required for a large spaghetti dinner to include Parmesan cheese, a large loaf of fresh bread, and a box of cookies for dessert. She ensured everything was bagged up separately so all she had to do was hand it to the woman with the sign.
After loading up our car, my wife drove over to the woman in the sign. She got out with the bag and as she walked towards the sign-holder, explained "hey, I just wanted to help out so I bought you everything for a dinner..." to which the woman replied, "food's not really our issue."
My wife told me that she essentially closed her still-open mouth, did a 180 and got back into the car. We had spaghetti that night.
I relate this not to imply that everybody with a sign implying need is a fraud, but to suggest that there may be a non-trivial number of people out there who do not act because they've had an experience similar to the one my wife had.
If the woman was really homeless, she couldn't have made use of the spaghetti dinner fixings anyways; she likely wouldn't have any good place to boil the water or prepare the meal; even hotplates are disallowed at most shelters, due to the fire hazard.
It's much better if you can ask someone if there are any particular items they need, or better yet stop by a local shelter and inquire there as to items that most need to be donated.
If i were that woman i would have said "thank you so much ... but" and let your wife down easy. But even for the genuinely homeless fending for yourself on the streets doesn't leave everyone equally grateful.
It's not like my wife was throwing old socks, underwear and car parts at the woman. A meal means at the very least, there's one meal you don't have to pay for.