This Christmas, Give Cash

The biggest obstacle is the assumption that most beggars use cash for cigarettes, liquor and drugs. Until this assumption is overcome, there will be reluctance to give cash.

The issue with giving cash like this directly, is that at least in my city some people have chosen to beg instead of getting a day job. That's because if you know a good place, it pays off way better than a full time job.

Still it could be that on average higher percentage of that cash ends up in the hands of those who really need it, than when giving it to some organization.

Speaking of organizations, I'd like to give a shout out to http://www.givewell.org/ which is the most rational one I know.