Where I live giving a homeless person who is an addict a gift card can end up in them selling the gift card at a great discount to someone else poor. I have see

Where I live giving a homeless person who is an addict a gift card can end up in them selling the gift card at a great discount to someone else poor. I have seen this happen on more then one occasion. That said I think it's better then giving cash to the authors point. Also lots of people are afraid to interact with homeless because lets be honest some have severe mental disorders/addictions, and it can be scary in general to deal with someone you don't know homeless or not. A safe gesture that I find is well received is in the safety of your car as you pass someone begging ask them if you can pick them up something from a local fast food chain. The whole transaction can happen through the safety of your car and there is no cash or gift card involved.