Feel terrible for not buying a (presumably) homeless man a drink

[Cheeseontoast32]

I was coming out of a corner shop. A thin, unkempt looking man asked for money for a drink and without thinking I just said I couldn't sorry. He looked a bit disappointed.

When I got home I thought about it and that I should have done, and feel guilty.
I do sometimes give money, I think I've just heard several stories of people using the money for drugs, or people working for organisations and not actually being homeless/in need.

I feel guilty though and hopefully somebody else was kinder than me! This shouldn't be happening in this day and age. I like to think he could get free tap water somewhere at least

Not sure he meant that kind of drink!

I was walking home from work and saw a man lying on the floor. A most certainly drunk. Asked if he was ok and he said he was just hungry. The shop at the end of the road was closed so couldn't buy him anything. And felt really bad about it.

Guilt is supposed to motivate you. So think about what you actually want. And end to homelessness, OK so get involved, lobby, donate, volunteer.

One drink won't do anything but real action from people might.

I'm 30 years in housing and the easiest simple thing is to write to your representatives every chance you get asking for safe, affordable, supportive (if needed), accessible housing. Every time you're about 6-4 months before an election of any kind.

I don't give money anymore as I prefer to give it direct to the homeless shelters. However i would buy a drink/food if they asked for something specific eg a bottle of water, an apple etc. If you were coming out of the shop you could have turned round and gone back in but as pp said, it was probably for a different type of drink (or drugs) if they wanted the money instead.

Can't feel guilty about this, I prefer to go through charities that help these people.
Where I used to live there were three well known scam artists doing the rounds, the police were always moving them on for harrassing people.