I didn't read this article yet, but I really enjoyed reading your comment and shared this post in hopes that others read it. Over the years, interacting with you on this subject has changed the way I approach pan handlers. I still have a number of gift cards that I get to hand out to people in my life and I'll get a bunch of $5 ones and hand them out to panhandlers too. This isn't because I think they'd prefer it to cash, it's because I almost never have any cash on me. Ever. Better than nothing, is what I assume. Usually these are starbucks gift cards and the place where people panhandle here is right next to a starbucks. It's enough to get a sandwich or a coffee, probably not both. But I assume it's better than nothing. The panhandlers here wear orange vests and I often wonder if they are mandated to do so or if they are all just really safe. I should look that up. Anyways, great read cgod, thanks for the tour.