I get asked a lot how to help the people I write about. My first response is pretty simple, treat them like anybody else, not someone who is broken, or fallen, or a victim, or whatever.

Give them the dignity to be your equal, as measured by things other than $, status, etc. 1/

Yet clearly by $ they are not equal. So how to help them that way? I believe in charity being as local & personal as possible. I buy people McDonald's meals, let them use my phone, or computer, help them navigate social services. Etc.

Or just sit & talk if they want to talk 2/

So I keep a wad of $10 & $5 bills in my pocket to hand out, if asked, or offer. I also carry McDonald's gift cards, if you worry about $s going to drugs

For those who worry about being scammed. Well, if begging for cash is their scam, they are probably still pretty desperate. 3/

If you want to help more local is IMO the best. Volunteer at local non-profit or church, & over time you will see how you can "help" the most. Like maybe buying the soup kitchen a new fridge, or a kid a bike, or whatever. The more personal the better. For a lot of reasons 4/

For those who don't have the time (life is complicated) & want to give to a charity, here are 4 links of places I tend to ask people to give to.

All are Bronx focused, because the Bronx did so much for me. I owe it.

There are variations of all of these in every city though 5/