I've found this to be the case many times too... most homeless aren't down on their luck. They are wino's or addicts or I'v heard of some that literally make a living pan handling then live out in the burbs, odd. The percentage of people that are REALLY down on their luck is minute and there are definitely social programs for them and they know.
But I still feel sorry for the poor baby.
I've seen some hard-luck cases, though. My wife and I were eating in a fast food joint one time. I saw a car with out of state plates in the back of the parking lot.
There was a woman and three kids in the car. A man was going through the dumpster behind the place, pulling out partially eaten meals.
So, I went back into the restaurant and bought five meal deals and took it out back and gave it to the guy, along with a $10 bill.
I told him I didn't like seeing him digging food out of the dumpster for his family. He thanked me profusely for the food, and told me that they had run out of gas and only had to go about 20 more miles before they got to a relative's house. He didn't even have a quarter to use to call the relatives.
They were moving to the area, but a breakdown had used up their limited funds. They had almost gotten to their destination. My little help got them the rest of the way, and with full stomachs.
It's a matter of assessing the situation, it seems to me.
Where is that picture of the panhandler with the sign "I need money for beer, pot and a hooker. At least I'm not bullsh!tting you!!"
I keep Poptarts in the car for beggars. They always like Poptarts.