If they aren’t begging in the street, or telling everyone around them sad “poor me” stories, then who cares if they are “sponging” as you say. If people want to give them things out of the kindness of their hearts, then so be it. Doesn’t seem like they are doing that to me.
I am so glad to see I am not the only one who posts 2 and 3 times. What’s better than a good comment? A good comment three times ....