I am always leary of "homeless" people, I know there are some truly homeless, but I also saw a special on 20/20 awhile back that followed some of the people you see standing on the side of the road with the please help, god bless signs. Several of them went to their cars (parked about 5 blocks away, behind a building) drove to a really nice house on the other side of the city, cleaned up and went to a fancy restraunt for dinner. They interviewed a few of them (faces blacked out, of coarse). Summary: Some panhandlers make more than $50,000 per year standing on street corners. That made me sick!! So if I see someone that looks like they are sincere with their will work for food sign, I will go buy them a burger and fries or something and give to them with very little money.. I saw a guy once in McDonalds counting change, trying to make enough to buy a cup of coffee to warm up (no loitering in McD's, so you either buy something or get out). I bought him a cheeseburger, fries, and coffee and gave him about $5. He was so grateful he shook my hand and said thank you about 25 times while I waited for my food. That makes a person feel good!
Now about the dog food--- great idea!! I often see dogs with people standing on the corner with homeless signs. :(