Donations to charities/causes & giving $ to the homeless

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The west is quickly turning into the 3rd world. So, don't speak too soon.

An oligarch, a worker, and an immigrant approach a table with 1000 cookies.

The oligarch takes 999 cookies and tells the worker, watch out, that immigrant wants to steal your cookie.

I want to address this topic.
I think it's understood that people on the spectrum can be taken advantage of at times
as they are already in a vulnerable position. They can be preyed upon and this is wrong.
How many on the spectrum have been the victims of fraud or deceit from others?
I'd like to see statistics, it would be interesting.

At the same time, there are a lot of astute, prudent and fiscally wise people that have autism.
Having the condition does not mean you are easy to part with your dollars by any means.

Today I was on my way to a convenience store and noticed a woman sleeping on a pathway. She was probably in her 20s and
had one of her feet in a walking boot indicating she may have had an injured ankle.

Unfortunately it's a common site where I live to see people passed out from drugs & livings on the streets.
I suspected she may have been an addict though I couldn't tell for sure.

When I was in the convenience store I saw the woman again inside the store. She asked if I could buy her a coffee.
Normally I do not like to part with my cash but I did feel a sense of empathy for her and her situation. I asked clerk how much a coffee cost and gave her $2.

At the same time, I view her behaviour as kind of manipulative. Some people will enter fast food or convenience stores hoping there is a customer who will give them money. They are in the store knowing they do not have the $ to pay for whatever it is they want. Businesses don't like loiterers and this kind of behaviour.

There are numerous social support agencies within walking distance of my neighbourhood that provide hot meals, shelter and coffee. Someone who is begging for money for food in my city is either not aware of the social supports or chooses not to use them and tries to panhandle instead. In my view it's more often the latter. This woman - despite her foot being in a boot - she was still able to walk on two feet and get around.

One other thing I want to talk about is how sometimes, donations are not acknowledged and you are not thanked.
I have made numerous donations to a non for profit associated with Ukraine. As I have part Ukrainian heritage, I do feel connected to the war- even though I was not born there. I made one particularly large donation last year. Large relative to my income. I was never thanked or acknowledged. I was a bit disappointed. I never received a receipt from them either.

I later followed up with the organization and asked them to provide proof that my donation had been used for the intended purpose. They did provide proof.

I help people when I am able to do so. I’m not wealthy but I care. I will care always. I won’t ever shame anyone or their circumstance. Everyone has his/her own life story and no one benefits from judgement of others who are struggling to survive. Also, society wields enormous social power over others, especially those individuals within lower income brackets. I don’t want them to ever feel like outcasts if they are genuinely in need of help. I’ve given food, money, gift cards, furniture, blankets, cook stoves, mending kits, sleeping bags, tents, and toiletries. I won’t ever stop giving, no matter what the mobs say.

I don't give money to panhandlers as a rule. It is usually either a scam of some sort or someone looking for drug money.