they just know they can prey on weak human emotion.

This is why I stopped giving them anything.

When McDonalds did the "throwback pricing" on their Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers for 29/39 cents each in the 90s, I got a bunch and went around passing them out at places I'd noticed a lot of homeless at. That was my first taste of reality, when I realized how many of the "hungry" people just wanted money, and were downright rude to me when all I had was food to share. Don't get me wrong, some people seemed genuinely appreciative, but not as many as I'd expected. They were a minority.

Then, I was at the gas station a few years later and overheard some panhandlers bragging how they "suckered" someone into giving them money because of their fake sob story. It's not like I had no idea this happened, but for some reason it meant more to actually hear it myself.

I know it was just one instance, but it was enough for me. There are people out there who need help, but I don't feel like I'm giving to the right people by passing out cash to people on the street corner.