The charities suck man. Do you have any idea how many people go to charities for access to housing, food, clothes, jobs, healthcare, etc? Sometimes people can't even get into shelters because they are full. It takes ages to get approved for medicaid and food stamps, not to mention how difficult it is for someone who's poor to get to and from their appointments to get these things. The waitlist for section 8 housing is years long in some states. I mean, I'm happy for your anecdotal evidence of you being able to access the goods and services you need, but I have my own anecdotal evidence from 5 separate cities in 2 different states that says it's not impossible to be an American and be hungry and homeless.