I don't give money to beggars who are just sat there holding their hand out, but I give to folk playing music and/or singing as they are usually very good.
I have given some money to the homeless (i detest the word beggar) in the past when I have had some spare change. There was one particular homeless guy that used to come into an off-licence I worked in. He came in every night around 10pm to buy cans of Special Brew if he had enough change. One particularly cold winter, I bought in some blankets and a change a warm clothes for him and he was so grateful that it broke my heart. I just think its nice to do things for someone less fortunate than yourself as you never know... one day, that could be you.
No. I feel there are enough organisations out there that are being paid for by the government, or are charitable institutions. If these people can't get a meal, or benefits of some kind, then there is usually a reason, so I wont help.