I don't claim a few bucks will lift anyone out of poverty.  Addressing the many issues which lead individuals to poverty is both complex and expensive.  It will require a real commitment from the community, local, county, state and national.  That commitment is not there now.  Money from panhandling, like the several homeless camps in Eugene is only a "stopgap" measure.  I would never claim otherwise.  

I would like (to use your colorful pharae) to "do squat" for the homeless and the impoverished who today live on the streets across our nation.  I'd like to help them find a way to improve their condition.  ...Residential treatment for the hundreds of thousands of homeless addicts and alcoholics? Supported living for the developmentally disabled? Community-based mental health facilities and services? Support for the abused and homeless women and children? A VA which provides adequate support? The list goes on.

"Teach a man to fish" is a simple and inadequate cliche' solution.