For those of us that want to help the homeless/panhandlers but feel conflicted about handing money: carry granola/snackbars

This post isn't to argue about the merits of panhandling and whether panhandlers genuinely are people in need, it's about how you can help without handing out cash and feeling good about it along the way.Where I live (Portland, Maine), panhandlers are a frequent sight in the medians at traffic lights. We have it bad in Portland (because of the 7 months of temperate weather and richer areas) but I used to live in San Francisco where it was even worse. I like to help people who ask when I can. I used to hand out change but I always felt conflicted. I have worked with and volunteered for various homeless social programs and I am all too familiar that it is a life that is rife with mental illness and substance abuse. Not only that, but there are those out there who pose as homeless and can make decent money just holding a sign.So I always felt bad giving cash. Aside from it possibly going to a posing individual, I mostly worried that it wouldn't be used appropriately and while I know it's not my place to judge, I want to make sure I am actually helping them get by. Even after I would hand a buck over, I always felt a twinge of guilt.Now, I carry a box of granola bars with me in my car. I pick up a spare box or two everytime I go shopping and will hand them out by the bar when I can. I found it is great for several reasons:1) I know I'm offering direct aid in the form of food.2) Unlike fresh food it wont spoil, its small enough to put in a pocket and doesnt require heat, water or utensils to eat.3) Judging by the reaction I can genuinely pick out the thankful needy from the cash seeking fakers.4) Because of doing this, I have made little connections with some of the more frequent people. Its nice to be able to have a short conversation about how their day is going instead of awkwardly fiddling around in my car so that I can pretend like I don't see them.I'm not saying this will cure poverty, I've always just tried to help where I can, but giving out snack bars made me feel okay about doing it.That's all, I just wanted to share a lifehack that maybe did some good for others and made you feel better about doing it.