In Portland, OR there have been reports of rackets set up on busy highway intersections--people panhandle and give a portion of their money to some guy in a suit that oversees the scheme. In order to combat panhandling, drug abuse and prostitution, the Hawthorne district of Portland has started selling "homeless bucks" that will buy a homeless person a meal at a low-cost cafe in the area. Seattle has a similar program in their U District. It helps people who really need help.
