Dear Mr. Calanni (photographer who provided this shot),

Could you please, please go back to that street and find that poor woman and see that she gets some socks and shoes on her poor feet? It breaks my heart to see her barefooted like that. What'dya say? They don't have to be expensive...just some simple sneakers or something like that. I would do it, but I'm too far away. It could be your good deed for the day, okay? Please?

I remember people begging in Europe after WW 2 -- our family could never pass one by without offering something even if it was just a tiny bit...

There is a poem about a man who complained, until he saw someone who was worse off, for each thing he complained about. Including shoes, until he saw someone with no feet. We will all have opportunities to go to the assistance of others.

I remember meeting a drunk, asleep in a warehouse district, as a young teenager on my way to my first day working a part-time job. He was on the sidewalk. I froze, unable to think of anything to do for him. My heart just broken to see another human being, in such need and I had nothing I could give or do for him.I had taken a bus, walked sixteen block to get where I needed to be. It left me devastated not being able to help in anyway. He was gone when I returned just over four hours later. I never saw him again.

It is clear, we will always have the poor among us.With the recent recession, many families have lost their homes, so we are seeing children on the streets with their parents in greater numbers. Of these, quite a few who never imagined themselves in such a position. While many more Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Barely scraping by, hoping things will improve.But with more taxes expected, there may yet be families forced onto the streets.Some will say, it's only fifty bucks or so more.But for those already barely holding on, that might be just the straw that breaks the camel's back.

It is easy for many who are in better positions, to harshly judge those who end up poor, as being lazy, having done something to deserve their fate. But many end up that way through medical bills. I have insurance for medical bills, yet still learned, hospitals can refuse what my insurance offers as standard accepted rates for usually services. If that happens, I am stuck to pay the bill instead. How stupid is that? No wonder families can end up losing everything due to medical costs.

So, I keep that in mind when I see those begging on the streets. While some are professional, and actually don't need such funds, if I am going to help, I give a hot meal instead.In addition I will donate to local charities, items of clothing, food, time like helping to serve food. That way I know what i am doing goes to help those in greatest needs.Making sure agencies are established, well known ones also helps avoid fly by night fraudulent ones out to rip off people who are anxious to help. Especially after a disaster strikes.

Your compassion does you credit, but a few things: First, we have little to go on about this person's identity. Look at those feet: They look to be in fairly good shape - not wrinkled, worn, callused, bloody, etc. Okay, cane and a hunch: Those can easily be a prop and faked, respectively. Same with the awkward gait: there's no visible deformity to account for it, so it could well be done on purpose. Don't see a face: is it really an old woman? This person (he/she/it/whatever) seems to have had no trouble finding a dress, shawl, THICK gloves...so why the incongruous bare feet sticking out?

Anyone who's spent much time in Europe will tell you that there are many professional beggars there, who go to elaborate lengths to pretend like they've got some kind of disability (like a blind beggar I saw once on the subway who stuck his head in the door of my car, looked up one side and down the other, and left because there weren't many people there. It's like the sign people here in the States who cut holes in their jeans' knees with a razor to look more pitiful.

I'm not saying that there aren't people in genuine need, but there are plenty of folks who'll put on a big charade to play to your sympathies, and the beggar in this picture sure looks suspicious to me.