How can I help?

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I live in a very economically depressed area where around 40% of the population in my neighborhood is below the poverty level. So many times people in my neighborhood get upset because someone needed help and so they tried to do the right thing and help them. Ultimately getting burned and leaving a bad taste in their mouth about helping people in the future. I am curious about the ways others choose to help neighbors who might be be struggling. Helping others doesn't always have to be giving something of yours to help others and then getting taken advantage of. This was a hard lesson for me to learn myself. For example, if someone comes to me wanting assistance paying their electric bill or wanting me to buy them food. If I feel like they are taking advantage I might offer them a ride to the foodbank or offer them information on where they might go to get help with their utilities. Does anyone else have the same feeling as some of my neighbors? Do you feel like you have helped people and don't anymore because of the behavior of a few? Remember helping someone could be as simple as smiling and telling someone to have a great day.