I need to do more to help the poor people around me.

assuming some of they are not well off people doing it.

waiting for the light

When I used to drive through the intersection where that situation would happen I’d ignore their requests for money (I didn’t have much) but unless I was in an especially bad mood I’d give them a friendly hello, and sometimes they’d be happy enough to stop and chat with someone who treated them like human being for a moment. Otherwise they’d ignore me and move on, which is also fine.

it pays well but requires dealing with public. so no thanks

As much as I understand that panhandling pays decently, it always really affects me to see someone who’s come to the point where that seems like the best option. If I had the money I would happily give them some, but unfortunately I rarely do. And I know that reenforces the behavior and I shouldn’t, but haven’t beggars always been a part of human culture? I’m not here to change that, I just want to be able to think I might have helped someone who needed it.