Yes,I have been homeless the best thing you could give is protein bars,hand warmers,or long johns,socks,or mouthwash.especially a shower ticket from the nearest truck stop!

You can go to a thrift store and purchase blankets, warm coats, and sleeping bags very cheaply then hand them out to the homeless. Your $50 would stretch a long way if you look for good thrift stores. You might be able to talk to a local thrift store affiliated with a church or charity and get them even cheaper than at other thrift stores. When I lived somewhere with a high homeless population I kept a few blankets I had picked up for a buck or two in my car and gave them to random people. I would think that with winter coming that would be much appreciated. Oh, yes, I have been homeless. Luckily an agency put me up in a motel until I got back on my feet. I was within a week of actually being on the streets by the time I was able to get back on track.

I have never been homeless but I volunteer at the shelter a lot. Buy some blankets, you wouldn't believe how grateful some people would be for a warm blanket.

Ive never been homeless but I think the best thing you could do with 50.00 is donate it to a homeless shelter. Your money would probably go further to more ppl in need.

a good dinner.

No I havent. But I'd say blanket socks toothbrush toothpaste & use the rest of the money for a McDonalds gift card (:

Other than what has been mentioned, you can buy food and donate it to a soup kitchen or even a shelter. You would be amazed at how much "cheap" stuff they go thru.. kool aid, cookies, canned soup, bags of beans and rice (tons of that). socks, gloves, personal care items. You would be amazed at how fast shelters go thru things like shampoo and soap and razors, etc. Homeless is not just on the street, their is also a GREAT need at the shelters and soup kitchens. People don't donate their and millions more will be on the street homeless and starving. I was homeless last year

it's good to help, just be careful not all homeless people are... sane. i have been in the street living in an abandoned houses garage homeless and i have seen to dark underbelly of the case off class. 1. some homeless are there becaude of a substance abuse problem and only want more money for their fix. 2. some homeless are mentally unbalanced (like my grandmother: who had the money to rent an apartment but thought "THEY" would find her if she stayed in one place to long) and can be dangerous (grams would tear your eyes out if you got to close or she though you were with "THEM") 3. then there are the growing number of people who loose everything in our failing economy and have no were to turn. my suggestion would be to get together with some friends and follow "Arisztid - I am sort of backs" idea; go in a group together to give thrift store blankets, sleeping bags, coats, gloves, scarves, etc. just remember this is kind of like feeding strays, don't go into their layers, don't let them corner you and don't go alone.

I have never been homeless, but my son is. He is because of some choices he has made as well as some mental issues that I believe he has. People try to cope with him for as long as they can, but it is difficult because of his behavior. Nevertheless, I try to help him as much as I can. He works, but he doesn't make enough and he still needs food. I buy him blankets and socks when I can. He loses many of those things. I buy him gift cards from fast food establishments. I buy him little care packages with high protein foods such as Vienna sausages and other things that can be easily opened and don't need to be cooked. I do that for other homeless folks as well. Agencies that help the homeless can usually stretch a dollar better than I can because they get matching funds, donations, and discounts. However, I think personal involvement is a good thing. I also give my son money, but in small amounts because he will use larger amounts to buy things that keep him homeless. I worry about him, but I do all I can and he cannot live in our home or neighborhood or around our grandson. Life can be tough. It is nice to know that there are people out thee who care. to know that every help your already kind heart to know that every homeless person out there is someone's child. Do what seems right to you. Plant a seed. Others will come along and water. You have a good heart.

I've given McDonalds gift certificates, they have to trade them for food.

I was for a short time when I was young. The best thing for us was food & blankets when it was cold. Don't give money.... do a gift cert. to fast food or something, that way you know that the money is being used on something needed.