When I used to live much closer to an urban area (Not intended as a stereotype, just a topographical description) where population density was much higher, it was not uncommon to have people ask for a couple of bucks to get something to eat. I didn't carry cash back then (mostly because my income was low and it was a good way to avoid impulse buys) so my standard answer was, "Sorry, can't help ya,".
There were a couple of times, however, when the person asking for money was much older than I was and I offered to take them to the local grocery store and buy them a couple of days worth of canned goods and bottled water. One accepted, one didn't.
