Do You Help Those Who Are Hurting?

On a personal level what do you do when you come across,meet,run across, run into, see or encounter a homeless person? Do you frown on them? Do you show compassion for them? or  Do you ignore them?  I believe homelessness is becoming a problem in almost every city in the United States. Riding through the city the other day I saw something that hurt my heart. I saw an entire family holding signs asking for help. I didn't have much money on me but I gave them what I had.
There's a debate that's been on going for a couple of years now of how much responsibility the government should take for helping the homeless. And it has become some what heated. One side of the isle will claim that these people, who are mostly drug addicts and alcoholics, are responsible for themselves. The other side will argue that as a society it is the duty of the people to help others in need. So my question to you my readers are: What side of the debate are you on?