Panhandlers' income

MADISON, Wis. - Panhandling in Madison can be more lucrative than the jobs of many people who donate, a WISC-TV investigation revealed...

WISC-TV went undercover for two and a half hours Nov. 9, first on the corner of Gammon and Watts roads and later at Gammon and Odana roads on the city's far west side. An employee posed as a panhandler, and donations received during that time included $80 in cash and change, a box of granola bars, a banana, pizza and a soda. In total, the money and food obtained equaled $36 an hour, or more than $70,000 a year without paying taxes.

The money, plus a matching donation from WISC-TV, will go to the Salvation Army of Dane County to help with the agency's family shelter program...

McCaw broke panhandlers into two categories: those who are actually homeless and need the money, and people who sometimes have houses and jobs and prey on generous members of the public for spending money...

Police and the leaders of charitable organizations urged Madison residents to give to charities that provide meals and shelter to the homeless. 

Further details at Channel3000.com