The feeling which you had by becoming compassionate to the fallen bum is very good, but the best way to deliver a bum is to revive his dormant Krishna Consciousness. If you can do that then give the bums good food and shelter. If you cannot do that, then simple supplying food and shelter is serving the Maya.

From Srila Prabhupada's letter to Mrinaline  —  Vrindaban 27 August, 1967