Despite news stories to the contrary, it is NOT a crime to give handouts to people at street corners and intersections. (A bill was filed during the last legislative session to make illegal the “offering of things of value” on highways and public streets, but that language was amended out of the bill before it became law.) However, it is a crime to solicit, beg, panhandle or otherwise request anything of value on any interstate highway, public right-of-way or any interstate entrance/exit ramp. The law specifically defines “anything of value” to mean cash, currency, coin or other financial instrument. Giving out our Grace Care Bags is not illegal for the giver and should not pose a legal problem for the recipients insofar as our bags do not include money.