Hi m.o.s.,...I'm wondering if maybe it has to do with people not carrying smaller bills or change much anymore. Near everyone uses a card or a phone banking app. these days. Even for small purchases. Heck I rarely have a pocket of change anymore.

Maybe the uptick in this sort of panhandling has to do with that. It's probably tougher out there these days with change not so common as it was. Not sure how successful the more direct technique winds up being but maybe it evens things back up a little.