A 2002 study of 54 panhandlers in Toronto reported that of a median monthly income of $ 638 CAD , those interviewed spent a median of $ 200 CAD on food and $ 192 CAD on alcohol , tobacco and illegal drugs . A 2002 study of 54 panhandlers in Toronto reported that of a median monthly income of $ 638 Canadian dollars ( CAD ) , those interviewed spent a median of $ 200 CAD on food and $ 192 CAD on alcohol , tobacco and illegal drugs , according to Income and spending patterns among panhandlers , by Rohit Bose and Stephen W. Hwang .