Food, sure. Money probably not.
Cell phone almost certainly not, although I might make a call for them.

If  it's food they want, I would never walk away from that.  Money, on the other hand, is a little different situation.  I really do think a person has to use a little more discretion.  It would really depend on the situation.

Cell phone: never to a stranger.

No money, but food and phone are things I will break with.

once again if i have it to give i have no problem helping someone out even a stranger but if think im being scammed i wont give the time of day.

"Food", almost definately. "Money", if I have any on me (I don't carry around much in the way of paper cash anymore). "Cell Phone", I'd be a little wary. I'll call someone for them if they needed it, and if they look genuinely in trouble, I'd lend it to them, but I don't need to be chasing someone down for my cell phone (on second thought, since my phone is kind of crappy and is broken, if someone stole it, I'd probably not bother chasing them down.)

i live in a fairly large city. it is not uncommon to be approached by someone in a parking lot asking for money. they usually have a "story"to tell about their reason for needing money.{ran out gas, money for a bus, sick relative in another town. want money for food etc} Most stories are not true but i usually do not argue and pull out one or two dollars. and then keep going so they do not ask for more.I feel bad for them. maybe I think that has bad as I think I may have it sometimes there are others who are worse off. so a couple dollars I can part with.

To each his own but I always help if I can. It's hard to just walk away.