At first I was going to say that I would be happy for the person, because hopefully their life would now be better for them
But then I Reread the part about "who claims to a panhandler" which to me means that this person could even have a job, a home etc, but begs for money because they are good at it.
Our local news did a piece on a guy here that they thought at first was homeless, but come to find out he lived in a big fancy house, had a fancy car, and a job, but would get dressed in scrubby clothes daily, and go out and he was good at begging for money
So I guess in the end, its how I feel about myself, I would feel good , because I would think I did someone who may be down and out some good.