To help or not

Why do we help other people ? Why help anyone at all. The term has largely been reduced to giving miniscule amount of alms to the poor , weak and hungry which gives us a sense of satisfaction and empowerment to be able to change other people lives. And no, I would not ask you to donate whole heartedly. Donation is not help.  And in ancient times there were certain requirements and conditions for a person to be a donor or receiver. Also was prevalent the practice of Aparigraha in Niyama. Not any more. people love to accumulate and quench their unethical guilt in the form of some donation or other. Samaydaan , vidyadaan , shramadaan are things of the past. I am not being pessimistic here. Just suggesting some options. But above all why help at all. Why not keep working for own enjoyment or salvation than help anyone.
The vedantist helps because he understands that unless a man's stomach is full , he can't think of higher things. We were made that way . And for him it is a religious ceremony as if he were paying respect to the One himself. Who is he to help anyone and how could he ? He helps because he las lost his individuality and gained an identification among every other living soul and he sees himself in each of them. It is as if he is helping a divine part of himself. Feed them first and them help them so that they become able to help themselves.