My wife helped someone out that was in a financial pinch once similar to this experience, only on a more personal scale because we know her and live near her.  She needed help, we helped her out.  I would bet that you will receive sometime in your life, something in return for your good deeds.  Might be a prayer in a time of illness, a helping hand in time of need who knows.  I would hold your head high and feel that you probably did the right thing, why second guess yourself? What would that accomplish?  I would rather give from my pocket to someone that truely is needy than pay taxes to a program that is giving to some who are not!