Fast food giant McDonald’s has handed out free food to vagrants in Rome, the capital of Italy. /CFP Photo

Homeless and needy people came to claim a double cheeseburger, chopped apple and bottle of water on Monday, after McDonald’s pledged to donate 1,000 meals a month to a charity over the next six months. /CFP Photo

The company was condemned by Roman Catholic leaders and locals for opening a new branch close to Rome’s historic St. Peter's Square, on the ground floor of a Vatican-owned building, last month. /CFP Photo

The food giveaway in response to the controversy was not welcomed by all. A community group labeled it exploitation of the poor for a public relations gain. /CFP Photo