The rich lady gives alms to a poor old lady before she enters the temple.

Indeed giving alms is a religious deed, good for her karma. Karma meaning in Hinduism: everything you do, comes back to you, even in next life. (Karma comes from Sanskrit meaning doing)

After giving the alms she feels herself in a better mood to go and pray in the temple.

How beautiful this act is, Indians helping Indians for earning a better life. Charity in India has a deep sense for Indians ....!

Now you can understand, how meaningless it would be for a foreigner giving some money to this same old lady. He would takes away the real sense of alms in India certainly at a temple and his act would only commercialize begging.
Some food or drink would be appropriate here to give her.
So please remember vellikaran (=foreigner), charity in India is not always done by money but rather by sharing.

Enjoy this nice act here of alms for karma.

This candid-shot was taken from across the street full of traffic right in front of the temple with all the shops. No crop was done, concentrated on the action.