Steve Burger, former executive director of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, urges Americans not to give money to the homeless on the streets.
“If you give a dollar to a panhandler, often you are really funding the local tavern or drug dealer,” Burger said. “Most Americans do not know how to give effectively or wisely. I wish that people would stop giving spare change to the homeless because it can promote irresponsible and self-destructive behaviors.”
Following are Burger's tips for how people can help homeless men, women, and children:
• Don't give money hand-outs. Instead, purchase food items yourself, refer the person to an agency that can provide food or shelter, or give coupons to restaurants or grocery stores that can be redeemed for food.
• Donate food to a local agency. Food is usually in short supply at rescue missions; they especially need items such as juices, meats, soups and stews.
• Donate clothes (jackets, sweatshirts, new underwear, socks, shoes, knit hats and gloves) that can be used by both men and women.
• Because the fastest growing groups of homeless people are children and women with children, there is a need for disposable diapers, baby food and formula, clothing and blankets.
• Homeless children dream of new toys such as dolls, trucks and games. These donations may be the only gifts they receive for a birthday or Christmas.
• Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, combs and shaving lotions are always welcome.
Used with permission of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions