We get a neighborhood newspaper at our house which we hardly ever read. Although it does have some value, hardly any of the articles are applicable to me, and I usually find myself thinking, "What a waste of paper this is" when I dump it into the recycling bin every week. But for some reason, I felt like reading it the other day, and it had some information in it that I felt was worth passing on.
I don't think it comes as any surprise to most Houstonians that homelessness is a problem in our city. When you drive through certain areas of town or along the access roads of just about any highway, there are people out asking for money. In fact, this article said that there are an estimated 8700 homeless people on the streets, which was far more than I would have thought. The general wisdom is that you should not give money to these people; that many of them are dishonest or are addicts. And who wants to be taken advantage of or to promote an addiction? This article also points out that your personal safety is a consideration. But I always hear Jesus' words in the back of my mind:
'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40So what to do?
The best advice that I've heard in various settings is that there are shelters where these people can go to receive help and food, and that the best thing you can do is to point homeless people there. But where are they? What am I supposed to do, drive them there? If I am concerned for my personal safety, definitely not. So I feel fairly helpless on this issue, yet I do know it would honor God to care for people in need. A few times, if I've had something handy, I've given some food, which seems like the most immediate help, but that still doesn't help them beyond the next few minutes. It feels like a drop in the bucket.
The person interviewed for the article, though, had a great idea: he said he hands out nutrition bars with a Help Card attached. The Help Card is available for download through homelesshouston.org, and it lists all the shelters available in the city and what services they offer. Now, this seems like something very practical that just about anyone can do. And, considering that some panhandlers are either not actually homeless (looking for a work-free buck) or choose for whatever reason not to get help from shelters, giving them a snack plus this card not only gives them some immediate nutrition but also puts the burden of responsibility on the recipient--they can accept the help or choose not to, but at least they now know help is available and how to get it.
So one of my projects over the next day or two is to assemble a small box full of cereal bars with these Help Cards attached. I'll put it under the front seat console in my car so it's within easy reach when I want it. And the next time the opportunity presents itself and the situation seems safe, I'll be prepared.
I just thought I'd share, since this seems like something small yet practical, and some of you might want to do it, too.
4 comments:
Love this! Thank you for sharing. I have thought many times about putting together bags (I think I even have the idea pinned) of snacks and assorted supplies like socks, chapstick, gum etc. to keep in my car and hand out.
The thing I keep in mind when I do give food to someone standing with a sign, is that it isn't for me to worry about what they do with what I give them. It is my concern to do what God has called me to do, as evidenced by the verse you shared. So I don't worry too much about whether someone is actually homeless or not.
True, Katie! I have thought of that before, too, although not recently. Thanks for your thoughts!
Having worked with this population before, I'll offer some thoughts based on my experience.
1. Often when it seems safe is when it's least safe. Keep in mind that life on the streets is survival of the fittest, and manipulation is the name of the game.
2. This is touched on a bit in the passage, and in your comments, but it's good to think about wants vs needs. With this in mind, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to discern the true needs of a person sitting next to them for 30 seconds while in one's car.
The approach you're proposing, while very thoughtful, most likely will not affect anyone you're likely to come into contact with, while exposing you to undue risk.
Let me pose a scenario that offers a spiritual parallel: What do you think is a more effective means of evangelism, going to a strange city and walking around passing out tracts, or building relationships with those you naturally come into contact with over time, and working with churches in the neighborhoods you feel a burden for?
Personally, I'd say the latter.
So where does that leave us with the current question of what to do about the homelessness issue? I'd use the help card to become aware of the efforts being done already to reach the homeless population and see how you can contribute. We do have a responsibility to reach that population, as the passage indicates. And, there are lots of ministries involved that do good work, but could always use more resources in a massive city like Houston. Those ministries also have the manpower and logistics to more effectively and safely reach those that actually want help.
And that's all I have to say about that.
P.S. It was all I could do not to make a Dr. Horrible joke somewhere in the middle of all of that :).
Hmm. Thanks, Andrew.
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