the homeless in Toronto are funny. A dude walked into tim hortons and asked everyone in line for change
then he started hitting up all the cars in the drive through and stood next to the speaker so every time a car would pull up he asked them for money LOL
This time of year, we’re going to be asked for money. Whether it’s when we’re walking into the grocery store, from our car on the street corner or just stopping at the gas station – it happens.
So how do we respond in a Christ-like way?
We find ourselves not knowing how to help. We think of excuses LIKE thinking we’re enabling, saying they’ll just use the money to purchase alcohol or drugs.
Then if we don’t give we’re playing judge, making assumptions about these people we don’t know who are in a situation most of us have never known.
Judging them might help us escape a feeling of guilt, but the cost may be we miss an opportunity to love our neighbor and a chance for them to experience God’s love and grace.
So what can we do?
Think local: Find out about local Christ-centered organizations. These groups have experience and an understanding that can provide long-term, sustainable help.
A great way to help the poor in your city is to support these organizations. Create small cards with the name, website and phone number of the organization that you can offer to someone who needs help.
Think beyond panhandling: “Those most vulnerable are often the least visible,” Chris said. The panhandlers who seem to be the poster children for homelessness are not always those in true need. There mothers working two jobs, kids couch-hopping just to sleep at night and veterans who can’t get a job, Chris said. These are the ones we could focus our efforts on.
Check with the organizations to see if there are volunteer opportunities to make an on-going impact.
Within Cru, there are opportunities like mentoring in an after-school program like a S.A.Y. Yes! Center or assisting in an Adult Development program. There’s even opportunities to help pack holiday food supplies with Boxes of Love. Take some time to learn about more opportunities to give of your time and money.
Think food: This rules out the drug and alcohol problem entirely. Offer packaged food or a gift card to a local restaurant.
Food items like granola bars are easy to keep in your car or handbag. Ten-dollar gift cards from McDonald’s, Burger King and other fast food restaurants can go a long way. These restaurants are easy to find, open most days and casual enough to make anyone comfortable.
Think dignity: If you feel led to offer cash, don’t just give pocket change. Giving dimes may say to someone that’s about how much they’re worth, Cynthia said. So when giving, try to be aware of what the gift will say to the person.
Think beyond the holidays: “If people need food on Thanksgiving, people need food all year long,” Cynthia said.
Think big picture: Poverty is complex and involves much more than the lack of material things. Choosing to be involved with people in need isn’t always easy, but few things that really matter are easy.
The homeless are sumtimes healthy...healthier than the rest of us. Toronto's weather is somewhat moderated by Lake Huron...but it still gets pretty fucken cold.
