My friend Carrie told me this story: "A woman came up to me in the parking lot of the grocery store. With a baby on her hip, she asked for money for formula. How could I leave her baby to starve? I couldn't even give her food from my grocery bags; her baby needed formula. She had me and she knew it. I gave her twenty dollars but then I told her, I'm going to sit here and watch you go into that store and make sure you buy formula.' I did, but once she got in the store, I don't know what she bought, if anything."

We've all been there. Walking down city streets where the homeless shield themselves against the cold with layers of clothes, newspapers, and cardboard boxes. Some ask for money, but most of them don't stir as we walk by. The church parking lot following Sunday services is a great place for homeless people to ask for money. Church members are good for several twenties. After all, the Bible says not to turn away when someone asks for our help. They can't turn away, especially when their children are watching. Or can they?

What's the harm in a few dollars to a person who obviously needs it? When we give our money directly to the man on the corner, we allow him to spend it any way he wants, whether on food, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. A few dollars to a homeless shelter can feed several men while giving it to one man might not feed even one.

The homeless don't need our small change or dollar bills. They need help. Every community has resources set up to assist the homeless. It is up to the homeless to make use of them, if they choose. A homeless person with free money in his pocket is never going to make the choice of visiting a shelter and receiving the help that can eventually lead to the resolution of his problems. As long as they have money for alcohol or drugs, they have no need to clean up, get sober, and find a job. Every time you give money to a panhandler, you are prolonging his situation.

Our downtown library was plagued with homeless people harassing the patrons as they left the building. The good people of the community wanted to help, but the more dollar bills and coins they handed out, the more the homeless gathered on the front steps. The library considered putting up a sign asking patrons not to give money to panhandlers but it felt callous, not in the keeping of a building that exists as a community service.

The library staff made up small cards that listed local shelters and kitchens where the homeless could get a meal.

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