The fantastic issue about volunteering at a soup kitchen or a food pantry is the proximity to those you're assisting. My Mom Marie Bilodeau, who ran the food pantry at our church, returned residence every week with private stories regarding the folks she helped. Her experiences generally reminded me about a book I read in college referred to as Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. The book had a profound effect on my view of your notion of philanthropy since it known as to activity any method of charity that necessarily insulates the gift-give in the receiver.

That isn’t to say that we do not want checks written or canned goods dropped off by folks who by no means meet these whom they aid. And I’m not labeling the attending of a dinner benefit aimed at raising money for the poor “a terrible thing”. Rather it really is to say that we should always a minimum of endeavor to reduce the distance between us and these we support. It is a lot more comfy to attend a charity banquet than to assist bathe the homeless like did Mother Teresa. The vision for which I am arguing is, for that reason, one that injects a ministry not only of items but of folks, namely a ministry of presence.

So I’d prefer to get started a project named The Gift Card Project, where the gift is not as substantially the monetary donation however the person himself, namely YOU. I’d like to challenge men and women (myself integrated) to carry with you at all times quite a few $5 or $10 gift cards for local restaurants like McDonald’s or Burger King and preserve your eyes open for those who need assistance. It is remarkable how several individuals about us are actively soliciting help in the course of your weekly stroll into Walmart or although leaving the gas station.

The challenge of The Gift Card Project is definitely the string attached towards the gift card - to possess a actual conversation with all the person to whom you might be providing the gift card. Ask them how they may be carrying out, what has brought them there. Your ministry of presence is worth more than the money itself.

My long-term objective will be to work with restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King to create custom gift cards that, when cashed in by a person who is homeless, let the person to return later that day for a further meal.

The Gift Card Project helps the homeless inside a sensible way though also reminding them of their very own dignity, which can be not depleted due to the fact of their present state. Pivoting out of poverty initial demands an individual to think in that dignity. That is certainly the true target of The Gift Card Project.

Let’s encourage and learn from each other. And I’m curious about your experience with this challenge. Please let me know What has been your experience though partaking in “The Gift Card Project”?