The fantastic thing about volunteering at a soup kitchen or a food pantry is definitely the proximity to those you're helping. My Mom Marie Bilodeau, who ran the food pantry at our church, returned home each and every week with private stories concerning the individuals she helped. Her experiences normally reminded me about a book I read in college named Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. The book had a profound effect on my view of the notion of philanthropy because it referred to as to task any system of charity that necessarily insulates the gift-give in the receiver.

That isn’t to say that we do not require 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 revenue for the poor “a bad thing”. Rather it's to say that we must always at least endeavor to lower the distance involving us and those we help. It really is additional comfortable to attend a charity banquet than to help bathe the homeless like did Mother Teresa. The vision for which I am arguing is, as a result, one particular that injects a ministry not just of issues but of men and women, namely a ministry of presence.

So I’d prefer to start out a project referred to as The Gift Card Project, where the gift isn’t as a lot the monetary donation however the individual himself, namely YOU. I’d prefer to challenge people (myself integrated) to carry with you constantly a number of $5 or $10 gift cards for neighborhood restaurants like McDonald’s or Burger King and preserve your eyes open for all those who will need assist. It is wonderful how a lot of individuals about us are actively soliciting help throughout your weekly walk into Walmart or whilst leaving the gas station.

The challenge of The Gift Card Project will be the string attached for the gift card?-?to have a actual conversation with the particular person to whom you might be providing the gift card. Ask them how they may be undertaking, what has brought them there. Your ministry of presence is worth more than the money itself.

My long-term aim will be to perform with restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King to create custom gift cards that, when cashed in by somebody who's homeless, allow the individual to return later that day for another meal.

The Gift Card Project helps the homeless inside a sensible way whilst also reminding them of their very own dignity, that is not depleted because of their current state. Pivoting out of poverty initially requires a person to think in that dignity. That may be the true aim of The Gift Card Project.

Let’s encourage and find out from one another. And I’m curious about your experience with this challenge. Please let me know What has been your expertise although partaking in “The Gift Card Project”?