When I was in college I became interested in the local homeless population, or I might have simply been interested in making myself feel good.  On cold January day I went to Wal-Mart for a few items and then completed my shopping with a visit to the local Dairy Queen.  That's right I was held up by the glorious "Texas Stop Sign" and specifically a delightful treat, dear to my heart named the Butterfinger Blizzard...the "LARGE Butterfinger Blizzard with EXTRA Butterfinger" to be exact.  As I pulled out of the shopping center and continued home, I saw a lady sitting in a lawn chair at the entrance of the parking lot.  I am not sure if I was in panic, knee jerk overcompensation, some form of guilt or just a complete malfunction, but I rolled down my passenger window and handed the woman my coveted Blizzard.  She set down her "Homeless, Need Help" sign and took my treat in what seemed to be disarray, the bad kind.  The temperature outside was less than the average freezer, she was asking for money, and I found it in the "goodness of my heart" to give her what could most accurately be described as a bucket of ice cream.  She was not the only person surprised, I drove off wandering what just happened as if I could blame someone for my own actions.

Weeks later I was given the opportunity to redeem myself I sat at a red light and across the intersection was a man holding his usual panhandling sign.  I had a cup holder full of quarters due to a failed trip to the laundry mat.  As the light turned green, panic set in once again.  I had a handful of coins, the stress of cars behind me that have been anxiously awaiting a green light, the self-inflicted pressure to "help" this man as we have made eye contact (I blame thank my parents for that complex), and only the time to roll the window down halfway.  Well disaster number 2, I drove by slowly expecting the man to come to me for no real reason other than "He wants Money.  I have money.  Lets meet in the middle."  He did not make it to my car so I tried to toss him a handful of change through a window that was kind of open.  As I write this, I turn red in the face and hope you understand that I am not a complete nut.  There was change everywhere in the road, multiple drivers had elected to honk in irritation, the man surely did not experience the thankfulness and dignity that I intended to offer, and my shame shadowed over me until....well, as I said I am red in the face right now.

In talking with folks daily who work directly with the chronic homeless I learn new things and have new questions.  I read an article recently about panhandlers in Denver, CO.  The research had discovered that most panhandlers are not homeless and most homeless do not panhandle in Denver.  I heard someone say recently, "there is a difference between the homeless and panhandlers, one is a business and the other a circumstance."  That thought made real sense to me.  The article referring to the issue of Panhandlers in Denver explained that 90% of the money given to Denver panhandlers goes to further enabling their lifestyle and/or addictions.  In 2005, Denver citizens provided 4.5 million dollars in total to the industry that is panhandling.

After working at SAMMinistries for nearly 2 years I see that their are sources available to the homeless and those in need.  The need will likely always out number the resources and services, but I am no longer convinced that my previous approach is as effective as I once thought.  In fact, it seems it may have been counter productive.

The SAMM Shelter residents now have access to more than 40 non-profit organizations assisting with everything from ID Recovery to Job Readiness Programs at their fingertips.  The San Antonio homeless are being served by caring and compassionate professionals, social service organizations, businesses, and congregations in an effort to change the culture.  SAMMinistries currently serves 600 men, women, and children a day, that number will likely double by 2011.  We are moving our Commerce Shelter, a space of 32,000 square feet to the new and improved residential facilities on the Haven for Hope campus, 120,000 square feet of strictly residential space.  Our budget has gone from 5.3 million dollars to 6.2 million dollars.  SAMMinistries, as well as the other 40+ organizations on campus could use your "cup holder support."  If you can not donate money, donate time.  If you can not donate time, pray for the ministry.  Pray for the members.  Pray for the funding.  Pray for the change.