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    • Jul 20, 2021
    • 4 min read

HOMELESSNESS: IS IT OK TO GIVE MONEY TO HOMELESS?


END TIME REVIVAL HOMELESS MAN, NYC NEW YORK, APR 2009, KODAK EASYSHARE Z915 DIGITAL CAMERA


Last week while driving for work in Elgin to a meet and greet (this is when I introduce a caregiver to the homecare client), at a stop light a man came by my passenger window asking for money. He was trying to collect money to get a room to stay in.


Usually I never give away money to the homeless. I reason that there are a certain population that are scamming people. Making it out that they are in need but really they are not. It has been my experience that those you encounter can not be trusted. Is it a scam? Is it by choice they are on the streets? Are they abusing substances? Is it related to a particular faith/belief such as shown in the image above? What is the reason for their story?


Homelessness is very close to my heart. I at one time in my own life was homeless. My parents abandoned and neglected me. They chose addiction and their preferred lifestyle over me. I know what it is like to walk the streets throughout the night with no place to call home. Looking for temporary shelter which for the most part would be a bench at a park, a 24 hour diner or a stranger's home for one night. My time also consisted of staying from one motel to the next. Doing whatever was necessary to survive and pay for a night. But that is for another day to share.


Currently, even in my own family there are a few who are homeless (for confidentiality I will not share names). In their case, it is complicated. Partly by choice and consequence. Partly by circumstance.


  1. Choice: Options have been presented for shelter and assistance but because of pride and stubborn will, these are refused. Then others who are able to be employed, again refuse to work.

  2. Consequence: Because of the choices made, naturally the consequences have placed them in a bad situation where there are no other options but to either roam the streets or when possible stay for a night or a few nights at a cheap motel.

  3. Circumstance: There are various circumstances that also have kept them from improving their quality of life. Mental illness is a major factor. Anxiety, depression, bi-polar are just a few to name. Left untreated and undiagnosed keeps them in a state of disrepair.

"Homelessness is not just about having a job or an apartment. Too often homelessness is due to a disordered mind." – Danielle Steel


Are these similar to what the homeless population can relate to?


So how do we know IF it is ok to give money to the homeless? At best they will use it for food or to go towards shelter. At worst, it will be used for their addiction. My preference is always first to provide what is obvious, a meal or a room whenever possible. That way I know for certain where my money is going.


My husband one time had a strong encounter at a Wal-Mart parking lot. As we were leaving, he saw a young man (maybe in his late teens or early 20's) rummaging through the trash cans. His heart weighed heavily at this sight. He couldn't help but stop what he was doing and give him cash he had in hand.


Ways we can help:

  1. Serve in a soup kitchen

  2. Provide meals for a shelter

  3. Give donations

  4. Open your house or provide shelter by other means

  5. Buy one meal and give to those you see in your travels

  6. Prepare survival kits/backpacks; necessary clothing, essentials, dry foods, canned goods and water.

  7. Support local agencies supplying for the poor and homeless community

But above all these listed, the most important is to PRAY. PRAY for their spiritual, emotional and physical health. PRAY for provision. PRAY for education and training to help them become stable and independent. PRAY for mercy and compassion. And PRAY to have a heart to serve and make a difference even if it is just one life. Together we can change lives!

I am one example of what can happen if one person, one family chooses to open their home to take in a person in need and purposefully provide assistance in helping that individual recover from homelessness and rebuild their life. Without it, I would not be writing to you today. I am sure my life would have ended at a young age. All it took was one to make an impact and change my life forever.


In my area today there is approximately 200 homeless people in Elgin. This data is from 2018.


Below is a list of shelters and organizations you can get involved in to help or refer to for further information:

Resources, education and the supportive community

Homeless Shelter in Elgin

Homeless Shelter in St Charles

Shelter Directory and List of Helpful Organizations


If sometimes our poor people have had to die of starvation, it is not that God didn’t care for them, but because you and I didn’t give, were not an instrument of love in the hands of God, to give them that bread, to give them that clothing; because we did not recognize him, when once more Christ came in distressing disguise, in the hungry man, in the lonely man, in the homeless child, and seeking for shelter. ~ Mother Teresa

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me..." Matthew 25:35-36


Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links which means I will earn a commission if you click on a link and purchase an item I have shared with you and recommend.

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