Helping the Hungry by Denise Morris on 11/01/2006 at 1:17 PM

So, I was cruising around Newsweek again, and I came across this article about cities that are cracking down on panhandling by outlawing food givaways to homeless people. The article states that, not only are homeless people not permitted to ask for food or money, but churches and activitst groups are no longer allowed to continue feeding the homeless in downtown parks.

Orlando passed this "anti-feeding" ordinance because its homeless population has recently increased. The population is apparently difficult to control, and there was an increase in crime and lewd behavior when a group began to giveaway food in a park.

This article reminded me of a past Focus on the Family broadcast with guest Mike Yankoski, a young man who voluntarily lived on the streets for five months. The things Mike learned about the homeless, the church and himself during this time is quite amazing. I encourge you to listen to the broadcast to learn more about Mike's experience.

I am tempted to sit here and write about how we as Christians need to be doing more to help those in need. So often throughout the Scriptures we are told to care for the poor and needy, the orphaned and the widow. Jesus said that the Father will bless those who fed, clothed and sheltered the least of these (Matthew 25:34-40).

I am tempted to self-righteously remind everyone of our calling to care for those less fortunate, but that would be hypocritical of me. I do not do enough to take care of the poor. I rarely even think of them -- I am too busy worrying about trivial things.

Last night, Chipotle restaurants were giving away a free burrito to anyone dressed up like a Chipotle burrito. (Basically, this means wearing a piece of tinfoil on your head.) One of my friends brought extra tinfoil when he went to the Chipotle in downtown Colorado Springs. He brought it to give to any homeless people he passed on the way. "Put this on and you can get a free burrito," he told them.

It wasn't much, but it was something. More than I would have thought to do. Let's ask the Lord to remind us to be aware of ways -- even small ones -- in which we can look outside of ourselves to the needs of others.

Helping the Hungry by Denise Morris on 11/01/2006 at 1:17 PM

So, I was cruising around Newsweek again, and I came across this article about cities that are cracking down on panhandling by outlawing food givaways to homeless people. The article states that, not only are homeless people not permitted to ask for food or money, but churches and activitst groups are no longer allowed to continue feeding the homeless in downtown parks.

Orlando passed this "anti-feeding" ordinance because its homeless population has recently increased. The population is apparently difficult to control, and there was an increase in crime and lewd behavior when a group began to giveaway food in a park.

This article reminded me of a past Focus on the Family broadcast with guest Mike Yankoski, a young man who voluntarily lived on the streets for five months. The things Mike learned about the homeless, the church and himself during this time is quite amazing. I encourge you to listen to the broadcast to learn more about Mike's experience.

I am tempted to sit here and write about how we as Christians need to be doing more to help those in need. So often throughout the Scriptures we are told to care for the poor and needy, the orphaned and the widow. Jesus said that the Father will bless those who fed, clothed and sheltered the least of these (Matthew 25:34-40).

I am tempted to self-righteously remind everyone of our calling to care for those less fortunate, but that would be hypocritical of me. I do not do enough to take care of the poor. I rarely even think of them -- I am too busy worrying about trivial things.

Last night, Chipotle restaurants were giving away a free burrito to anyone dressed up like a Chipotle burrito. (Basically, this means wearing a piece of tinfoil on your head.) One of my friends brought extra tinfoil when he went to the Chipotle in downtown Colorado Springs. He brought it to give to any homeless people he passed on the way. "Put this on and you can get a free burrito," he told them.

It wasn't much, but it was something. More than I would have thought to do. Let's ask the Lord to remind us to be aware of ways -- even small ones -- in which we can look outside of ourselves to the needs of others.