My city has issues
I'm Canadian and I've seen things get worse over the past years. I was wondering if it was just me getting old and jaded or if things really were in decline. I was an infographic from Visual Capitalist which shows that Canada has dropped from 15th to 27th in quality of life. Now I could also show studies that put Canada in the top 10 or even top 5. However, the drop to 27th seems right for me.
The reason is simple as the inforgraphic goes into detail on. Drug addiction and Homelessness are very real problems in the country. Seeing tents in the park, seeing squatter villages, seeing open drug use and seeing beggars in the roadways are becoming increasingly common. At many intersections I actually see city signs saying "Panhandling is dangerous and illegal. Please consider giving to agencies that help those in need". In Canada there is a fairly strong desire to help those in need, especially from the Christian community, however giving to people on the street is usually a low percentage play.
Giving directly to beggars
Now there are absolutely people in need who resort to begging. However, when giving directly to a beggar how will that money be used? I certainly hope it will go towards food, clothing or shelter. Unfortunately in many cases the money goes towards alcohol, cigarettes, or drug addiction. Also the food purchased with donation dollars tends to be of low quality (think pizza slices). The reason is simple: Those who are homeless are typically unable to cook healthy meals or stock a pantry.
I want to help people but simply don't give to beggars on the street. Well, sometimes perhaps but as a general rule it just isn't something I do. I know that there are better ways of giving that are more effective.
Corporate run aid campaigns
I will say that there are various corporate options to give to charity. Tim Hortons (a popular doughnut chain) and Canadian Tire (general store) often have options to donate to help kids go to camp or sports they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford. Real Canadian Superstore (grocery tore) allows for donations to provide food. Shoppers Drug mart (drug store) always has an option at the end of each transaction to donate to a charity that helps battered women.
Usually I won't donate to those organizations either. It is not that the organizations aren't helping good causes but they do two things which I find annoying. First: They typically have high overhead so a smaller amount of my donation goes to those in need. Second: They don't give tax receipts. If I donate $1,000 I no tax refund on my income tax. That may sound cheap but I'd like to make sure as much as possible of my donation goes to those in need.
In that regard I typically donate through my church.
Knowing the people and knowing the mission
Now I will admit that I didn't know how much my church donated to different charitable projects so when I found tis website which lists its ongoing charitable donations I was surprised when I found it was in the order of tens of millions of dollars.
Honestly though it doesn't surprise me.
My son volunteers in the free grocery store it runs. My wife in a community kitchen for dinners to those who want a free meal. I've talked to those who provide free housing and immigration help for refugees. ...and those are just some of the things we do.
But donating to this organization is important. First: Because I can go there and donate my time. I can see the hands on work that is being done and meet the people who are helping others. Second: Because by pooling donations we can purchase more food or supplies than a single donation to a single person can do. $10 to one person may buy a single meal but $10 to the community can provide a lot more food which caring hands prepare into multiple meals. Third: Tax receipts. If I donate $100 at Superstore its $100. If I donate $100 to the church I get a tax receipt which gives me a refund of an additional 25%. That's $25 more that I can donate next year.
I like donating where I can see results. I like donating where I know the funds are better utilized and I like donating when the government backs me up so I can give more.
The Salvation Army center of hope
Now my church isn't associated with the Salvation Army center of hope but my work is. The Salvation Army runs a homeless shelter for those without a place to sleep. They do have limited resources but they try hard to help people get back on their feet. I personally know the nurse who works there (Angela) and often talk to the doctors who help out also. As a pharmacist we try to help them find alternative medications when money is tight, find government funding so people can get needed medication at no cost and you know what? When we see medication that is really important and not covered we often pay for it out of our own pocket.
We get the medication at cost, we know whether it is a good value of expensive for the benefit and we try to make sure we help out at the best possible cost for the most necessary medications. We are only human and can't solve every ill but we are probably in the best possible position to help out the most people for the lowest cost. In that way I'm proud that my Pharmacy helps out the Salvation Army and am 100% sure that the money I spend to help is going to someone who genuinely needs it. Also, yes, the pharmacy gets a tax break on our donation so we get extra value from our donations.
Also, when the Christmas campaigns start I absolutely donate to the Salvation army. It isn't perfect by any stretch but I know people who work there feet on the ground to help out so I have no issues supporting them.
Maybe I'm jaded
Perhaps you think I'm mean by not giving to people on the street. You are certainly welcome to your opinion. As for me? I only have so much to give. I believe it is my obligation to help but also my obligation to be a good steward of the money I have. In that regard I want to make sure my donation dollars have the maximum effect and when I donate to charities I know, can vet, and can participate in....well, I feel that is money better spent.
But of course you may have other ideas. So... if you want to leave a comment of support or say I'm going things wrong I'd love to hear from you in the comments. Either way, thank you for reading down this far. Appreciate the eyes on the article.