Coalition: Avoid urge to give cash, food on the streets. Donate to organizations instead

A coalition of public, private and faith-based groups called the Healthy Giving Council hopes to encourage more healthy giving.

It’s about connecting people with services to help end their homelessness. Jerome Parker, community pastor with First Christian Church in Phoenix, said this time of year says people may feel more inclined to give. He hopes people will avoid one-off donations like delivering food, often called street feeding, or handing someone cash.

“When we give and feed on the street, we dissuade people from taking advantage of those services that are not only going to provide a meal, but also provide those building blocks that a person needs to get from point A to point B and actually putting their lives back together,” he said.

The Healthy Giving Council’s website lists local organizations where people can donate or volunteer year round.

“We are encouraging people to not give and feed on the street and partner with a nonprofit organization or an organization that is giving in a healthy way, that gets men and women closer to actually ending their homelessness with wraparound services and other resources that the typical resident is just not privy to,” Parker said.

In a statement, Rachel Milne, director of Phoenix’s Office of Homeless Solutions said, "When you give in a healthy way, you're doing more than offering someone temporary relief, you’re creating opportunities for people to rebuild their lives. By connecting people with organizations that help them access services to end their homelessness, we give them the tools to move forward and thrive."