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The good folks at Gapers Block tipped us off to an organization called Chicago Shares that found a creative way for us to help a homeless person on the street without hesitating or stopping to reach in our pockets. Chicago Shares sells vouchers in $1.00 increments which are redeemable for food and personal care items by area merchants. You can purchase a book of 5 vouchers for $5.00 by mail, or at participating locations.
When a voucher is spent, Chicago Shares reimburses the merchant. In March 2009 Chicago Shares said it reimbursed four participating merchants over $1,000 which provided more than 200 meals to people in the area of those merchants. Funds from vouchers that are not redeemed are donated to organizations whose mission is to feed the hungry.
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I like this idea. I always feel like a heel when people ask me for money and I refuse. On my way to work in the Loop, I get at least 3-4 such requests everyday. My wife says they are all drug addicts who will only use the money for drugs (she is a mental health provider who works in addiction community) and you should never give. If I knew I was getting them at least a meal and not feeding their addiction, I would be happy to help.
i agree. i'm always willing to spare my leftovers instead of money. i'm more likely to give these out than cash.
Agreed! Thanks for posting on this.
As long as the homeless people know you're not fucking with them when you hand them a voucher, I'm all for it.
Chicago Shares will be sold via their website (www.chicagoshares.org) within the next month! A website redesign is in progress (100% due to uber talented volunteers). I'm a student at Loyola working with some classmates to help Chicago Shares and I tweet for them. SO glad to hear that you guys like the program so much!
Good to hear about the site redesign -- it desperately needs it.
AlexKL - That's great to hear and thanks for letting us know!
Agreed- our group was brought on to help reinvigorate their communications strategy. Our two main goals are to raise awareness (especially using social media) and providing them with updated marketing tools. It's a big job but we're on a roll! Feel free to throw any suggestions/criticisms/ideas at me- we're super receptive :)
Again, thanks a bunch!