Will Look to Help

I saw something thought-provoking on my way to lunch.  On one corner of the driveway, a crude sign proclaiming, "Homeless: Will Work for Food." On the other side, a Salvation Army Christmas kettle.  I began to wonder.  To whom are more people going to give?  Would they give directly to the unfortunate? Or would they give to the organization that gives to the unfortunate?

I'm inclined to think people would be more willing to give to the organization.  Perhaps they fear the holder of the sign could be scamming or would use the money to support unseemly habits.  Perhaps they think the little cash they have with them would not be enough to assist the sign holder and feel guilty about not being able to do more.  Or, perhaps, donating to an organization makes it less personal--makes it so they do not have to see those suffering from the problem.  Maybe we are helping the unseen people, trying to defeat the unseen enemy of poverty instead of reaching out to help people on our own.

Now, there is nothing wrong with donating to The Salvation Army (or other organizations).  For the most part, they (and many other groups) seem worthy.  However, this scenario challenged me to open my eyes and see ways to help those around me directly instead of only delegating assistance to other people or organizations.  I ought to be more active in assisting people in addition to placing some change in the red kettle--whether it is helping someone pick up the papers he or she dropped on the floor, offering a sympathetic ear, or considering giving food or money to someone who needs it.