I hope you read Beth Templeton's editorial column in The Greenville News on December 22. She said that people rushing to give things to homeless people at Christmas actually "helped homeless people to be homeless."
        "When we give beyond an immediate crisis," she wrote, "we begin to help people become dependent. They become less than they could be because they no longer accept the full responsibility for their lives."
        I think she's right. As you probably know, we study the books When Helping Hurts and Toxic Charity at Triune. Both books are written from a Christian perspective, and their wisdom about unintentionally creating dependency instead of independence,  entitlement rather than responsibility, rings true with us.
        We can see we've done too much of that with our indiscriminate  giving.
        Here's what Toxic Charity author Robert Lupton says:

Give once and you elicit appreciation.

Give twice and you create anticipation.
          And so we are making a change in 2014 -- closing down our free clothes closets.
         Beginning January 1, we will no longer accept donations of clothing,  shoes or toiletries -- unless you've already gathered special holiday collections targeted for us.  
         We will still keep a few upstairs rooms with clothing items that our staff can give to people with whom we are working, and to help people in emergency situations. But we will no longer stock a free store where people  can come every few months. We think we can do better.
         Many of you have told us you don't want to give to thrift stores that  sell your donations. But our partners at Salvation Army, Miracle Hill and Goodwill stores turn those profits right back into the good work they do.  By  providing low prices and jobs to the very people we are serving, they foster a dignity that a free closet simply doesn't.
          We value all of our donors and hope that you will understand this change. We will still accept donations of canned goods and food pantry items. But please help us spread the word that we do not accept clothing any longer.
        Meanwhile, we will offer the people who come to Triune mental health counseling, job coaching, access to drug rehab, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Support Circles, nursing care, case management, legal aid, eye screenings, art, music, theater, gardening, computer training, a food pantry, hot meals, and laundry services. We will offer them a welcoming worship community and a chance to belong.
            With our homeless parishioners especially, our goal is to help them out of homelessness and dependency -- not make them more comfortable in it.
           We hope that you, as our beloved supporters, will understand and back us in our efforts.

Deb