How should you respond to street begging?

Dawn Brouwers, guest columnist

We have all seen people stationed at busy intersections asking for help. As someone who works in the Health and Human Services field, I am frequently asked how to respond. So I turned to my colleagues who attend the Linn County Continuum of Care Planning & Policy Council to get their opinions.

The council is a broad-based 53-member voluntary planning group that focuses on issues around homelessness. Here is what the experts had to say:

If you want to help, offer the person a prepackaged, unopened, non-perishable food item, bottled water, juice, or a new pair of warm gloves, socks, or other practical item, and direct them to one of the many great community resources available to help. United Way's 2-1-1 is a good first step to link individuals in need with those community resources, or you can download one of the Community Resources Sheets posted on Linn County's website at www.linncounty.org.

To be assured your donation will be used for the intended purpose, rather than give cash to an individual, direct it to any of the community agencies that provide the needed support services. Those services include: area meal programs, emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, health clinics, legal services, transportation assistance, and others. Giving money to an individual on the streets is a short-term, temporary solution, which may not be in the best interest of the individual involved.

Finally, if you are concerned about an individual's welfare and safety, contact your local law enforcement agency at their non-emergency number, or one of the agencies that serve the homeless, who can direct a street outreach worker to the location.

Remember, people who are homeless experience many complex issues. Resolving homelessness is not a quick fix. Agencies that work with homeless individuals and families are in the game for the long haul. They build relationships, link individuals to needed resources and help them use their own strengths to resolve their situations.

' Dawn Brouwers is executive director of His Hands Free Medical Clinic. This guest column is part of our 2016 editorial focus, Building blocks: Working together to make our communities great places to live. Share your story with us: (319) 398-8469; editorial@thegazette.com