IT OFTEN means a struggle of
conscience, compassion, and guilt to pass a homeless person begging
for money in the street, when the suspicion is that the cash will
go on drink or drugs. Buying the Big Issue is one solution, and now
St George's Crypt, Leeds, the well-established homeless charity in
the Ripon & Leeds diocese, has come up with
another.
With the co-operation of
Leeds Central Library, together with the Weatherby, Cross Gates,
Headingley, and Morely libraries, it has inaugurated a voucher
scheme whereby the vouchers can be exchanged for a meal at either
the Crypt, or one of its three cafés.
The vouchers are priced at
£5 for a book of five, and are designed to be given to those
begging. When they are redeemed for a meal, it means that there is
an opportunity for people to benefit from some of Crypt's wider
services for the homeless.
The Crypt Care Centre manager, Chris Wilson, says: "We are very
anxious to reach out to as many people in need throughout our city
as possible. We know how challenging life is for many today."