Summary: For at least a year, the North end of Wooster has been the host of panhandling. Efforts to directly assist them with food and other services by local churches and agencies have not been successful. The concern articulated by local churches is that the generosity of Wooster is being taken advantage of, and those community members should focus their support elsewhere.
In a broken economy, where so many are struggling to make ends meet, the future can seem hopeless and desolate. Fortunately, the Wooster community is built on a strong foundation, one that buffers its members from the sharp edges of unemployment, hunger and homelessness.
But its hard to miss the panhandlers on the North end of Wooster, holding signs reflecting desperation and concern. While these individuals are one of the more obvious symptoms of an economic slump, they may also be a misrepresentation of those who are truly needy in this county.
Richard Frazier, administrator of the Wooster Hope Center (WHC) and pastor at DayBreak Community Church in Wooster, and Joe Rubino, community outreach minister at Parkview Christian Church of Wooster, have approached these individuals, offering food and assistance, but they were declined. After talking with them, Frazier and Rubino also learned that the panhandlers they have encountered are not from Wayne County.
I want to help get the word out there to the people in our county that are giving, that are supportive of all the different agencies in our county that help people, that their gifts and donations still do matter. Those agencies are doing what theyre supposed to do. Right now theres nothing that could prohibit somebody from standing at the corner taking advantage of folks generosity, began Rubino.
Rubino added that this could become more of an issue as resources in the larger surrounding cities begin drying up. He also suspects panhandlers have realized this community has a lot of help to offer.
There is another way to assist them, however. According to Frazier, 211 Infolink is a free and confidential information and referral service connecting people to health and human services in Wayne and Holmes Counties.
Both he and Rubino suggest people offer this phone number and information to anyone in need. They said it would be more beneficial than offering money.
Im for helping people but there is a proper way to help people, Frazier continued. For some, panhandling is a profitable business, not an immediate need.
Frazier suggests adopting a model used in Akron, where panhandlers must register for free, thus assuring they are from the county. He also recommended developing a committee to initiate such a process.
Our local social service agencies and churches are one of this communitys best assets and people throughout Wayne County are generous in their support of those in need. So, the better way to give to those in need is to donate to local organizations and church ministries with outreach programs that truly help the homeless and needy with long-term solutions, Frazier added.
The latter part of his message is key: offering money to a panhandler may only soften the problem temporarily. It will not serve as a permanent solution.
Frazier also said that according to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, most homeless people do not panhandle, and most panhandlers are not homeless.
After speaking with a member of Tent City in Wooster, Frazier noted that those occupying the dwelling also do not panhandle. Further, Rubino said he has never seen anyone hes helped doing it either.
Many local organizations need financial and volunteer help to meet their goals to provide essential services such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, employment training and counseling, Frazier said, encouraging people to donate in that form rather than directly to a panhandler. Call the Wooster Hope Center or any of the organizations that are part of the Wayne County Housing Coalition for more information.
For those interested in offering thoughts or ideas, Richard Frazier can be reached at 330-683-2242.
