When a poor person approaches you on the street for money, how do you respond?  Are you concerned about taking out your wallet on the street?  Do you hesitate because you fear the person only wants your money to buy cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs?  The Chicago Shares Program may be exactly what you need to help you in those situations.

Chicago Shares is a simple but effective voucher program designed to help the poor in a constructive way.  The program is an ecumenical effort run by local churches and social organizations.  All you have to do is purchase a “Chicago Shares” voucher book and then give it to the person in need.  The recipient can then use the voucher book to buy food, non-alcoholic beverages, and personal care necessities at several local merchants.  They use these vouchers in place of money.  Once a month, the merchants are reimbursed by the Chicago Shares Program.  Participating merchants include Subway Sandwiches, Dunkin’ Donuts, White Hen Pantry, Jewel (Clark and Division) and, most recently, Dominick’s (Grand Avenue).

The cost of the vouchers is $5 per book.  You can purchase the voucher books at www.chicagoshares.org by downloading the order form and sending it in with your check.  Chicago Shares will send you the voucher books in the mail.  You can then use these voucher books to help a needy person you encounter on the street.  Please consider these voucher books as a way for you to help others and fulfill Christ’s mandate for all of us to love our neighbors.