Why We Don't Accept Government Funds

I try to avoid controversy in these postings so that we can keep our focus on the mission of Evangel Home. However, recent events in the news and one indelible memory have nudged me out of my comfort zone.

The news topics have included the city's plan to end homelessness in 10 years and the recent stories of people soliciting money from street corners (see my January 30 post called "Please Give Her Our Phone Number"). It will be good for Fresno if the plan succeeds; if a balance is found between compassion for the truly homeless and concern for the city. Evangel Home is not part of the city-wide effort to deal with this issue. Here's why:

We used to accept government food -- peanut butter, eggs, cheese, and canned meat. A truck would arrive at the Home periodically, we would unload the cans and boxes, sign a paper, thank the driver, and put the food on the shelves with our other food donations.

Then we were informed that we were required to complete a detailed inventory of the items. That seemed reasonable and was the system for several years. But then another change came. We were told that the food could not be stored with our other donations and it would have to kept in a special "government food" section. Sounded a little odd, but we wanted the food, so we built special shelves for it.

But then one day yet another new contract came. I will never forget the paragraph printed above the line where I was to sign that we agreed with the terms. It said that we could not accept the food if we "practice religious influence or coercion." The leap from "influence" to "coercion" was one of the strangest and steepest jumps I have ever seen. Yet, it brought about one of our easiest decisions.

Our mission is not to coerce anyone. However, our desire is to influence the women who come into our home and into our programs. How could we claim to be a Christian ministry and pretend that our faith makes no difference in how we operate? How could we pray, "In the Name of Jesus," yet refuse to speak His name? There could be no greater lack of integrity than to deny Him for money or food or any of a number of things that are presented to us.

So we declined the government food that day and have ever since. Once in awhile we run short of something, but the need is ALWAYS met by people like you who believe in what we are doing -- friends who never ask us to store their food donations in a special section.

The Fresno Bee concluded its recent report on the city's initiative by saying, "The funds would be granted to area non-profits and public providers who are working to implement Fresno's 10-year homelessness plan."

That means Evangel Home won't be getting any homelessness plan funding. We are fine with that because we know that we  must have the freedom to speak about Christ, pray in His name, and guide women into personal relationships with Him.