Monday, October 03, 2005

The Baptist Standard :: The Newsmagazine of Texas Baptists

The Baptist Standard :: The Newsmagazine of Texas Baptists: " Posted: 9/30/05
Urgent--not chronic--needs tend
to prompt much charitable giving

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)--As Americans set new records for charitable giving in response to Hurricane Katrina--and donations for Hurricane Rita begin to arrive--some fundraisers are seeing a principle confirmed: When the sufferers are perceived as innocent victims, donors respond generously.

On the other hand, giving patterns suggest donors are losing patience with chronic problems such as poverty, in which suffering arguably is made worse by questionable choices. Private donations are shrinking for homeless shelters, AIDS-related services and programs for troubled youth, to cite just a few examples."

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