Degage Ministries voucher program provides meals and more

Heartside neighborhood homeless organization Degage Ministries has a dignified solution to help visitors respond to downtown panhandlers during ArtPrize: Help them. And the best way to help them is to direct them to a place where they are assured of getting help.

Marge Palmerlee, Degage executive director, says the organization developed a voucher two years ago in response to requests from those in the community who had had questions on the best way to help someone who approached them for money. "We all want to be caring people but wise stewards of money." Palmerlee says. She says the voucher program helps to not only direct someone to a place where they can have a meal, but also get additional help for whatever problems the individual is experiencing.

A $2 voucher can be used for a variety of services, ranging from the purchase of a full meal, storage in a locker for a week, a hair cut, a pair of warm socks, and much more.  Palmerlee says the staff in the Resource Office will work with individuals to find solutions to other needs they may have.

With the opening of ArtPrize this week, Palmerlee knows the city will experience a tremendous surge in visitors, so Degage is looking to be more proactive with increasing the awareness of their voucher program. The vouchers are available for purchase by contacting [email protected] or calling (616) 454-1661. You may also purchase them here by selecting "Purchase of $2 Vouchers" from the designation drop-down list and they will be mailed to you.

Besides making the vouchers available for purchase, Palmerlee says the the organization has provided several hundred of its Degage Vouchers to Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. Ambassadors so they can hand out to guests for their use.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor