Tom:  Thank you for expressing your perspective.  May I respond.

First, I agree that many charitable organizations do a great deal to help the homeless and destitute.  The Eugene Mission and St. Vinnies immediately come to mind.  However, they only serve a small portion of the homeless population.  The Mission is not equipped to work with the mentally ill and is will not accept individuals who are "under the influence" or drugs or alcohol.  I understand the reasoning for the policy and have no quarrel with it.  

However, it's important to remember that chronic alcoholism and substance abuse are both diseases which require extensive rehabilitative support if they're to be treated.  The homeless and impoverished do not have these services available to them.  It's easy for some to say "hey, you Bum, quit your damn drinking!"  Easy to say.........hard to do.. In fact, almost impossible to do.

I'd like to share an OpEd pieced I wrote on this issue.  let me know, if interested......