Being panhandled can be a confusing experience.

After all, most of us want to help someone who is truly in need. But well-intentioned gifts to panhandlers usually just encourage them to continue panhandling, rather than seek the help they need.

One way to help is by giving coupons from Memphis Union Mission. Each coupon entitles the bearer to a dinner and night's stay at the Mission, including breakfast the following morning.

Coupons can't be converted to cash, and they direct panhandlers to a place where they can truly be helped. Coupon books consist of six coupons and are available for a suggested donation of $20 per book.

Cllick here to download a coupon book request form.


"I Need Money to Stay at the Mission."

Panhandlers frequently use a line similar to this: "Can you give me some money so I can stay at the mission?"

This causes a fair amount of misunderstanding. To clarify, our policy for overnight guests is as follows:

• Each calendar month, overnight guests receive four free nights at Memphis Union Mission. After they've used up their four free nights, they are asked to pay $6. This includes their dinner, overnight stay, and breakfast the following morning.
  
• Even after using up their free nights, guests can still use Mission coupons, as well as vouchers from various churches and non-profit gencies, who have their own outreach programs.
  
• And overnight guests stay free on nights when it is 32 degrees or colder, regardless if they've used up their free nights.
  
• We provide work and day-labor referrals to guests who are seeking work.

Best of all, Memphis Union Mission's residential recovery programs are provided free of charge!

We operate the way to do because, like most rescue missions, our goal is to encourage responsibility and address our guests' needs without becoming enablers.

Furthermore, it's our experience that most panhandlers don't use the money they raise to stay at the Mission - even when claiming that as their purpose.

To learn more about what to do when encountering panhandlers, click here.

For more information, please call (901) 526-8403.