Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) Government Programs vs. Charitable Giving

Join us in our new venue!! We’re now meeting in the choir room on the second floor of Fountain Street Church! See below for further information.

We’ve all heard the claims. Government is inefficient. Government social programs are wasteful. Private charities do a better job helping people. But the data may not support these statements.  Join us IN PERSON at the next Café Inquiry as we look in depth at charity and charitable giving throughout history and explore the transition from private charity to government programs. This somewhat lengthy 2014 article from Democracy deconstructs the myth of a time when private charity fulfilled all public needs. Here is a 2012 article from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that debunks the claim that most federal low-income spending goes to “overhead” or “bureaucrats”. Finally, to balance things a bit, an article from the Foundation for Economic Education that claims that private philanthropy is much more effective than government programs. There are problematic claims in the article that undermine its premise which we’ll discuss. See you there!

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

To access the choir room enter the building via the Fountain Street entrance. ( Not the big double doors. The smaller doors to the west. There may be scaffolding in place due to construction, but you can walk under it). Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor, and follow the Michigan Humanist signs. Or ask directions from someone. The choir room is located on the left at the south end of the west hallway.

Parking information – Street parking, if you can find it, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.

Events are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/