I support efforts to facilitate participation by churches and religiously-affiliated institutions in government-funded anti-poverty programs. Faith-based organizations have a much higher success rate than government programs in aiding the poor and needy by providing hope instead of just food and shelter. Taxpayer dollars should be given to programs which have been proven effective, regardless of religious affiliation, as long as an individual has options and there are safeguards to protect the religious nature of faith-based charities.