Pastor: Homeless man who left note, offering asks not to be identified


The homeless man who left a touching note and an 18-cent donation in a church offering plate has identified himself to the church’s pastor. But, the man does not want to be identified.

On Thursday, Pastor Patrick Hamrick of First United Methodist Church said he had a message from the man who left the donation.

Hamrick called the man in for lunch at a local church soup kitchen.

The pastor told Channel 9 the donor was surprised by the response to his note, which read, "Please don't be mad, I don't have much. I'm homeless. God bless."

The man said he had recharged his phone and saw the news of the donation on Facebook.

He told Hamrick the gift was between himself, the church and God. He maintained he did not want to be identified.

Hamrick said the donor acknowledged that revealing his name would probably help him, but he declined to reveal his identity.

The man is a regular at the church and is expected at this weekend's service.

Last Sunday, church workers discovered the 18 cents in an offering envelope. Hamrick said earlier this week it was the note written on the back of the donation envelope that touched their hearts.

"We love the fact that this person wanted to give back to a cause that's bigger than him or herself, a belief that's greater than him or herself," Hamrick said.  "It felt to me like that person reached in and emptied his or her pocket and gave it. We just wanted this person to know of course we're not mad, that 18 cents really touched our hearts."