The death of ‘Father Dollar’

For two decades, Father Maurice Chase has been giving out money on Los Angeles’ “Skid Row.” That’s over. He died on Sunday.

Last Easter, for example, he handed out about $20,000, which he raised from the 1%.

He had a ready answer when quizzed once about whether it does any good to just give money to the down-and-out.

“I am doing something that I think is worthwhile and I don’t care what you think about it,” he told NPR in 2009. “There’s greater joy in giving than receiving, and I’m just giving, giving, giving. I’m not bragging about it, I’m just telling you what makes me happier than any other priest in the United States.”