Well as far as I can tell, there are no "Homeless hate bills" being proposed during the 2015 Utah Legislative session. That's good. Last year, panhandling was restricted in certain areas, and I'm sure there are still people who would like to banish it from our city and state altogether.
What I want to ask people is, "What is so bad about another person asking you for money that bothers you so much?"
And in the same breath, I would answer that question, "It is our shame that in this city, state and nation that anyone should have to resort to standing on the street corner and ask strangers for money to eat, and to simply survive."
We should be ashamed. We should be uncomfortable.
I could never swallow enough of my pride to panhandle, even in five long years experiencing homelessness. I applaud anyone who can do so, and think that most of the people we see panhandling truly need to do so.
There are better ways to help homeless people than giving them money, however.
If you are in the downtown Salt Lake City area, look for bright red parking meters that look like the old-fashioned meters our city has recently replaced. Put your change in them every time you see one. The money in these meters goes to a program called HOST, which stands for Homeless Outreach Service Team.
Although this image is one from the holidays, the HOST program operates year-round, and is still a program of the Sal Lake City Police Department. It was originally operated by Sgt. Michelle Ross, and took quite a different and more personal form. Sgt. Ross convinced representatives from several homeless service providers to come together and speak face to face with homeless people about their challenges and needs. Now it is these meters and certain police officers in a specially marked patrol car working to rapidly get homeless people ID, housing, and other things and services they desperately need.
Please, rather than giving your money directly to panhandlers, some of whom may not be homeless at all, "Turn spare change into real change." Give to the charity of your choice, and to HOST.
Stay honest, and stay hopeful ---RGR
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Related Links:
HOST Website : Information about which organizations benefit from HOST, and a short video.
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