Southwest Airlines sponsored the first meter.
The Metro Homelessness Commission will soon start collecting small donations for the homeless in refurbished parking meters downtown. The initiative is modeled after a program in Denver that has reduced panhandling in that city.
Instead of giving directly to a panhandler, passers-by can drop a few dollars in one of these modified parking meters. Businesses will sponsor the donation stations for a $1,000 a piece. The funds will help pay for outreach workers.
Clifton Harris is director of the Homelessness Commission and says the money will likely make a larger impact than if its given directly to someone panhandling for change.
“It will give us an opportunity to get a couple more outreach workers out on the street and make significant relationship contacts that we can get off the streets and into housing.”
The meters will be installed as the Homelessness Commission receives sponsorships for them. The first was paid for by Southwest Airlines.
Howard Gentry heads the charitable arm of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and says the modified meters give an alternative to people who would otherwise refuse a panhandler.
“It gives people an option that don’t necessarily believe that putting the money in the hands of the person is going to really go to that person’s benefit.”
Sitting on the corner of 2nd Ave and Church Street, Dennis Saunders says he doesn’t think the meters will cut into the generosity he’s received.
“I just shake a cup. If they feel like giving me something, they can. If they don’t, they don’t have to.”
There’s already been a campaign by downtown businesses to discourage direct giving. Saunders says people gave despite it.
“I’ve had people put money in my cup that say ‘I can do what I want with my money.’ They probably figure they’ve already given enough to the government, you know.”
Denver’s program started in 2007 and has generated more than $100,000 annually with 86 meters scattered around the city.
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