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Mayor Hands out Art of Change Posters as Deterrent to Panhandling
 8/8/2008Mayor Hands out Art of Change Posters as Deterrent to Panhandling Art of Change program was launched in November, 2007 Chattanooga, Tennessee – Mayor Ron Littlefield visited several downtown businesses today and distributed Art of Change posters which will serve as a reminder to business owners, tourist, and residents to help control the problem of panhandling by not giving directly to the panhandlers. The Art of Change initiative was launched in 2007 and is designed to educate and encourage local citizens and tourists to stop contributing to panhandlers. “The goal of this initiative is to encourage everyone to stop giving money directly to panhandlers,” said Mayor Littlefield. “As long as people are giving them money, they will continue to panhandle. Although the initiative is not about raising funds, the money that we are collecting will be used by various agencies for those who are truly in need.” The Art of Change meters, along with educational efforts, have been in place for almost 9 months during which time the community has been encouraged not to give to panhandlers. The artistically refurbished “parking meters” are located throughout the downtown, riverfront and north shore areas as a place to deposit spare change in lieu of giving to panhandlers. “We are seeing an increase in the amount of money collected in the meters as more people begin to understand the Art of Change program,” said program coordinator Karen McMahon, “and we are hoping that will translate into fewer panhandlers on the streets.” For additional information, please call: Karen McMahon Attached is a pdf of the Art of Change poster |
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