Winnipeg panhandlers get mission 'keys'

CBC News ^ | 30 Jun 2002 | CBC News Online staff

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

WINNIPEG - People in Winnipeg are being encouraged to give panhandlers a different sort of donation these days – not spare change, but a token that can be traded at the Union Gospel Mission.

About 5,000 special "help keys" are in circulation in the city. People buy them from local businesses for $1 each. Panhandlers can then redeem the blue and white keys for a meal, shower or change of clothes.

Supporters say the program prevents donated cash from being used to buy illegal drugs and alcohol.

"We're saying, it's not up to the panhandler what they get," says mission executive director Bruce Day. "It's up to the citizen as to what they do with their money."

Winnipeg resident Dave Baker thought of the idea, saying he was tired of dodging panhandlers on his way to work.

Baker says he felt bad not giving money, but was concerned over how how it might be spent.

Asking for money in Winnipeg

"The idea is really to give someone an alternative, so they can say 'yes' to helping the people and know that the money isn't going into drugs or alcohol or something that's really not going to help that individual."

Some anti-poverty activists say the help key program is insulting to panhandlers because it assumes they spend their cash handouts on booze and drugs.

"It does reduce their dignity, says Linda Lalonde of the National Anti-Poverty Organization in Ottawa. "It takes away their self-determination.

"If I decide that I don't want to have chicken noodle soup which is what they're serving at the mission for lunch today, can I not make that decision just as anyone else would?"

The cities of Halifax, Ottawa and Burnaby, B.C., have all tried donation boxes to keep money out of the hands of panhandlers.

The Winnipeg mission says it will know when its program is working when it has to cut 5,000 more keys.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Some anti-poverty activists say the help key program is insulting to panhandlers..."It does reduce their dignity, says Linda Lalonde of the National Anti-Poverty Organization in Ottawa. "It takes away their self-determination...If I decide that I don't want to have chicken noodle soup which is what they're serving at the mission for lunch today, can I not make that decision just as anyone else would...

If they don't want the chicken soup, they can pay cash at any restuarant for a meal. But they will have to earn the cash "just as anyone else would . . . "

[Slyfox]

If a pan-handler can hold a sign they can flip a burger.

[24Karet]

Actually, this is a stunningly brilliant idea! Local Republican leaders across the country should introduce similar programs! At one stroke you diss the pan-handlers (who ought to get a real job, IMHO) and the liberals who are whining that this "Takes away their dignity... {SOB}."

These hobos and pan-handlers already threw away their dignity when they walk up to us on the street begging for change.

Notforprophet

[537 Votes]

Some anti-poverty activists say the help key program is insulting to panhandlers because it assumes they spend their cash handouts on booze and drugs.

Not all boozers and drug addicts can find employment in Hollywood and Democratic Party politics. Some actually do end up wandering the streets, asking for spare change to support their habits.

[Notforprophet]

Oops! It really is me! D@mn cookies!

[kdf1]

This is a great idea. Many of us have actually observed as the money we gave for food went for booze. The "homeless" are a milk cow for social workers and anyone who can bill medicaid. Some cities have more people paid to help the homeless and destitute than there are street people. Who pays their $20K-$30K per year? A convention of workers in one Texas county had over 200 employees from all the agencies represented.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

A variation of this has been tried in Denver. The founder of Step 13, Bob Cote', prints up coupons and sells them in books, like a Gold C book. When a panhandler approaches instead of money you can give them a coupon which can be redeemed for a meal and a place to sleep. Since he's started the program not a single coupon, according to Cote' who is a former panhandler, has been redeemed. Maybe the folks in Winnipeg will have better success with their efforts.

[Illbay]

When they've instituted programs like this here in Houston--the so-called "homeless activists" have actually come to realize the damage done by giving these people money, and came up with a plan just like this--the usual reaction from the panhandler is to throw the token/ticket back in your face, accompanied by a stream of profanity.

[SouthernFreebird]

Some anti-poverty activists say the help key program is insulting to panhandlers ..... "It does reduce their dignity, ....."It takes away their self-determination

Natural selection is failing us ....LOL

[LaineyDee]

Not all boozers and drug addicts can find employment in Hollywood and Democratic Party politics. Some actually do end up wandering the streets, asking for spare change to support their habits.

ROFL!!!! Good one!