Change for the Better

Change for the Better is a compassionate alternative program to address panhandling in Anchorage.

The primary focus of Change for the Better is public awareness to deter panhandling in favor of supporting human service providers.

It is the central belief of Change for the Better that instead of giving change to panhandlers, individuals can better serve the homeless population by giving to services that provide food, clothing, shelter and other living necessities to those in need.

Why is this program being launched?

An increasing number of citizens and businesses have voiced concerns to Muni officials and Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. over the growing population of panhandlers and the impact they are having on the quality of life of citizens, residents, and visitors.

Using examples from other cities, ADP created the Change for the Better public awareness program in 2004 to combine compassion for the individual on the streets and alternatives for the panhandler to meet their needs for food, clothing and shelter with the hope that through the knowledge of these resources panhandling won’t be necessary.

Change for the Better is one component of a successful long-term solution to the problem.

Spare change can’t help a panhandler – real change occurs when we put panhandlers in touch with social service providers who can attack the root of the problem.

It’s about more than just homelessness

Panhandling is more than just a homeless issue – it is a health & safety issue for both the public and the panhandlers themselves. Change for the Better is based on a premise that spare change doesn't make meaningful impacts on the lives of homeless individuals. Those changes come from the social service agencies throughout Anchorage.

Change for the Better seeks to educate the public of the many resources already available to homeless and panhandling individuals. Social service agencies in Anchorage provide an array of fundamental basics of food, clothing and shelter – and are well-supported by businesses and the public. No one needs to panhandle in order to feed themselves. Spare change is only a short-term solution and does not create long-term results.

Change for the Better also seeks to provide an alternative to the accepted behavior of panhandlers and those who give money to panhandlers. The program encourages the public to contribute directly to social service providers instead of giving spare change to panhandlers who may use the money to buy alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. People who give money to panhandlers cannot be sure where the money will go – but donors who give money to social service agencies know exactly where their funds are going and what their money is doing to help the problem.

Be part of the solution

This campaign is not the solution; it is just the beginning of a community wide effort to manage and possibly address the larger issues behind panhandling.

Panhandling is a complex social issue. Many of the root causes behind panhandling, such as poverty, drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness, are not easily solved. Despite this fact, the community can play an important role in managing the situation and at the same time ensure that all of our citizens have their needs met for food, clothing and shelter.

Donating to a local organization rather than to an individual not only benefits individuals in need, but the entire community as well. Donating to social service providers is one way that we can all help to make a change.