Change for the Better

Change for the Better is an educational and compassionate alternative program to address panhandling in Anchorage. The primary focus of Change for the Better is a public awareness campaign to deter panhandling in favor of supporting human service providers.

Instead of giving change to panhandlers who may use the money to feed an addiction, individuals can better serve the homeless population by giving to local service providers who provide food, clothing, shelter and other living necessities to those in need.

Through its emphasis on giving money to service providers, Change for the Better is one part of the 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.

Give To Those Who Help

Change for the Better seeks to re-direct the generous nature of Anchorage residents to those social service agencies which can best serve the needs of panhandlers. Click here to learn more.

Program Components

Learn more about eh various components of the Change for the Better program here.

Did you know?

For every $1 given to a panhandler, it costs our community thousands of dollars in emergency room visits, police pick-ups, time in jail, and emergency call outs for the Fire Department.

Program partners: Funding generously provided by: