How can you help?

It is the central belief of the Change for the Better program that generosity better serves panhandlers when directed towards the agencies that assist these individuals.

Real change - not spare change - is the best way to help out panhandlers.

Below is a list of some of the agencies providing real change in people's lives. These partners in the Change for the Better program work to make a real difference in people's lives, and all provide opportunities to help by volunteering or contributing.

St. Francis House – a program of Catholic Social Services – strives to meet the daily emergency needs of food, clothing, medical prescriptions, and rent and utility assistance of those who are unable to provide for themselves and their loved ones.

To make a donation of food, household furnishings or clothing, call 276-5590 or contact them via email.

To make financial donations, call 277-2554 or click here make a secure online donation.

Bean’s Café exists to provide the most basic of human needs without discrimination or cost to anyone requesting assistance.

Individuals interested in helping Bean’s can volunteer, participate in special events, make financial contributions, and make food and material donations.

For more information, contact Brian Anderson at 274-9595 or via email.

Homeward Bound provides the homeless chronic alcoholic with the tools needed to travel the journey home. At Homeward Bound, residents and staff work together to rebuild the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Only with this foundation, can residents rejoin the world confident and empowered.

To learn more about the program, click here.

Covenant House Alaska has been serving homeless and runaway youth in Alaska for over fourteen years.

Individuals may donate clothing, hygiene products, recreation items, safety items, and man others listed on their Agency Wish List. Individuals may also make financial donations by printing this form and mailing the donation to the address on the form.

For more information, please contact Alison Kear – Director of Development – at 339-4407 or via email.

United Way is not a social service provider, but they are a leader and partner in making Anchorage a stronger, healthier more compassionate community by bringing donors and volunteers together with community leaders, agencies and other experts to address the most pressing issues in our community.

Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or click here to learn about donation opportunities. Or feel free to call Adele Alderman at 263-3801 with questions.