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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Downtown BIZ launches anti-begging campaign
Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press archives Dan Maxson of Siloam Mission at launch.
Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press Eric and Margaret Spencer have lived on the streets since 2008.
KEEP your change -- don't hand it out to panhandlers.
That's the message the Downtown BIZ issued in a campaign kickoff Monday in front of the downtown Holy Trinity Church on Graham Avenue.
Instead, consider supporting Change for the Better, an employment program that gets people off the streets and into their own homes, BIZ representatives said.
"The problem with donating to panhandlers is you don't know where your money is going to go," said Ivan Holloway, chairman of the BIZ panhandling and homelessness committee.
"The aim of the program is to provide the public who care with an avenue to donate where every dollar goes to toward a constructive program for the homeless," the businessman said.
Siloam Mission has raised $235,000 since 1992 for Change for the Better, which puts 10 to 12 homeless people a year to work on jobs that include cleaning up city streets.
"It's helped me find a job and get my life back," said Dave Neufeld, 42, who was on the streets without a home for four years before Change for the Better enrolled him.
Siloam Mission, which runs a shelter for the homeless, calls its employment program the most visible outreach work it does.
"We're very thankful for funding from the Downtown BIZ that helps us to that. We are a connecting point at Siloam and this program helps us connect," Siloam director of operations Dan Maxson said.
Two panhandlers who were nearby as the press conference was held outside the church said the program won't help them because of health problems they suffer.
Eric and Margaret Spencer lost their home years ago and have lived on the streets since 2008. Eric has short-term memory problems from a brain aneurysm, and his gait's been shaky since he was hit by a car.
"I can't never work again," he said. "But I'm the best panhandler in Winnipeg," he added, with a cheerful smile.
His wife, Margaret, said she'd love to have a home again but she spends her time looking out for her husband and their safety.
"It's not the kind of life I want to live," she said. "And it's getting worse."
The Downtown BIZ will place kiosks on downtown sidewalks along Portage Avenue and Graham Street this week to raise awareness and donations for the campaign.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 26, 2012 A2
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