U. combats campus panhandling

The University of Pennsylvania Office of Community Relations is leading an effort to educate the University community about panhandling. A new program, called "Don't Give Change, Help Penn Make a Change," was piloted this summer in an effort to discourage students, faculty and staff from giving money to the rising number of panhandlers appearing on campus. Director of Community Relations Glenn Bryan said the program will "provide folks with alternate suggestions for helping panandlers and homeless." He explained that campaign efforts are slated to increase this fall as students return to campus. "Part of orientation for students will be information about this campaign," Bryan said. "Hopefully, students, faculty and staff will let us know if it is working." The effort's main goal is to "deter panhandling and make people aware if this growing problem," Bryan said. He suggests that those who want to help the homeless give money to organizations designed to deal with homelessness instead of giving money to individuals on the street. According to Bryan, the money panhandlers receive is most often used for drugs or alcohol, rather than basic necessities. And Bryan emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between panhandlers and the homeless. "Many panhandlers actually have a place to live," he said. "But for a segment, panhandling is their livelihood." He also urged students and staff to be ware of the rare panhandlers who turn aggressive in order to get what they want. --Kate Khatib

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