Montgomery leaders want you to text donations to charities instead of giving to panhandlers
Citing traffic safety concerns, negative perceptions about the city and a rising need, Montgomery leaders are urging people to donate to local nonprofits via text instead of giving to panhandlers.
City Councilman Glen Pruitt called the issue "one of the greatest concerns" in Montgomery and said it spans a wide range of social problems. "If we can find one person and fix them, it's money well-spent," he said.
Money donated to the program will go into a pool to help address issues with homelessness, mental health challenges and substance abuse. People can donate by texting GIVEMGM to 44321 or by going to cacfinfo.org/give-smart-montgomery. The fund is being administrated by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, which plans to open a grant application process on August 1.
Nonprofits can apply for grants of up to $2,500 by going to cacfinfo.org/grants.
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"We have some phenomenal nonprofits in this city, and they are doing some unbelievable work. ... But they need more resources to reach more people," CACF President Burton Crenshaw said.
"Those people that are on the corners, or at the intersections... they've probably lost hope that their life can get better. Well, now's a chance to give them that hope back."
Crenshaw said the program, which is called "Give Smart Montgomery," has no set end date.
"The rise in homelessness that we've seen in the wake of the pandemic has just been staggering," Montgomery County Commissioner Ronda Walker said. "Individuals who are struggling with mental illness, addiction and individuals who are struggling financially, they need our help."
Walker said she's recently gotten calls from residents who felt threatened by panhandlers or who nearly hit a roadside panhandler while driving.
"This will not work if you continue to stop on the Atlanta Highway and give $5 or $10 out of your car," she said. "We want you to take that same $5 or $10 and let us feed it into these nonprofits who are making a difference (and) who will be able to make more of a difference with your assistance."
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery asks people to give to nonprofits instead of panhandlers
