The city of Manchester is set to install meters downtown where people can donate money that will go to a local homeless shelter.
Program coordinators hope people will choose the meters over giving to panhandlers.
The meters are expected to be installed along Elm Street within the next week.
The money collected will go to New Horizons, the city’s local shelter and soup kitchen.
Director Charlie Sherman says he’s hopeful people will be generous with their donations.
“You know, you probably look at six meters, $10 a day, 365 days a year, comes somewhere in the $20,000 a year range, which would obviously help dramatically with just our overall costs for running the shelter and our soup kitchen and food pantry.”
Organizers say the meters will provide funding to a program where those in need can go, as opposed to panhandlers, who may use the money for alcohol or drugs.
The meters will have labels on them making it clear where the money is going and that they are not parking meters.
