To start with, let’s area point beggars in the right direction

Brother, can you spare a dime? That used to be their “pitch” years ago, but times have changed thanks to inflation. It seems like we see them everywhere we turn, be it street corners, both sides of the Sprague Avenue couplet, freeway exits, parking lots. Call them what you will, transients, beggars, peddlers, panhandlers or a throwback to the days of the hobo. One thing that I think that most of us can agree on is that they seem to be increasing in numbers. Why are they there and where did they come from? Could they be the result of our depressing economy or could it be a ploy to get something for nothing? I don’t have the answer, but I do know that seeing individuals dressed in what appear to be hand-me-downs, looking haggard and destitute, tugs at my emotions. As they stand alongside the streets in our Valley carrying signs that usually say “Will work for food” or “Help me get something to eat,” I can’t help but wonder, what is their story? Then I wonder how is it that I see the same people day in and day out in the same locations. The guy in the wheelchair across the street from Denny’s or the woman dressed for winter all year round wearing a stocking cap and sunglasses in front of Walgreens Express, to name just a couple on our Valley streets. Are they so desperate for that small bit of change from passers-by or are they pulling the wool over our eyes? Are we who drive around the Valley unsuspecting victims of a well-planned scam or are we, too, just one payday away from where they are now? Perhaps our city of Spokane Valley should follow the lead of other cities by experimenting with a variety of solutions to help curb the problem of begging. It could install donation boxes in our businesses and stores to collect spare change. The money collected from the boxes could be sent to the homeless shelters. Another suggestion is to donate free time to charitable organizations that offer free meals and shelter. A friend of mine volunteers at a soup kitchen once a week. Our City Council could organize a special committee to look into ways to address the issue. Other ideas include having the panhandlers register with the police, get fingerprinted and carry photo identification cards. It’s also been suggested that in lieu of giving money to those who beg, give them coupons that can be redeemed at fast food restaurants and grocery stores. How about designating certain social workers whose job would entail counseling and redirecting the panhandlers to outreach centers. There are a number of outreach centers around our area, such as the Union Gospel Mission at 1224 E. Trent Ave.; Salvation Army Family Emergency at 1403 W. Broadway Ave.; Spokane Homeless Coalition, 625-6130. Located in the Valley is the Spokane Valley Community Center on 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Its mission is to provide basic necessities, teach life skills that promote self-reliance and address emotional and psychological needs. These unfortunate souls begging on our streets need not only someone to listen, but also to be pointed in the right direction.