The town of Chapel Hill struggles with how to deal with the pervasive issue of homelessness.
But not all solutions are created equal. Panhandling can be perpetuated by students who, not used to being around panhandlers, give money out of discomfort.
However, giving spare change is not a sustainable solution to the root cause of the problem.
Instead, community members who wish to alleviate local homelessness should donate their time and money to efforts like Project Connect and local homeless shelters.
According to the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness, there are 110 homeless individuals living in this town.
Uncoordinated ad hoc efforts, such as throwing money to soothe our consciences, won’t be nearly as effective as donating to or volunteering with projects that know the issue and are working on solutions.
Project Connect, for example, offers more than just basic services that those in the homeless community do not normally have access to.
The annual event, which was just hosted for the sixth time on Thursday, also offers employment training, legal services and mental health and substance abuse treatment.
These services are more badly needed than spare change that can’t possibly add up to cover them. Small donations would have more of an impact on Project Connect, which depends entirely on donations and volunteers.
