Use Atlanta's New Meters to Help the Homeless

With relatives visiting for the holiday season, skating in Centennial Park, new creatures arriving at the Aquarium and King Tut at the Civic Center, many Atlantans will be venturing in to the Downtown area this winter. More than likely, most will also experience an up-close look at Atlanta's homeless. Many may want to help, but are intimidated by an aggressive approach or want to make sure their money is used in the right way.

Atlanta has recently launched a new program to combat homelessness, the "Give Change that Makes Sense" meters. Positioned around the city, these donation meters allow residents and visitors to give money and ensure that it will go to programs such as the United Way to fund homelessness initiatives.

Currently, the first five meters are located outside City Hall, the Fulton County Courthouse, the Georgia World Congress Center, the Hilton Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department’s Zone 5 precinct. Soon, additional meters will be placed near the Fox Theatre, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Westin Peachtree Plaza and in parts of Buckhead, the Luckie-Marietta Street district and Peachtree Center.

If you pass by a meter, share some spare change this season.