FAQ
What is Know Before You Give?
What’s so bad about panhandling?
What should I do when panhandled?
What does it mean to give responsibly?
What services do social service agencies provide?
Where can a person find food?
Where can a person find shelter?
How does curbing panhandling help individuals?
How does curbing panhandling help our community?
What organizations are involved with Know Before You Give?
What is Know Before You Give?
Know Before You Give is a public education campaign by a coalition of social service agencies, residents and downtown businesses designed to curb panhandling and encourage donations to social services that can provide help for those in need. By giving donations directly to a social service agency, you can help do so much more than by handing your money to a person who is panhandling. Plus our social service network and community are strengthened. Reducing panhandling improves the perception of public safety and the vibrancy of our community.
What’s so bad about panhandling?
Panhandling is part of a vicious cycle of dependency. Giving money to a panhandler may provide a fleeting, short-term treatment of a symptom, but does nothing to address the root cause of the needy and homeless in our city. Plus, panhandling can invoke feelings of intimidation, both during the day and night to visitors, workers and residents. There are more effective ways to help than simple handouts, and there are many organizations that are already working to break the cycle. These social service organizations could use your support.
What should I do when panhandled?
When a person who is panhandling approaches you, acknowledge them, but politely say “no” or “sorry.” Aggressive panhandling is illegal. If you feel threatened, call 911. Be compassionate. Whether it’s food, shelter, clothing or any number of needs, there is a social service agency that can help. We are all part of a community, and you can help your neighbors. Learn more about your social service agencies and know how your donation can provide assistance here.
What does it mean to give responsibly?
Giving responsibly means donating money to an organization that will use your dollar more effectively than giving directly to an individual. These organizations are able to address specific needs rather than encouraging the behavior of panhandling. Deep down we all want to be able to offer help to those in need. The question is, “How can I give in a way that will truly help?”
What services do social service agencies provide?
Shelters, prepared meals, food pantries, medical, dental and eye care, mental health care, legal aid and advocacy and more. Your donation to a social service agency helps provide both short-term help and long-term solutions, addressing root causes, to those most in need.
Where can a person find food?
Many times people who panhandle express their need for food. While your initial response may be to give the person some change to buy them a hot meal, there are many wonderful resources located in the downtown area specifically for people who are hungry. There are multiple free meals every day. Knowbeforeyougive.org has a list of meal providers.
Where can a person find shelter?
There are an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 people who are experiencing homelessness right now in Austin, yet there are only 400 emergency beds. A lack of transitional and permanent supportive housing increases the demand on shelter beds. Your donation to social service agencies can help with more shelter beds, and longer-term housing options so that those in need have a safe place to sleep at night. When a person is asking you for money for a hotel for the night, think about how many beds that single donation to a social service agency could create.
How does curbing panhandling help individuals?
By addressing the root causes of individuals in need, we can create awareness of ongoing problems as well as prevention of these problems in the future. Social service agencies are able to understand and track the root causes – such as mental illness, disabilities, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty and major life transitions – leading individuals to seek help. Giving directly to an a person who is panhandling bypasses social services ability to reach, track and address these root causes as well as basic needs. Social service agencies provide both immediate care as well as ongoing programs that deal with prevention and people who are undergoing major life transitions. By donating to social service agencies, Austin residents can reach more people today and help to expand care, programs and housing for our city’s neediest people. By supporting social service agencies not panhandling, we can help more people get off the streets.
How does curbing panhandling help our community?
The downtown area is a flourishing neighborhood where tens of thousands of people live, work and play every day. We need to provide safe and secure conditions for our visitors, our employees, our residents and those who are in desperate need of help in order for Austin to continue to thrive. We want to think of Austin as a walkable city with clean streets and a friendly community. Panhandling can invoke feelings of intimidation, both during the day and night to visitors, workers and residents. The clients of the social service agencies who are truly seeking help need to feel that they are doing so in a safe environment. We never want those in need to feel unable to request the help they need. The definition of community includes the safety and benefit of the greater good. We can all benefit from donating directly to social service agencies.
What organizations are involved with Know Before You Give?
Participating organizations include: ARCH/Front Steps, Caritas of Austin, Salvation Army, Downtown Cluster of Congregations and Social Services, Downtown Austin Alliance, Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, Texas Association of Realtors, Old Pecan Street Association, Building Owners and Managers Association, Austin Hotel & Lodging Association, Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, 6ixth Street Austin Association.
