West Hollywood : A ‘Gift’ for Panhandlers

Panhandlers are getting a tough holiday gift from West Hollywood--notices urging people not to give them money.

Today the city plans to launch a “Give the Right Thing” campaign to steer the needy to social service agencies. Merchants will provide assistance information cards to customers, who are urged to to give them to panhandlers instead of money.

A similar program has already been implemented by some merchants in Santa Monica.

The campaign kickoff coincides with the holiday season because there is more panhandling now, city officials said. The cards will list the names and telephone numbers of agencies serving the homeless, battered women, war veterans, drug addicts, the disabled and other groups.