Kindness Meter collects spare change for Penticton’s homeless

Penticton’s Kindness Meter continues to collect money in support of homeless people.

The meter was relocated last fall to a position just south of City Hall in the 100 block of Main Street and continues to be identified by its colourful artwork.

The Kindness Meter is a converted parking meter residents can use to make donations to support organizations that assist the city’s homeless population, according to a City of Penticton Facebook post.

It serves a dual purpose by encouraging donations directly to programs and services supporting the homeless rather than giving the money directly to panhandlers themselves.

Although panhandling is legal in parts of the City, the Good Neighbour Bylaw outlines where panhandling is not allowed, the City said.

The initiative began when the City, the Downtown Penticton Association and 100 Homes More Penticton placed the meter at its original location in front of the 200 block breezeway on Main Street in March 2017.

Collected funds from the Kindness Meter go to 100 More Homes Penticton.

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