The Make a Change donation meter project is designed to reduce panhandling in the downtown Wilmington area and re-direct charitable contributions to agencies that provide services to homeless people.

Five meters are currently installed in targeted downtown locations, with plans to install an additional five meters in an effort to reduce panhandling and create a more hospitable environment for residents and visitors alike. 

Because money traditionally given to panhandlers does not help break the cycle of chronic homelessness, the 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness encourages people to deposit quarters in the meters instead of giving money directly to people who ask for "spare change" on the streets.  Giving money directly to panhandlers only perpetuates to the cycle of chronic homelessness. It often compounds the challenges facing agencies that assist homeless people with housing and other services.

All the money deposited into the meters will be distributed by the 10 Year Plan Executive Board on an annual basis to established local agencies that assist the homeless.

A special thanks to American Property Experts, which is a Gold Level Sponsor for the Make a Change donation meter project. A special thanks also to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for donating the used parking meters and Lanier Parking Systems for installing and maintaining the meters.