WENATCHEE — Radio ads will begin in the next few days asking the public to give their change to local charities rather than panhandlers.
The “Bring the Change” campaign is an effort of the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, along with the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Wenatchee Police Department, Community Action Council, Housing Authority of Chelan County and city of Wenatchee and a regional homeless task force.
It is designed to address what some Wenatchee Valley city officials, police and business leaders say is a growing problem with panhandling and aggressive begging.
The focus of the effort is appealing to the public to stop giving money to panhandlers. Since panhandling is legal, they are focusing on people who give money rather than those who are asking for it.
Officials contend that many people who beg for money are using it for alcohol, drugs and other unhealthy activities.
