Dinner Table Conversations: 'Real change' meters raise funds for homeless services, increase awareness

Dinner table conversations. They are those rare moments when parents can talk with their children about the day's events. Here is an article we think your family may enjoy reading and discussing. What are your thoughts?

Today's Dinner Table Conversation is based on Marjorie Cortez's article on Salt Lake City's "Real Change" meters. The red parking meters are part of the Homeless Outreach Service Team, a collaboration between government and community partners. Instead of giving money to panhandlers, Salt Lake residents are encouraged to feed the meters, Cortez wrote.

Money collected from the meters is split among homeless service providers such as the 4th Street Clinic, Volunteers of America and Catholic Community Services, among others.

Questions

What are ways that individuals and families can help support organizations that aid the homeless?

How do service organizations turn spare change into real change?

How can individuals and families give back to the community?

Article

'Real change' meters raise funds for homeless services, increase awareness