In areas with heavy foot traffic, the City of Monterey is installing five donation meters where people can drop spare change that will be collected and distributed to agencies that serve the homeless. These re-purposed parking meters are intended to give visitors and residents opportunities to help homeless people and discourage panhandling.

The meters will be installed at the following locations: Alvarado Street at the Osio Adobe, Calle Principal at the Monterey Airbus Station, Simoneau Plaza (Monterey Transit Plaza), Fisherman’s Wharf at the entrance, and Cannery Row at Bruce Ariss Way. At each location, signs will inform the public about the goals of the program to raise awareness about homelessness and ways to help.

Donations made at the meters will be added to City funding for homeless programs that provide emergency housing, food, family reunification, and other emergency services. This is a pilot program; additional locations may be added if the program is successful.