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TIME: Almanac 1990
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1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
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101689
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10168900.051
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1990-09-19
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NATION, Page 37American NotesLOS ANGELESBrother, No Dimes, Please
Panhandlers in Los Angeles are being surprised by handouts in
the form of paper, not paper money but coupons good for a meal at
the Weingart Center Cafe. The idea was dreamed up by Maxene
Johnston, president of the 600-bed center in L.A.'s skid row, as
a new way of encouraging businesses to help the homeless.
Johnston figured that donors would give more cheerfully if they
were sure the handouts would go to a good purpose. In a pilot
program last March, she asked businesses to buy books of the $2.50
coupons to be distributed to street people instead of the customary
coins. Initial results were so good the program became permanent.
Soon the center will offer coupons in various denominations and
book sizes. The brightest sign so far is that some panhandlers have
begun asking for coupons instead of cash.