Don't give money to panhandlers, urges Calgary Downtown Association

With the warm weather bringing more people out walking, the Calgary Downtown Association is asking residentsto resist the urge to give money to panhandlers at least on the street.

• Mental illness afflicts most of Calgary's homeless, study finds
• Facebook 'Creature Sightings' group mocks Calgary homeless
• Calgary's homeless population down from 2008

"In Calgary there is really no reason why anybody needs to panhandle for food because there area lot of meals that happen in the downtown core each and every day,"association spokesperson MaggieSchofield.

"Good quality food and nice surroundings."

Barbie Harris says she panhandles everyday and takes in as much as $80on a good day.

"I spend every dime," said the 50-year-old. "I need cigarettes, I need food, I need beer and I need my other extracurricular activity."

That other extracurricular activity is smoking crack cocaine.

Substance addiction is one of the reasons the Calgary Downtown Association is asking people not to give spare change to panhandlers.

"It's best to give the money to charities versus giving it directly to the panhandlers," saidSchofield.

"Places like the Drop-In Centre and the Mustard Seed can do so much more work with the money."