New downtown Bend program aims to curb panhandling

A new program getting underway soon in downtown Bend is aimed at both moving panhandling out of the area and helping the homeless in other, more concrete ways.

The program, called Bend Cares, is being initiated by the Downtown Bend Business Association.

The goal is to discourage anyone from approaching shoppers for money, but still provide a way to help.

The group is creating a website where people can donate money to local nonprofits that will use it for helping the homeless.

Mindy Aisling is the executive director of the Downtown Bend Business Association, which is heading up this program.

She said they want to create a safe environment downtown that works for everyone.

“We all need to help each other,” Aisling said Tuesday. “And the transient population needs to help the merchants by not sleeping in front of their stores, and the merchants need to help by giving to resources, and it’s a circle, where everybody is helping each other succeed.”

Aisling said the website they’re creating gives people the option to donate to specific categories, such as food, recovery or shelters.

Family Kitchen is one of the non-profits that is partnering in the program.

Donna Burklo, the executive director of Family Kitchen, said she wants to raise awareness around the homeless issue and provide resources for people who need them.

“When you do that, then the support comes to those places that are supplying the lift up, rather then giving a $20 (bill) to somebody directly, where it may not go to the purpose that they’re hoping it goes to,” Burklo said.

And the idea is to keep the downtown area safe as well.

The owner of Leaping Lizards Toy Company, Suzy Reinger, said she wants to be able to help out wherever she can with this issue, but wants to make sure downtown stays safe.

“I would speak to those individuals that are having struggles — my gosh, there are so many resources,” Reiger said. “They can even stop in at my business, and I would talk with them. I’ll talk with anybody that’s out walking downtown.”

The ultimate goal of the program is to keep people safe while promoting resources for those who are in need.

Bend police Lt. Clint Burleigh said downtown is a place they would like to keep safe for people to enjoy. He said the program could really help those in this community who need it the most.

“There’s a lot of people that are one paycheck away from not being able to live somewhere,” Burleigh said. “I think that if we all have that in mind, understanding that everybody is just trying to make it, make it in a beautiful city, great community, but it’s a tad expensive to live. But if we all have that mindset, and you donate to an organization that helps, I think that helps a lot more people then just one individual.”

Burleigh added that the downtown area is a safe spot, but they are always working to create a safer environment.

He said that during the summer, school resource officers are stationed downtown, and a camera system is in the works. He added that the crime that occurs downtown cannot just be pinned on one certain group.

The “Bend Cares” program is set to be operational by this summer.