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# Venice Not a penny for your thoughts
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/venice-not-a-penny-for-your-thoughts-editor/
- Published: 2007-04-09T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:27:25.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Promenade, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Carol Agate*

A member of the local clergy tells his congregates to "carry small change in their pockets, so they can give a little bit to those they meet on the street.” Following that advice doesn't help the city or those who are homeless. Instead, keep that change to give to Step Up on Second, the OPCC, or the other worthwhile organizations that believe in teaching the hungry to fish instead of giving them a fish to eat.

If panhandling on the Promenade did not work, we would not have panhandlers. The city provides services for people who are homeless and prints up small cards with a list of those services. They are available at City Hall and at the Ken Edwards Center. Pick some up, carry them with you, and hand them to those who are asking for money. Then toss your coins or bills into one of the dolphins the city provides for your contributions to services that help people to obtain food, showers, drug treatment, medical care, and shelter.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 9, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040907.pdf?ref=smdp.com)