Homeless “meters” now take debit cards
Downtown Denver visitors who have been donating spare change to help the homeless will soon be able to contribute with debit and credit cards.
Denver’s Road Home in 2007 set up red parking meter-like devices around town where people could deposit coins to help the homeless as an alternative to giving to panhandlers. The meters have collected $200,000 since then.
The city said Thursday that those meters are being replaced with blue smart meters that also can accept debit and credit cards. The 85 new donation meters were donated by IPS Group, Wyless and Arrow Electronics.
IPS Group CEO Dave King says the new meters could allow for larger, more frequent donations.
All meter donations in the next year will go toward mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
