Joe Therasakdhi - stock.adobe.co
Homeless person with help sign
There’s a certain kind of generosity that comes with seeing someone in need — an instinct to give when you see a person standing on the corner, holding up a sign, or looking like they’re just trying to make it through the day. But Fort Worth is stepping in with a new initiative that asks: What if we could make that generosity a little smarter?
It’s called the “It’s OK to Say No to Panhandlers” campaign, and it’s a sign of things to come in a city that’s been pushing for more sustainable, long-term solutions to homelessness. Rather than dropping spare change into the hands of someone standing on a street corner, the city is asking residents to consider another option: giving directly to the organizations that can truly help — places already doing the work to get people back on their feet.
In the coming weeks, residents will notice new signs sprouting up around Fort Worth’s most notorious panhandling hotspots — those familiar intersections that always seem to have someone with a sign or a plea. The message will be clear: “It’s OK to Say No to Panhandlers.” It’s an invitation to redirect that impulse to give to something bigger, to real solutions that don’t just momentarily ease a situation, but work toward ending it altogether.
The City of Fort Worth
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These signs aren’t just a reminder. They’re part of a larger, city-wide effort to break the cycle of dependency that panhandling can foster. Because, while giving cash to someone asking for it may seem like the easiest way to help, it doesn’t always get to the root of the problem. It doesn’t provide long-term support, and it sometimes leads to unsafe interactions with panhandlers on the streets.
Instead of giving money directly, the City is urging residents to donate to trusted local organizations that can provide food, shelter, job assistance, and much-needed stability. The city’s Homeless Strategies Program has connected with several local organizations that are working tirelessly to reduce homelessness, and they’re ready to make a difference.
One of the goals of this new initiative is to ensure that every dollar given is spent where it’ll have the most impact. And for Fort Worth, that means making sure resources are channeled into programs that can create lasting, positive change.
The city is also making it easier for residents to get involved in the effort, offering several ways to report panhandling and address concerns. Whether it’s through the MyFW app, a phone call to the Fort Worth Police Department, or a simple text message, reporting instances of aggressive or persistent panhandling helps the city pinpoint hotspots and take action.
The enforcement of the city’s Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance (Section 30-16) is another layer in Fort Worth’s commitment to keeping the streets safe. This ordinance addresses aggressive solicitation—such as intimidation, continuing to ask for money after being refused, or blocking pedestrians and vehicles—and ensures that law enforcement can step in if necessary.
Fort Worth is just beginning this journey. Over the next several months, the city will continue installing these new signs in areas where panhandling is most prevalent. And as the year goes on, city officials will be tracking how the program is working, measuring things like website traffic, the effectiveness of the signs, and any reduction in complaints about panhandling, according to the city’s website.
It’s a bold move, but one that Fort Worth residents hope will bring lasting change to a problem that’s as complicated as it is pervasive. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, the most impactful way to help isn’t always the easiest — it’s about being part of the solution, not just putting a Band-Aid on a bigger issue.
After all, real change isn’t something that happens overnight — but it can start with one small shift. And in this case, it starts with how we choose to give.
