Fort Lauderdale has decided to spend $26,350 on anti-panhandling ads. As discussed yesterday, the signs convey a sense that giving change to the homeless is similar to giving food to wild animals.
The city argues that panhandling increases drug and alcohol abuse, distracts drivers, and leads to violent crime. In the proposal document, the city never once mentions that some panhandlers might put their money toward food -- a key element of staying alive.
Rather than waste money on an ad campaign that won't do anything but make the city look like a bunch of stuck-up prudes, city officials should have just balled out at a grocery store or drive-through window.
Here, some food options you can buy with $26,350.
Here, some food options you can buy with $26,350.
- 133,080 Spicy Chicken Nuggets from Wendy's
- 17,247 boxes of angel hair pasta and 7,096 jars of Hunt's spaghetti sauce
- 3,297 Italian Sausage & Pepper Trio pizzas from Domino's
- 6,422 jars of ShopRite peanut butter and 4,602 jars of jelly
- 7,339 cans of Spam
- 4,398 steaks that weight six ounces each
- 58,555 packages of chicken flavor Ramen Noodle
- 11,711 packages of hot dogs
- 908 Fresh Maine Lobster Rolls from the Breaker's Beach Club Restaurant
- 35,133 cans of Campbell's Pork & Beans
*taxes not included in calculations
