Meters offer support to those in need on Homeless Awareness Day

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A mission is underway to bring change to how we help the needy on this Homeless Awareness Day, and it all centers on strategically placed meters.

Marta Borbus has been homeless for two years and has moved to a shelter to start a new life. "It's not a pretty sight. There were many times I would be out there panhandling and sleeping in the parks, alleys, behind garbage cans," she said.

Camillus' House and Miami-Dade's Homeless Trust receive big checks from many generous people and businesses in an effort to get people off the streets of South Florida. "We started with over 8,000 street homeless people in Miami-Dade County. We have just over 1,000 today, and our goal is to get that last 1,000 off the streets," said Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book.

The goal for these meters is to collect some of the millions of dollars in spare change that are currently being handed out to panhandlers each year. "The first collection box open is at a mall located on 163rd Street in North Miami Beach. "All the shopping centers and retailers, we're going to challenge them to jump on board," said Book.

The parking meter program allows businesses to buy the meter for $1,000 then have people toss in their coins. "All of the collection boxes are hand painted by pop artist Romero Brito, and 100 percent of the money that's placed inside these goes to feed and shelter the homeless," said Mall Property Manager Paul Lemay.

Music icon Jon Secada has also joined the campaign. He purchased a meter that will also be strategically placed around town.

The funds collected by these meters will support the addition of beds and programs that are needed to assist local shelters.

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