July 1, 2010
Panhandlers in Silver Spring
Like many commuters who walk in and out of the Silver Spring metro each day, I usually encounter people asking for money at the station. Sometimes no one is asking. Sometimes it’s several people. Regulars include the elderly white man with long hair who is usually smoking and holding a sign, and the black, middle-aged woman who is usually seated along the construction site.
I used to commute through Bethesda where the woman who lived in the tunnel was a mainstay. Some of the homeless in Bethesda would walk over to the metro from the shelter on Cordell in the mornings and others were downtown to visit the Bethesda Cares office.
So here are some questions for all you old time Silver Springers:
Have you seen the number of panhandlers increase or decrease in The Spring? Are there shelters or assisted living facilities in downtown Silver Spring? Do you know any of these metro folks’ stories? And any recommendations if readers are interested in volunteering or assisting other Silver Spring organizations?
Sprung on The Spring 