Here’s a look at some of the ideas that Downtown Lawrence Inc. has for a marketing campaign that would encourage people to give their money to social service agencies instead of panhandlers:

• Signs and posters around downtown reminding people that a donation to a social service agency will do more good than a donation to a panhandler.

• The printing of business cards that list social service agencies that help the homeless. Downtown merchants would give stacks of the cards to customers who feel the need to give something to a panhandler.

• An idea from Atlanta that uses donation devices that look like parking meters. The meter-like devices are placed along the sidewalk for people to deposit their spare change. The change collected is then donated to social service agencies that help the homeless.