Las Vegas Officials Set Up Donation Stations To Collect Money For Homeless

In a city hit hard by the national recession, Las Vegas officials have developed a new strategy to address the high rate of homelessness.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports city officials have installed seven donation stations throughout downtown to collect public donations for the city's homeless. Made of recycled parking meters, the donation stations are painted bright green and clearly marked.

Mayor Oscar Goodman and city council members hope the donation stations will collect spare change to fund shelter, transportation and other services for Las Vegas homeless.

City councilman Steve Wolfson explained that, while he frequently gives spare change to panhandlers, the donation stations would provide a better way to ensure the money is being used effectively.

"It's going to guarantee that the money ... provides for the real needs for our homeless," he said.

HuffPost Impact previously wrote about many homeless Nevadans living in tunnels under The Strip, and how you can help.