Silver Spring Parking Meters 100% Benefit the Homeless | Community Spirit

If you’re a downtown Silver Spring resident you’ve probably been wondering, “What’s with those turquoise change meters?”  Well, we’ve got the answer.

The Shepherd’s Table is a Silver Spring based non-profit organization providing assistance to the homeless and needy for the past 27 years. The have collaborated with Downtown Silver Spring in the installation of four reconditioned and repainted old meters for the homeless in the downtown area. These recycled meters will be turned into donation meters in which passer-bys can give coins to help the homeless. A similar initiative was launched in Bethesda-Chevy Chase in 2009.

The brightly turquoise painted and marked meters are situated in safe, convenient and well lit downtown Silver Spring locations with constant pedestrian traffic. “They will provide an easy and convenient way for residents and people of all ages visiting downtown Silver Spring to support the needs of the less fortunate in our community,” said Jacki Coyle, Executive Director of Shepherd’s Table. “Coins deposited in the meters will go directly to support our program services for the homeless. Informational flyers about Shepherd’s Table services will be provided in small boxes attached to the meter poles,” she added.

Currently, there is no endpoint to the meter initiative and Coyle also announced that a meter will go up at Discovery in the near future.

So, if you’re a Silver Spring resident or headed downtown for some fun, make sure to donate your spare change to the turquoise meters.