There are 93,000 homeless Chicagoans, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, and many consider panhandling a necessity of life on the streets.

But panhandlers, often holding up handwritten signs with appeals for help, can be easy to overlook in the busy city. The Homeless Signs project is trying to change that, but not all of the panhandlers appreciate the help.

The project, which was started by Christopher Devine, James Griffith and David Rauen, makes laminated signs and distributes them free to panhandlers downtown. There are two different signs, both in black 200-point (two and a half inches tall) Helvetica type, on a white background. Some read “Homeless”; others say “Please help.”

The signs are stark, designed to attract more donations and also to help call attention to the uncomfortable truth about the ubiquity of homelessness.