Every Monday and Tuesday, two buses visit busy Springfield intersections to offer panhandlers rides.

In the first five weeks, a total of 21 people have gotten on board, according to city spokesperson Cora Scott.

The Wheels to Work pilot program, which aims to connect panhandlers to employment and other resources, is set to run for a total of eight weeks.

Panhandlers can take showers at Victory Mission, go through an assessment at One Door and get help finding jobs through the Missouri Career Center and People Ready, a temporary employment agency. The program is run with help from the city, the Council of Churches of the Ozarks and other partner organizations.

Scott said the program has a volunteer shortage. At least one day, only one bus ran because there weren't enough volunteers.

Scott gave the News-Leader an update on how many people have gone through the program in the first five weeks.

Out of 146 panhandlers at intersections when the Wheels to Work buses made their stops, volunteers engaged with 121. The buses are stocked with water, protein bars, clean socks and other essentials that volunteers offer to panhandlers.

Twenty-one people accepted rides from Wheels To Work.

Out of seven individuals who were qualified to find work through People Ready, one accepted a work assignment. He spent a half day unloading tires but was unable to continue work because of transportation challenges, Scott said. He declined other assignments.

Three people declined multiple work assignments from People Ready and an additional three were unable to perform the types of work offered through the agency.

One Door has helped people obtain state IDs and a birth certificate. One person was connected to medical care through One Door.

Eleven program participants have gone to the Missouri Career Center. Two are attending regular appointments with a workforce specialist, Scott said. Two others are working on legal barriers. An additional two individuals kept one appointment with the workforce specialist but did not show up for further scheduled visits.

There's also a public education portion of the Wheels to Work program.

Scott said the program hopes to teach people that there are better ways to help panhandlers than handing money out the window.

There are signs at some intersections, directing people who want to donate to call 211. Similarly, people looking for food, shelter or employment can contact 211 for services.

The program has received one donation through 211 so far, Scott said. Wheels to Work will be launching a video public service announcement and social media campaign in the coming weeks.