PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new billboard on SW 4th and Morrison is causing a stir in downtown Portland.

“Your spare change funds my addiction,” reads a sign on the billboard, written on a piece of cardboard, held by a panhandler.

The campaign is the latest from Real Change PDX, which is affiliated with the Portland Business Alliance and the Downtown Clean & Safe program, who urge the public to donate to social services instead of panhandlers.

Downtown Clean & Safe posted this message on its website: “The decision to give money to a panhandler – someone who asks for money – is a personal one. However, if you have been approached by a panhandler and want to help, Downtown Clean & Safe, urges you to instead consider giving to one of the many proven social service agencies in the Portland-metro area.”

Israel Bayer, the executive director of Street Roots, a newspaper that covers homelessness and poverty, takes issue with the billboard.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving money to individuals on the streets. Many people use money for survival,” Bayer said.

He believes the wrong message is being projected by the billboard.

“I think it lacks both compassion and political sophistication and really overrides any real conversations and progress that we’re making in the community.”

Lynnae Berg, the executive director of Downtown Clean & Safe, said the billboard is actually part two of the “Real Change” campaign. Citing a study taken two years ago, a number of people on the street panhandle to support addiction.

“We would like people to reconsider how they channel that generosity and ask them instead of giving on the street, to give to social service agencies that can really make a difference in people’s lives,” Berg said.

The concern with donating directly to an individual is there is no control of where that money could be spent.

“We know that a significant number of (panhandlers) are using those funds to support addictions, which are not good for them or for the community,” Berg said. “Our position is really if you give to a social service agency, you are leveraging your money above and beyond that single dollar because the agencies can really match that money and use it in ways that help more people than just in the moment.”

Donations made through the “Real Change PDX” website will go to the Kevin Montgomery Smith Fund.

KOIN 6 News spoke with a man who identified himself as “Sasquatch.” He is 37 years old and has been living on the streets since he was 17 years old. He moved to Portland because of the social services it offers to homeless individuals.

He disagrees with the billboard and its message. “Sasquatch” lives on the street and during the morning commute sits on one of the on-ramps to the Hawthorne Bridge panhandling. He doesn’t have a sign with what he describes as a “sob story.” His sign asks for “kindness.”

He said the decision to panhandle was made to help support his wife who is studying electrical engineering. Because the two aren’t legally married, “Sasquatch” can’t live in student housing on campus.

“I’m trying to get my roots established here,” Sasquatch said. “I only came to Portland because it’s the finest city in America when you can get resources. You’re not going to starve, you can get help.”

Over the summer, the The Downtown Clean & Safe District program relaunched a “Real Change Not Spare Change” campaign, urging the same.

Do you support this campaign? Join the conversation on the KOIN 6 Facebook page.