American

Panhandlers in Los Angeles are being surprised by handouts in the form of paper, not paper money but coupons good for a meal at the Weingart Center Cafe. The idea was dreamed up by Maxene Johnston, president of the 600-bed center in L.A.'s skid row, as a new way of encouraging businesses to help the homeless.

% Johnston figured that donors would give more cheerfully if they were sure the handouts would go to a good purpose. In a pilot program last March, she asked businesses to buy books of the $2.50 coupons to be distributed to street people instead of the customary coins. Initial results were so good the program became permanent. Soon the center will offer coupons in various denominations and book sizes. The brightest sign so far is that some panhandlers have begun asking for coupons instead of cash.