Spare Change Donation Program for the Homeless Tallies More Than a Quarter Million Dollars At Denver International Airport

DENVER – April 27, 2016 – Passengers at Denver International Airport have now donated more than a quarter million dollars in spare change at the security screening checkpoints to support Denver’s Road Home, a city program that helps homeless individuals move toward self-sufficiency.

Since the spare change collection program began in February 2013, a total of $282,722 has been collected among four containers at the airport: one located before the south security screening checkpoint, one before the north security screening checkpoint and two before the A bridge security screening checkpoint.

The amount of spare change collected by year is:

• 2013: $74,232
• 2014: $95,677
• 2015: $87,309
• 2016: $25,504 (As of March 25)

“I’m proud to see how the continued generosity of millions of travelers at Denver International Airport can have a meaningful impact for our most vulnerable residents,” Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “Even by donating the spare change in your pockets at the airport, people can help provide services such as job training, sheltering, mental health support and substance abuse treatment, as well as other supportive services throughout the year. It just goes to show how the small things can make a big difference.”

Denver’s Road Home connects the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless to housing, shelter, medical assistance, employment opportunities and case management services through a strong collaboration of network providers. Now in its eleventh year, Denver’s Road Home has helped thousands of people and families on their journey to self-sufficiency.

“Denver International Airport is grateful to and proud of our travelers who take a moment out of their journey to put their spare change to good use,” said airport CEO Kim Day. “It is so heartwarming to know that providing a convenient opportunity to contribute could result in such a substantial impact, largely from very small amounts of change.”

“Each year, the generosity of Denver International Airport travelers in helping those who are homeless through this program is inspirational,” said Bennie Milliner, executive director of Denver’s Road Home. “We appreciate our partnership with the airport and say ‘thank you’ to airport travelers for consistently showing that Denver is a world-class city that truly cares about all of its people.”

Denver’s Road Home also operates the “Give A Better Way” program which includes donation meters located throughout the city. For more information, visit www.denvergov.org/homelesshelp.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

###