Harden got serious about TOWN when he met with several pastors to talk about youth problems. The topic drifted to people in need. There, a clerk will provide a voucher for services at participating businesses. The bills are paid from a fund contributed to by each church. Recipients of food, gas, or lodging also get their names entered into a computer file that will be checked every time someone walks in for a handout.
Police also do a background check.
TOWN rules say people can get help from the fund every six months. There are other programs better designed to deal with that. Any church that donates regularly to TOWN can participate. Kalunian said he's heard pastors in Richland and Pasco talking about starting similar programs. Hindman said on cold nights, police can give out vouchers to people found sleeping in their cars.