In partnership with the Downtown Victoria Business Association, the experimental program alleviates concerns many people have about whether spare change is really going to be used for food, Salvation Army spokeswoman Carol Barton, told the Victoria Times-Colonist.

A book of five vouchers costs $25, Barton said.

The panhandlers can only redeem the vouchers for a hot breakfast, lunch or dinner at the city's Salvation Army cafeteria, the report said.

"Until the whole homeless situation is resolved, it is a way of helping people to cope," Barton said.