Homeless people who find themselves stuck in Albany may soon have a way to get back to where they have family or other support.

With two new programs, the Toto Fund and Change for Change, HEART (Homeless Enrichment and Rehabilitation Team) members are also hoping to cut back on panhandling.

The Toto Fund was spawned by a $500 anonymous donation to help people move forward with their lives, said Ben Atchley, a member of HEART and a captain at the Albany Police Department.

The fund will assist people who find themselves in Albany and may need gas or a bus ticket or some other help to get to a place where they have a support system such as family, friends, an Alcoholics Anonymous support group or even a parole officer.

"One of the things we know works is for people to be surrounded by a support group," Atchley said. "We want to get them to where they already have a support group. We want people to be where they're going to be the most successful."

People will have to ask for assistance through Fish of Albany or the Albany Police Department. The person's need and support system will be verified, and no cash will be given out.

The Toto Fund is named for the dog in "The Wizard of Oz" and the movie's phrase: "There is no place like home."

The second program, Change for Change, will provide future money for the Toto Fund and help discourage panhandling, a problem in some business areas, Atchley said.

Participating businesses will have money collection boxes and posters that explain the program. HEART members are hoping people will drop their change in the boxes rather than give it to panhandlers.

"We truly want to help folks but when people are panhandling and you give them $5 or $10, you don't control where that money is going," Atchley said.

No city ordinance deals with panhandling. When police receive a complaint about a panhandler, officers have limited options. They can talk with the person, or they can consider charging the person with disorderly conduct if the panhandler is threatening people or stepping into traffic.

Twenty Change for Change boxes were made to get the program started. They will be distributed to businesses starting tonight. Fish, which will manage the funds, will send out volunteers to collect the money.