Updated

A city in Massachusetts is asking residents and visitors to stop giving money to panhandlers.

Lowell City Manager Kevin Murphy tells The Lowell Sun (http://bit.ly/29JchnK) "it's better to donate to organizations that deal with these issues rather than give to panhandlers and enabling them."

The plan has been devised by a task force that includes city officials and community agencies.

The move follows an effort by the city to outlaw panhandling last year. A judge blocked that plan following a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union.