This past weekend some of us were out and about. A new governor was inaugurated here in Tennessee so many of the local art venues were open free of charge so we went out to sample the high society. While riding around we stopped at a traffic light downtown and there was a lady holding a sign advertising the Contributor. Now most anybody has complaints about the homeless panhandlers that can be found throughout our city. The complaint often is that they are just wanting a handout and will just go and spend whatever they get on alcohol or drugs. There is little doubt that in some or most cases that is an accurate assessment.
Thankfully things are beginning to change in this respect. I am not sure how long ago but some time in the recent past The Contributor came to town. It is a newspaper that is produced and printed with the express intent of helping those in need of help, help themselves. This is not a new idea, it is just relatively new to Nashville. According to the most recent edition there is a news agency called the International Network of Street Papers. There are 115 street papers in 40 different countries. So this is a well established effort.
I think it goes without saying that this is a good program. This is an opportunity to give a hand up not a hand out.
Thankfully things are beginning to change in this respect. I am not sure how long ago but some time in the recent past The Contributor came to town. It is a newspaper that is produced and printed with the express intent of helping those in need of help, help themselves. This is not a new idea, it is just relatively new to Nashville. According to the most recent edition there is a news agency called the International Network of Street Papers. There are 115 street papers in 40 different countries. So this is a well established effort.
The good feature of this program is that the papers are not free to people who sell them. The sellers are called vendors. According to the paper there are specific restrictions placed upon their vendors. First the vendor buys the paper for $0.25 and sells it for $1.00. Second, the vendor must be homeless. Third, each vendor is issued a badge with their name and an expiration date. They are to openly display their badge whenever they are selling. Fourth, there are no assigned selling locations, but they can earn high volume locations by selling high volumes. Fifth, they must be sober whenever they are selling. Finally they must never ask for tips, they can accept them but never ask for them. The papers are $1 and the bumper stickers are $2. In the article that I read they gave an email address and phone to call if a vendor is seen violating any of these standards.
I think it goes without saying that this is a good program. This is an opportunity to give a hand up not a hand out.
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