Selling
Salt Lake Street News is fun. Although it's harder than I imagined, I keep hitting the events and street corners whenever I have the time. People in Salt Lake City are generally polite, and receptive to the idea of what we're trying to do, whether or not they buy a copy of the paper. I've only been hassled by security guards at a couple of places, and had only one chat with the police. I just figure they are people doing their job, no sweat. Word will spread as more vendors appear on the city streets.
Unfortunately, there are always people who want to make things difficult.
The entire time I was homeless, I never panhandled. I didn't feel right asking hard working people for their money
without giving
something in return. Yet I know there are people on the street who have done it for years, at the same spot, everyday, without fail. They get to know people and people get to know them, so it
becomes a sweet deal.
So I try to be respectful of that. I never sell on the same corner as panhandlers. If they are there first, I cross the street or go to the next intersection. At the
Bees games I talk and have a laugh with the sign
flyers. When I do well selling the paper, I've even been known to slip them a buck or two.
So it was frustrating the other day when a panhandler showed up on the corner where I'd already been selling for two hours. He proceeded to solicit change. I pleaded the case that I'd been there first, and asked him could he please go across the street to an unoccupied corner.
You would have thought that I had asked for a pound of flesh. This man called me everything but a human being, began to badmouth
Street News, the
Salt Lake City Mission, and those running the organization and the street paper project. Everyone within earshot heard his slanderous remarks. I tried to stand my ground, but sir kept talking smack,
interfering with my right to sell. To avoid losing my temper, I left, so angry that I quit selling for the day.
The way I see it, we're all in the same boat and have the same goal-to put a buck in our pocket. I give the panhandlers respect and courtesy. I would expect the same in return. So I have a proposition and a challenge for those with whom we have to share the streets.
When you see vendors selling our paper, don't hassle us, put us down, or try to intimidate us. There are a lot of street corners, people, and events to go around. If you are there first, OK, but if you're not, it's only fair that you concede to whomever is. Nobody wants a turf war; you'll lose eventually anyway. Let's be civil and fair to one another. Those of us who are no longer homeless still remember what it was like. We vendors are just trying to improve our lives a little and make some cash, just like you.
I challenge panhandlers to try vending
SLSN before you go around knocking it. At least come to an orientation and get the information. It may not be for you, but at least you'll know. Just don't blame the dedicated people who put this program-along with others from which you may benefit-together without having the facts. They deserve your thanks, not your distrust and badmouthing.
If we cooperate, everyone can benefit from the kindness and generosity of everyone, resident or visitor, on the streets of Salt Lake City.
Peace
Well, we have a lot going on so far in 2011: Dying animals, killer floods, deranged gunmen. That is not the worst of it. According to the latest findings by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “The New Depression” (as I am wont to call it) has led to a great increase in people experiencing homelessness. Of course, that’s something you and I already knew, innit? The stats are broken down into regions, states, and subcategories such as families, unsheltered, and youth. Go to the NAEH website for a summary of their data. You can also read the entire 48-page study, The State of Homelessness in America, or download it for later if you have that capacity. Click the image above and use the “interactive tools” page to view maps charting economic indicators, demographic drivers, and states with multiple risk factors in relation to homelessness.
With nosebleed seats for Super Bowl XLV starting at $2586 each, I don’t know anyone who is going to Arlington, TX on February 6. How many children could the price of one crappy ticket feed? Well, you don’t have to pony up that kind of dough to make a difference. Beginning Monday, and ongoing until the game day, you can donate some of the money you would have spent on partying to help homeless people in Salt Lake City. Just $1 from everybody is all they’re asking. More details on The Road Home’s “Souper Bowl of Caring” here, or on Facebook.
