Faceless

I bought a newspaper from this woman today.

I’ve been seeing her standing on the sidewalk near my favorite Starbucks in the mornings when I stop to get my coffee. Usually, I just drive on by pretending not to notice her. Why? Because she is carrying a bag of papers that says, “Homeless Newspaper”. Mind you, I’m not ignoring her because she’s selling papers. I’m ignoring her because day after day, I forget to put the dollar in my purse, so that I can purchase her paper.

Today, I went to my favorite Starbucks. Not to get coffee, but to buy the paper. I gathered two quarters and five dimes as I walked out the door, determined to buy this paper and see what it was all about.

It is the best newspaper I have ever read. The articles are written with compassion, backed up by statistics and research dealing with the issue of homelessness. They are written by scholars, advocates, prisoners, homeless, rich, and poor. Different perspectives on humanity, particularly issues surrounding the homeless and oppressed are explored. And I mean explored!  The stories are written by those who are experiencing hard life, and learning something from it. Something that needs to be shared.  The paper has recipes, a crossword puzzle, and other fun stuff; each one submitted by someone who is or was homeless.

It is a must read.

The paper is called The Contributor. It is sold by people who were once homeless, and now make money selling it. They can make extra money writing, submitting pictures, etc. and they adhere to a code of ethics.  

As you travel about town, look carefully and you will see people like the lady above, donned in green vests, standing patiently on sidewalks carrying a heavy load. One dollar lightens it a little. The paper has a website, but I’ve left it out of the post for a reason. I want you to buy a paper. And while you are at it, say hello to the “vendor”; the faceless person that takes your dollar. The next time I buy one, I promise, I will put a face to her. 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NIV