Letter to the Editor: We should support people who try to help themselves
Monday, August 5, 2013
To the Editor:
We see homeless people throughout the area asking for a handout. How could they earn money instead? One great avenue for a homeless person is the Real Change newspaper. These papers are purchased, thereby showing a commitment by spending their own money, and taking a chance that they will sell these. One person who has done this for years is Craig, the homeless man who sells papers on the corner in front of Central Market. Craig used to sell papers outside the door, under the overhang, where it was warmer in the winter and dryer in the rain. Unfortunately he also "sampled" the food at the salad bar. Twice. He was banned by the store and now is on the corner. For over a year. This was fair. He has reapplied now that the year is up. During that interview he was grilled as to how much money he spent on cigarettes. Smoking is a disgusting, filthy habit that kills you. It is also more addicting than cocaine. Yes, he should quit, and perhaps if he had a safer spot to sell his papers, he might be able to concentrate on that. Right now smoking helps his nerves. And he never smokes near the doors of Central Market.
He was also told however, that folks didn't want him back. Shouldn't we be supporting homeless folks that DO help themselves? Craig is a great model of what can be done to keep your family off the streets. He never stops you. You must approach him and ask. Very low key, very respectful of others. Please stop next time you are in Central Market and tell Jim, the manager, that we DO want Craig back. He deserves another chance, and he is a model for what homeless can do for themselves when, for a variety of reasons, they cannot hold a job.
And next time you see any homeless person selling the Real Change, buy a copy! But if you see Craig, stop to say hello. And thank him for really trying to help his family instead of begging.
Mary Jo Heller
Shoreline
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9 comments:
Nowhere does the author of this piece say anything to recommend Real Change on its merits. That's because she is advocating charity, which is begging in reverse. He could be selling month old newspapers. It would make no difference.
But that is ok. There is nothing wrong with extending your charity to one who is down on his luck, or in resorting to begging to help your family, when the unfortunate one is you. And there is probably no harm in the masquerade of interjecting an otherwise useless product(one that you would never buy for itself) into the transaction to allow the parties to save face.
Charity is one thing. But putting down Central Market for an alleged lack of it is quite another. The store's philanthropy is their own affair, no one else's. For all one knows, they might make generous donations to Hopelink.
Retail businesses have the right to ban and regulate anyone outside of their business they want to, including signature gatherers.
Costco doesn't allow Real Change vendors on their property, does Ms. Heller want us to go and hassle their managers?
There are Real Change vendors all over Shoreline who know the rules and follow them, I've bought them from Craig and these other vendors but he should not get special treatment. He is free to sell newspapers at the DISCRETION of the property owner or the business.
We should not get in the business of telling a very good retail grocery establishment how to run their business, especially since Haggen's just closed.
I'd recommend Craig and others in his situation pull ivy and blackberry bushes from our park areas and ask for donations as they do it. I'd much rather support meaningful work rather than standing around and pestering. It would benefit the community.
why do people remain "Anonymous"? Does it make us feel better? I see both sides, the individuals and the business ... but I only saw one name so the other comments mean less to me...alfred frates, jr. (shoreline)
Mr. Frates, the commenters' opinions and arguments have merit, whether or not their author's reveal their identity. The fact that one is say a 49 year old male, lives in North City, was a PTA president, is friends with Doris McConnell and endorsed the Shoreline School District Supplemental Levyhas nothing to do with whether they make a good point. Judge the message, not the messenger.
Touché. Best to leave some comments off-page, Star Trek-style--nod, nod, wink, wink, say no more?
That's nudge, nudge.
Thank you, Mary Jo, for bringing this good side to light. Too often, we hear of non-homeless people who make money feigning to be in need and/or see trappings of their true standing, e.g. expensive bicycles nearby.
For years I witnessed Craig selling his papers in front of Central Market. Not only did he lift himself up, but he provided a community service by kindly chatting with everyone who wanted to connect with him. In our busy world, some people rarely get a chance to have a genuine conversation with others. He was a welcoming, friendly face...that you could count on being there day in and day out. I was shocked when he was told to leave and think its time for Central Market to rethink and allow him back. Now every time I see him out on the street, it pains me and I think, can't we do better than this as a society?
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