Street Roots vendors work hard in the summer. It’s not easy.
Being homeless in the summertime isn’t any fun. Longer periods of daylight are a welcome sign for many Portlanders, but for many people on the streets it can mean going long stretches of time without adequate sleep. Typical locations for people to sleep in the winter are often off limits due to summer events or simply a more vibrant city atmosphere. The dangers of heat stroke and dehydration are real on the streets.
Here are five ways to support vendors this summer:
1. Water. Water. Water. If you remember it, don’t hesitate to share a bottle or glass of water with your favorite neighborhood vendor.
2. Stop and talk to your neighborhood vendor. Introduce yourself, and let the vendor know what you like and don’t like about the paper. Stay engaged and help us build community. Street Roots provides a safe place for individuals to engage with people on the streets in a positive atmosphere.
3. Become a Street Roots ambassador and help spread the word. Buy an additional Street Roots and introduce the organization to at least one friend or coworker this summer. Turning on your peer network on to Street Roots is one of the best ways you can support the organization and vendors.
4. If you are traveling out of town with family or friends, buy an extra copy of Street Roots for the road. Reading Street Roots at the airport, train station, on a road trip or by the campfire is bound to spur some great conversation.
5. If friends or family are visiting from out of town. Let them know what Street Roots is and the concept behind it, and encourage them to buy a copy if they are visiting Powell’s or other locations where vendors regularly sell.
Lastly, don’t forget about our upcoming Street Roots auction. The auction starts on Friday, July 18. It’s the perfect way to support Street Roots and get something great in return. Find out more at www.streetrootsauction.org.
From all of us at Street Roots, we appreciate your readership and support of vendors selling the newspaper. Giving a hand up and getting a great read in return is our goal. Thank you for making that possible. Happy summer!
