No. 4: Blast out Street Roots on social media
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 for people on the streets.
Here are 10 ways to support Street Roots and vendors this summer. The more you spread the love about Street Roots and the more people who purchase the newspaper, the more successful vendors are. It’s a win-win situation.
1. Stop and talk to your neighborhood vendor. Introduce yourself, and let the vendor know what you like and don’t like about the newspaper. 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.
2. Tell businesses that you love Street Roots. Ask a manager or tell the clerk how much you love having a Street Roots vendor in front of the businesses that you frequent. It makes all the difference in the world.
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 co-worker this summer. Turning your peer network on to Street Roots is one of the best ways you can support the organization and vendors.
4. Blast out Street Roots on social media. Have the perfect shot of reading a Street Roots with your morning coffee and cinnamon roll? Take a photo and put it on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Your love for Street Roots on social media encourages the world to support the newspaper and vendors. Oh, and if you aren’t following us on social media, do so today. You won’t be disappointed. (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
5. 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.
6. 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 shopping at Powell’s bookstores or other locations where vendors regularly sell.
7. Water. Water. Water. If you remember it, don’t hesitate to share a bottle of water with your favorite neighborhood vendor.
8. Let us know about your experience purchasing Street Roots, both the good and bad. It means the world to many of the vendors to hear from readers. It’s equally important for us to know if things aren’t going well on sales locations. Visit streetroots.org to submit your story today.
9. Donate to Street Roots. We can’t do it without you. Your support means the world and goes to support giving people a hand up along with producing a weekly publication. Your support matters!
10. Lastly, pay it forward, Portlanders. The only way to combat poverty and hate is love. It transcends all. See someone having a bad day? Offer them a hand or a smile. Do something nice for a stranger. Take the time to spread your love this summer. After all, it takes a village and we are stronger together. Love always wins!
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!
Israel Bayer is the executive director of Street Roots. You can reach him at israel@streetroots.org or follow him on Twitter @israelbayer.
