Weekly orientations are open to anyone interested in selling the newspaper
After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, Street Roots is training new vendors again.
Prior to COVID-19, new-vendor orientation was a weekly event at the Street Roots office. Often between six and 12 new vendors gathered to watch a 25-minute video of vendors offering sales tips and talking about their experience selling the paper. They learned about the Street Roots mission and what to expect when they’re in the Street Roots office.
But in November, with COVID cases spiking, the state restricted indoor capacity to 25%. The tiny Street Roots front office couldn’t accommodate new-vendor orientation and still comply with state rules.
There was always interest from potential new vendors, but staff turned its focus on existing vendors, Vendor Program Manager DeVon Pouncey said. “We wanted to guide them through these times, help them sell more,” he said.
Then, in February, the indoor limit went to 50% capacity, said Pouncey, and new-vendor orientation got up and running again on a limited basis once a week. Since the first session March 8, Pouncey said, they’ve trained about 40 new vendors. In total, Street Roots now has about 215 vendors, he said.
Become a vendor
New-vendor orientations are at noon Mondays and are open to anyone interested in selling Street Roots. Please call 503-228-5657 or visit our office at 211 NW Davis St. to sign up in advance due to limited space.
On a recent Monday, new vendor Jack Van Dyke said he was inspired by Street Roots vendors.
“It touched my heart listening to the vendors and what kind of people they are,” he said. “I want to be involved in that.”
Tommy Allen, who is also a new vendor, said he wants to join the team of vendors who do outreach to camps and houseless people.
“People are always talking about Street Roots,” he said. “I can’t wait to find out what I’m going to be doing.”
Street Roots is a low-barrier employment opportunity. Vendors don’t need references, a resume or identification.
They do have to sign a paper saying they will comply with COVID-19 safety protocols. In the video, Ben Ware, a physician and Street Roots Board member, shows the vendors how to wear a mask and sanitize hands properly. Vendors are encouraged to “add their own flair” to minimizing contact when they exchange money and papers.
Then, everyone gets a Street Roots badge with their photo. They get 10 free papers to start them on their journey. From then on, vendors buy each paper for 25 cents and sell it for a dollar.
“Pay attention to the paper’s mission as an advocate for the homeless,” said one vendor. “And tell them what’s in the edition.”
Make eye contact, smile and be positive, be consistent, they all agree, and you will sell papers.
“I know some of those people in the video very well,” said Dougie Fresh, another new vendor attending orientation. “I see them daily out on the street. I’m looking forward to being part of the community. I’ll do the best I can.”
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly publication focusing on economic, environmental and social justice issues. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
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