When Michael Whetstone arrived in Portland some four months ago, he noticed a man selling newspapers in North Portland outside a grocery store. Michael needed money at the time, and the steady stream of customers looked lucrative. He introduced himself to the man, who told Michael about Street Roots’ vendor program and showed him how to get started.
Since then, Michael’s been selling papers every week, usually in the Kenton area of North Portland. His favorite spots to sell the paper are at the Kenton Farmers Market and Green Zebra on North Lombard Street. He likes to change his spot for variety. A few weeks ago, he sold papers in Eugene.
Michael grew up in Oklahoma. He spent many years in Denver before moving to Seattle and eventually Portland. Five years ago, he moved back to Oklahoma before returning to Portland earlier this year.
For the past few months, Street Roots was Michael’s main source of income. He sold papers every day.
He started working at Taco Bell in September, and now he sells papers on his days off: Wednesdays and Sundays, 40 papers per day. He needs the supplemental income, and he likes being a part of the Street Roots community.
“Street Roots gives people a chance to be their own boss,” he said. “I made good money at Street Roots. I spent it as fast as I made it, but I managed to save a few dollars.
“And Street Roots is cool!” he continued. “It’s a paper that’s informative and has insight into things that even news on the TV doesn’t really elaborate on.”
Michael wants to get a place of his own now that he has a stable income. He has appointments to see some apartments, and he’s hoping that by October he won’t have to stay in a shelter most nights.
“I pray to God I’ll be able to have my own spot real, real soon,” he said. “I’m working at Taco Bell. I’m still selling Street Roots. I just gotta save up some money and survive.”
Michael has experience working in restaurants, and he likes the familiarity of his new job. After work, feeling beat, he goes to the Transition Project for a shower before heading to a shelter for the night, where he watches YouTube videos and Hulu before bed.
He is a tenacious vendor, persistent and energetic. If he buys 40 papers for the day, he intends to sell 40 papers.
“It can be tedious, but you can turn it into a job if you want to,” he said. “You can sell papers eight hours a day, seven days a week. I used to do it.”
He said the work can be frustrating when people aren’t buying those last few papers. But when he gets frustrated, he takes a break. The papers will sell eventually, he reminds himself. They always do.
“I just chill and keep on selling papers,” he said. “Eventually I’ll sell out. And that’s what I tell people: you’re going to make money selling papers. You’re going to make tips. It’s inevitable. You just have to keep at it.”
Michael took a break from Street Roots after starting his new job. But now he’s back to selling papers every Wednesday and Sunday in North Portland. He sees no end in sight.
“I just keep on selling them,” he said. “I just keep on selling them.”
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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