This column is a place for Denver VOICE vendors to respond to questions from fellow vendors, our readers, and staff. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE DENVER VOICE, AND WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A VENDOR? It all started in early 2010 when the VOICE had an office on Champa Street & Park Avenue West, near downtown. Word about the Denver VOICE was spreading around town. Most of the vendors were selling papers downtown, and I heard the opportunity to make money was pretty good. After learning about the VOICE, I signed up. MICHAEL BURKLEY DENVER VOICE VENDOR All that changed after the COVID pandemic, so I started vending in Boulder, and I like it alright. Today, I was walking into a King Soopers store and saw a vendor selling the Denver VOICE. She told me about the paper and what it does for people who are having financial problems and mental health problems. WAYNE EASTERLING DENVER VOICE VENDOR I still vend in Boulder occasionally, and at the farmers market there, too. It’s still a good way to make extra money, even after 16 years of vending the paper. I’d like to take this time to express my gratitude to the Denver VOICE. You’ve been generous to a multitude of people over the years. You still shine as a beacon of hope for those seeking an opportunity to make change. Thank You. So, I bought a paper from her and read it. I decided to go down to the office and join. I thought this would help me with some of my issues. Now I am a vendor, and thanks to the Denver VOICE, I am able to manage those issues. LANDO ALLEN DENVER VOICE VENDOR I used to sell papers for the Rocky Mountain News, but they closed. Then, I bumped into Bruce Wright, who was a Denver VOICE vendor at the time. He told me about the paper and that I could work my own hours and JERRY ROSEN DENVER VOICE VENDOR I heard about the Denver VOICE in 2008. My friend told me about it, and he said I could make cash the same day. I lost my job through a temp service, and times were tough in 2008. So, having a job where I could walk through the door and start earning meant everything to me. I was trying just to get a crib, get into a place. I kind of enjoy doing this work, meeting people, and just doing a lot of things in the community. It took me a while to get it to where I could make real cash, consistent cash. But I stuck with it, and built a good business for myself. Well, sometimes a mediocre business. But I have gotten a lot done doing this. It has helped keep me alive. be my own boss. It definitely appealed to me. I like working for the VOICE very much and am glad I have this job, as it gives me different options to do many different things. If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code to make a payment through Venmo. Thank you! Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments! SUMMER Wishlist Drop-offs are accepted Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or by appointment. GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: • Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) • Men’s hoodies or light jackets (sizes L, XL, XXL) • Women’s hoodies or light jackets (sizes M, L, XL) • Fold-up umbrellas • Backpacks or carrier bags • Sleeping bags If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! NEW ITEMS NEEDED: • Socks • Toiletries (individual or travel-size) • Baseball caps • Chapstick, sunscreen • Bottled water @DenverVOICE 14
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