12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LIVING ARCHIVES AUGUST 8, 2025 Hey buddy, can you spare a dime? Or would you rather buy a paper? I want to voice my observations and concerns about the difference between Groundcover News vendors and panhandlers. Why is it so easy for the public just to hand a panhandler money, yet when a Groundcover vendor asks the general population to buy a paper, the same people say, “No thanks”? I want to point out something that happens all too often. As people are walking by, they suddenly are interrupted by a panhandler. While I stand there with papers and watch the people give them money, I think to myself, “Why not buy from me? We are offering news and information in exchange for a $1* donation.” Why are you giving to someone who wants a handout? What do they offer? I feel angry and frustrated when the public chooses them over me. I have talked to other vendors about this. Many of us feel it’s unfair and it defeats our purpose. Most initially feel hurt or angry when this happens. For some, it leads to feeling depressed. Others channel their reaction and conclude that the potential patron needs educating about the paper and its purpose, and set about trying to engage the person in conversation. I sell Groundcover for three reasons. Reason one: I need cash to buy everyday items my family needs, because the amount covered by food stamps isn’t enough and both my husband and I are The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly SHELLEY DENEVE Groundcover vendor No. 22 currently unemployed. Reason two: Groundcover is an essential part of our community in that it helps people understand what low-income and homeless people go through. Reason three: I like talking with people and I feel like I’m doing something important while I look for a job. For the record, Groundcover vendors are not panhandlers. This is a legitimate business! We may not sound as professional as a person with a regular job or higher education. We are just down-to-earth people trying to reestablish ourselves amidst a crisis in our lives. We also are serious about helping the public understand what Groundcover is all about. It’s about helping the community become informed about poverty and homelessness in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and other parts of Washtenaw County. It is also about helping people in a issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended homeless or housing-challenged situation by giving them an opportunity to sell Groundcover instead of asking for a handout. If I were the passerby, I would rather buy the paper from the vendor than just hand someone money. If I were rich, I would make a conscious effort to help both. It’s ultimately up to you, the public, how you would like to help. Of course, you are reading this article, so you chose to buy the paper — thank you! When you give a panhandler money, do you wonder where your money goes? We can only guess, right? When you buy Groundcover from the vendor, it goes to that specific vendor. The vendors buy papers from Groundcover at 25 cents per copy. Then the vendor sells the publication for a dollar. We have to organize, plan and coordinate our sales efforts. We are not just asking for a handout; we are asking for a hand up (with the $1.00 donation, of course!). Why do many people say “no thank you” to Groundcover vendors? Does the public think we are like panhandlers? I get that impression a lot! When I go out and sell Groundcover on the weekends, it is really difficult to sell. I don’t know if it’s the mindset of the crowd, or because some of the crowd are visitors and feel uncomfortable about buying it. Another crowd I find hard to reach is younger people, whether or not they are students. I or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. know they’re busy with school and other activities — but is it partly because they have an agenda to party all night? I just want to say we need more college-aged people buying Groundcover. You are our future, and this is something that needs your attention. I want to reiterate that Groundcover vendors are legitimate businesspeople. In conclusion, I appreciate your business and thoroughly enjoy talking with the public. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtful comments on how Groundcover and its vendors are conducting their business. And just to let you know, I can’t talk too long since I may miss an opportunity to open another passerby’s heart and mind! Originally published in the July 2011 edition of Groundcover News. *At the time of publication, Groundcover cost $0.25 to the vendor and was sold on the street for $1. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.
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