Panhandling Goes Digital

Published October 26, 2009 @ 12:09PM PT

You know that we are living in a digital world when even panhandling goes online. Thanks to homeless web forums, blogs, and social media sites - combined with the increasing criminalization of panhandling - cardboard signs could soon be a thing of the past. Is this the age of Panhandling 2.0?

Today, the Boston Globe detailed the story of Kevin Boudrou, a laid off chef who has been using Craigslist postings to find free winter camping gear. He has been using public computers in medical facilities, libraries, and shelters to try and find tents, warm clothes, and other equipment. "I've always looked on Craigslist for odd jobs," he told the Globe, "So the idea to post a classified ad was just there."

Craigslist isn't the only online forum being used to solicit donations, according to the Globe. There's the International Homeless Forum, where homeless people and advocates exchange tips and advice. There are a host of sites like DonateMoney2Me.com, which allows users to design their own page and plea for help. And then there's social media sites, like Twitter and Facebook, where homeless people and service providers alike post pleas for donations.

It's no wonder that struggling individuals are having to resort to online tools to survive. Just as shelters are filling up and struggling to meet the needs of growing numbers of homeless individuals, it's getting tougher for homeless folks to ask for money on the streets. Increasing numbers of cities are outlawing panhandling in city centers. In some cities, panhandling can even land a person with a hefty fine or a prison stay. At the same time, computers are becoming more accessible to those without a home than ever before.

No matter what your take is on this new phenomenon, e-panhandling doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. It's a creative utilization of available resources. It allows individuals to avoid the humiliation of begging on the streets and hide behind the anonymity of the web.

It's survival... in the digital age.

Image: lassi.kirkijavi

Share this Post

Comments (3)

Amen.

;-)

Posted by SlumJack Homeless on 10/27/2009 @ 08:03AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by SlumJack
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
All of this has been going on for years.

Posted by Kevin Barbieux on 10/28/2009 @ 10:16AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Kevin
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
KCET's So Cal Connected did a great report last year about the homeless population of LA's central library: http://kcet.org/socal/2008/12/the-peoples-university.html

Posted by Emily Henry on 10/29/2009 @ 11:54AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Emily
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply

Add a Comment

For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

Comment

Check Spelling

Email me when there are new posts to this thread
Comment Policy

Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

Author

Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.