Vendor Writing
Yellow Graphic reading: Vendor Writing

Building Community

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The relationship between the unhoused here in Nashville and the general public has had it’s ups and downs over the years. The perception of the homeless was, to a great extent limited to being referred to as, “bums,” “tramps,” “winos” and “no goods.” Generations before they were, “hobos,” “transients” and “drifters.”

In my experience before the days of The Contributor, much of the only contact the public had with the unhoused was on street corners where “Will Work For Food” signs were displayed or the panhandler or the alcoholic drinking in public. Much of this public perception has changed to a great degree with the advent of The Contributor here in Nashville. I can remember the time when a car would pull up beside someone who was holding a cardboard sign and you could immediately hear the sound of car door locks being engaged and see windows being rolled up. This trend, I’m happy too say, has reversed itself to a great degree and we the vendors of The Contributor have made this change possible.

Vendor Writing
Yellow Graphic reading: Vendor Writing

Hobo Camping Tips

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Have you ever showed up to your campsite and realized you forgot the cooler? The guilt of buying plastic and foam coolers can spoil all the fun. Well, here’s a really easy fix. Go to the back of any convenience store and grab a cardboard box or three. Get two that nest inside each other loosely.

Features

Q&A with Bob Mendes

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Bob Mendes served Nashville as an at-large member of Metro Council from 2015-2023, followed by a two-year stint as the Chief Development Officer in the Mayor’s Office.

Column

How to Challenge Government

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It feels like the War on Poverty, which was launched in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act has turned into a War on the Poor. In early January, the Trump Administration announced the cut of $2 billion in grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which falls under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Due to a national public outcry, the administration reversed the grant cuts within hours. At local levels the damage was already done. Chaos was created among providers, and I have even heard of some agencies in Middle Tennessee that had already announced that grant-funded staff would be let go.