You only have to walk through an Australian city during rush hour to know exactly why 60 Aussie celebrities, politicians, and business leaders have decided to make February the month we recognise the homeless epidemic. For too long the homeless have been cast to the wayside, particular in the publics mind, when it comes to making efforts to change their situation or in the very least make it more hospitable. Long-standing traditions like Night Patrol provide some respite and socialising, but to really understand their situation, we need only walk a day in their shoes.
And that’s what 60 Aussies are planning to do.
This February individuals will take to the streets selling The Big Issue to Sydney’s passerbys to raise awareness for the 11,000 disadvantaged people who sell magazines in 35 countries around the world.
“Ron’s a great man and this is a great cause” – Jay Watson from @Westpac. Thanks for you support during #VendorWeek pic.twitter.com/6B4GQegpvq
— The Big Issue (@thebigissue) February 5, 2016
The Big Issue, which began in 1996, acts as an independent, not-for-profit organisation that provides a small manner of income to the streets homeless.
‘Vendors’, or the disadvantaged persons employed by the organisation to sell the magazine, buy copies of the fortnightly Big Issue for $3.50 and sell them for $7, keeping the difference as their income.
The organisation hopes to bring in $100,000 this February with the help of celebrities Mike Baird, Tanya Plibersek and Telstra CEO Andy Penn, just to name a few.
So if you see a celebrity out and about, purchase a copy and know your money could help the people who need it most.
