The Contributor, a local non-profit newspaper, is currently in a financial bind after reports of the paper shutting down surfaced at the end of last month.
Vendors across the area rely on the paper for a major source of income.
Vendor George Woods stands at the corner of Glen Echo and Belmont Boulevard greeting drivers and Lipscomb students as they walk to class each morning.
He’s been selling The Contributor for four years and chose his location because he heard about the generosity of Lipscomb students.
Woods kept it simple when asked about how to help the paper.
“They’d have to make donations. The only thing they need is money” Woods said.
Down by Music Row, drivers are referred to as kings and queens by vendor Sean L.
He sells The Contributor seven days a week, eight hours a day, rain or shine. He makes sure to treat people with respect and is quite the popular individual with his customers. Many drivers shout greetings as they drive by like they’re talking to an old friend.
By selling The Contributor, Sean is able to pay for a weekly motel room, put food on the table and help his mother each week. He’s close to getting his own apartment, but losing The Contributor would set him back.
“The paper means that I can support myself, that I have a life […] and that I can do better for myself, save money and help others besides myself,” Sean L. said.
Both Woods and Sean L. say it’s not difficult to help The Contributor. Any donation is welcomed and will go a long way to help the paper. Donations can be made online at thecontributor.org or through your local vendor.
Students brought donations to The Gathering on Sept. 9th to help the paper and raised $5,005. President Lowry was set to make a matching donation as well.