Downtown Church: Searching for Gospel, Upstairs and Down

Patty Griffin’s Nashville-recorded album releases this month
By Mark Lemley

We took off our shoes and tiptoed up the stairs, attempting to move silently on the notoriously creaky church steps. We approached the ledge of the balcony and peaked down into a dimly lit sanctuary. From the pulpit below, a slight figure with a soaring voice proclaimed the gospel. Though the enormous room was all but empty, we remained quiet as church-mice. We leaned on the balcony ledge, stared and listened. Our socked feet suddenly seemed appropriate; this is what you do on holy ground.

Featured Vendor:
Michael Labrie


By Michael Labrie
Homeless Writer

Attitude is everything. How you approach life defines not only who you are, but also how people view you. I must admit, when I first completed the vendor orientation I was eager to get started. My attitude was “let’s sell them all today!” I figured I could make my mark in the Vanderbilt area and set out for 21st avenue with a fresh optimism and great attitude. The funny thing about attitudes, though, is that they can change instantly. And optimism, like milk, will sour if you let your guard down. And I did.

The Contributor is in the Press


We've gotten a good little bit of press attention this year. See what's being said:

• Nashville homeless newspaper sales keep soaring (The Tennessean 11/28/09)


• The USA Today Feature

• The News Channel 5 Feature

We're Begging So Our Vendors Don't Have To!


Please Support The Contributor this Holiday Season
Two years ago this month, The Contributor was launched from a sidewalk bench by volunteers providing newspapers to homeless and formerly homeless vendors.

This month, with the help of The Fugitive Foundation, we are launching a campaign to hire part-time staff. Please consider a donation this holiday season to keep The Contributor in circulation.

The Homeless Man


By Kerry Shawell (a.k.a. Hack)
Formerly Homeless Poet



How can you praise a homeless man
and call him “Father” Sunday,
refuse to shake the homeless hand of a man
that following Monday?
‘Cause one day that man
won’t be so homeless no more.
Won’t it be great to see those gates
him knock on heaven’s door?
And I’m sure our Father’s gonna
welcome ‘em in saying “well how ya’ been?
And by the way, you’re forgiven of sins;
no longer booze you should drink,
not wearing clothes that would stink:
you’re made new.”
And that’s just what my Father
would do, and for you too.
To see you up in heaven would be sweet,
but we must love that homeless man
seven days of the week.