Panhandling: Poverty or Profession

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“Sometimes I make 20 to 30 dollars in 45 minutes”

“Without a higher education that would be very difficult to do.”

To put this notion to the test, we took it upon ourselves to play the part and hit the streets as a panhandler.

Sign in hand; corner of Shary and expressway was where we chose to work…. And the money came easily…. Aside from the blazing sun and standing on my feet. Quarter after quarter, dollar after dollar, the money came easily.

“You see how dirty that cup is? Money goes in that cup. Money is the route of all evil.”

The hardest part? Finding a place to stash the money while i continued to work.. In some instances, 10 even 20 dollars were given out.

“You spread your good fortune and good fortune will come to you.”

Generosity ran so high that even lunch was provided a few times over.

And just when things were going well, the police stopped by.

We later disclosed ourselves in an effort to continue with our operation

As of July 24, the minimum wage in this country is now at 6.55 and hour. We made 134.33 in three hours…roughly, 45 dollars an hour. For anyone else doing the job, it could very well add up, providing what some say is a normal lifestyle.

“Yo vivo un vida normal como tu. De ves en quando hago una fiesta en mi casa una carne asada, unas cervescitas. A todo dar como los demas.”

panhandling can be a lucrative career. A thriving one when it’s fueled by the generosity of the community.

“Me gusta porque convivo con mucha jente

The money that was collected in our undercover operation was donated to the rio grande valley food bank. However, this is not always the case. Many panhandlers sustain a quality of life unlike any other…living under expressways and eating scraps to maintain nourished all the while, keeping their famished existence hidden from all those that once cared.

“Where is your family? They’re in Washington. I don’t want to cause them problems. Do they know you’re living on the streets? Yeah, but they’re too educated.”

And the thought alone becomes too much to bear

“Excuse me….”

While others with their houses and cars, fuel the fires of excess.