Marc the Litter Guy
Posted on 07/13/2007 10:26:59 AM PDT by SubGeniusX
He's picking up 80 bags of trash a day in return for donations
TORONTO (Sun Media) - Marc the Litter Guy needed money to pay the rent but he didn't want to panhandle.
So the 30-year-old got some garbage bags and put a sign on his back saying he was cleaning the city for donations.
"I needed to make my own job, so I thought I'd go around and clean the streets. I wear a sign -- it tells what I'm doing and asks for donations -- but I don't ask for money verbally, I leave it up to people," said Marc, who has been picking up about 80 bags of garbage a day for the past 11 months.
Marc was struggling to get work as a day labourer and was tired of lining up at 4:30 a.m every day looking for a job that wasn't there.
"I can have crappy days where I don't make minimum wage, but some days I can make $10 an hour," he said.
Marc has some specific areas where he works, and it's not uncommon for businesses to donate garbage bags and give him a few bucks to clean up their areas.
Marc is talking to faculty at the University of Toronto about starting a pilot project, where panhandlers could meet at the university and then disperse with garbage bags to different locales.
"I just think this is a viable option for panhandlers and it is good for the city," he said.
It is commonplace for many panhandlers to stake out the same corner every day to beg for money.
"I think this guy has a great idea," said Robin MacDonald, a customer at Starbucks on King St. E.
"Here you have a guy who doesn't bother people and he gives back. I wouldn't mind giving my change to him."
In response to complaints about panhandlers, the city is looking into whether downtown beggars who are not homeless need help in making use of social programs.
The executive committee has met with restaurant and other business owners who are frustrated with panhandlers on downtown streets.
The committee unanimously voted to launch a pilot project -- from July 3 to Sept. 17 -- which will include meetings between senior officials and businesses to find ways of addressing the panhandling problem.
Close to the same thing NYC has been doing with workfare and it’s worked out great.
I heard NYC had a program where they taught homeless people how to do landscaping and gardening. Several them got jobs, and I think one started his own business.
But I heard that only the Mexicans do that kinda job, the job Americans won’t do.
/sarc
Good for that man.
What makes an able-bodied man go homeless.
He’s willing to work, has an entrepreneurial spirit.
Don’t get it.
I don’t know about teaching them, but NYC has a workfare program that is partially supported by local merchant associations.
I personally know one guy who went on workfare in a city government office — got off welfare, went back to school for GED and BA — and now makes close to a hundred thousand in private industry.
Work would solve many, many of our social problems.
As opposed to a liberal, who would stay in bed and cry if he had trouble finding a job, but who'll get up in time to reach the various govt offices that give our tax dollars to "victims".
Yes, speaking personally, I like to work, it gives me satisfaction. Better to be doing something useful and getting a little exercise than to wander around aimlessly or lie on the sidewalk.
In fact, I’d actually rather do this, get outdoors, see people, and do something useful that I can see with my own eyes, than work in an office eight hours a day at a routine job.
Of course the Canadian winters are another matter.
How long before the IRS inquires into his earnings?
So long as he doesn’t pick up a squeegy, I’m all for him.
There are fast-food joints in Alberta that pay starting wages of $14+ per hour for people right off the street -- and they still can't stay open all the time because they can't get enough help.
Uh, he's in Canada.
Maybe he’s over 50 when it’s tougher to get hired full time.
good for him. one question: what does he spend the money on.
What does the IRS care about some dude in Canada?
I love it.
If he was in my time, I’d drop by and give him a $20 over lunch.
The guy is in for a world of hurt. The unions in Canada have kept out Americna style “Adopt a Highway” programs because volunteers picking up trash takes work away from unionized goverment employees. If he is picking up trash off the streets, he is violating the collective bargaining agreements with the city. He will likely get arrested or fined.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.