GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - ArtPrize is not just an economic boost for businesses in Grand Rapids.
Some panhandlers and beggars say they also benefit from the art competition.
“They live for ArtPrize,” says Degage Ministries executive director Marge Palmerlee. “People are very generous during ArtPrize so they look forward to ArtPrize.”
More visitors in town looking at art mean more people panhandlers can ask for help and more chances someone will give them money.
“They will give you money if you ask in a nice polite way,” says Michael Hendrix, who says he sometimes will ask a stranger for help. “It depends on the night,” he says. “If it is a weekend people are pretty generous.”
But some visitors may feel uncomfortable and not know how to react when a panhandler approaches.
“They are foreign,” explains Donovan Kendall, standing on a downtown corner. “They don’t know what to expect from someone asking for money.”
“Just respectfully say I prefer not to give out money or I don’t have any money with me,” suggests Degage director Palmerlee. “Always treating the person with dignity and respect as you would want to be treated.”
Degage Ministries sells $2 vouchers people can offer panhandlers instead of money. The panhandlers can redeem the vouchers for meals and other necessities.
“It gives them an opportunity to then come into our facility, and we are able to help them with more than just $2,” says Palmerlee. “Build that relationship that leads to transformation.”
But Palmerlee says some panhandlers won’t accept the vouchers. She has seen one man holding a cardboard sign begging for help that also says, “No vouchers, cash only.”
“Even if they say 'no thank you' they know you have tried to engage them in a respectful way,” she says.“We feel that treats a person with dignity.”
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