A few months back we TOLD YOU about the sandwich token program that our friends at Save On Meats launched. Essentially, if you're someone who's inclined to give money/donate to panhandlers on the street, you can buy tokens off this DTES business and instead of giving panhandlers money you give them these. They then turn them in for a healthy sandwich at Save On.
The reason I'm sparking the story again is because a company called Contagion Consulting just released an independent report on how they're viewed within the community of people who actually use them to obtain food (as opposed to those barking from the sidelines), and as it turns out most of them think it's a good idea. 86% of them, as a matter of fact. 9% were unsure and 5% didn't think they were a good idea.
“Strangers just walk by and hand them out. I can tell they are more comfortable giving me tokens instead of cash,” says one anonymous panhandler. “The money goes back into the community and helps feed the poor. It's a win/win.”
Have a read through the entire study HERE, or view a more easily digestible infographic (pun intended) HERE.
