Denver firm puts ads on signs for panhandlers

Denver

May 22, 2002 | An advertising firm is handing out signs to panhandlers with a plug for the company -- a stunt homeless advocates say trivializes the plight of those on the streets.

Laminated signs with snappy messages such as, "At Least I'm Not Spamming Your E-Mail," and "Hell, It Beats a Cubicle," have begun replacing cardboard placards normally waved by panhandlers at motorists.

Dennis Wakabayachi, CEO of Sumaato Advertising, handed out the signs on Tuesday. Panhandlers are not paid to hold the signs.

"Kind of synergistic, if you think about it," he said. "We're an ad agency, and in this tough market we have to do something to get attention."

Homeless advocates said the signs focus attention in the wrong direction.

"We're trying to create lasting solutions to homelessness, and certainly panhandling, and promoting that, are not going to get us there," said John Parvensky, president of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. "We've never encouraged folks to give to panhandlers or for people to go out and panhandle."

One out of five panhandlers refused the signs, said Wakabayachi, who added that the stunt was designed to help the homeless.

Bobby Harden, 27, had good luck when she used a sign that read: "The Market Sucks/ But I Offer a High Return On Your Investments: Good Karma."

She said a woman stopped and handed her a $20 bill, saying: "`I need all the good karma I can get."'

Mike Garvey said the only response he got to the sign was negative.

"Some guy yelled out, 'Get a job!"'

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