...to deal with crisis among a segment of their constituents. Possiblecoupon on all take out coffee cups being proposed and panhandlers will be able to collect coupons and redeem them for cash at Toronto Silly Hall. They will be known as Layton Bucks.
Panhandlers Feeling Effects Of Staggering Economy
Douglas Belanger is working overtime in front of the Tim Horton's at Adelaide and Sheppard, opening doors for those in need of a caffeine fix while holding out a nearly empty coffee cup that he hopes to fill with enough loose change for a square meal.
On this cold, drizzly weekday morning, his efforts are being largely ignored by the throngs of jaded investors and assorted business people who shuffle past with pale faces and empty eyes after witnessing, and absorbing, a staggering stretch of market losses --- the effects of which have wormed their way from the mammoth skyscrapers that paint the downtown skyline, down to the maze of streets below where the scurrying game of survival takes place on a daily basis.
As Belanger knows all too well, the streets are cold, and they feel even colder in the abysmal black shadows cast by the financial district's towering institutions --- shadows that can seemingly swallow a person whole.
But it's not just the approach of winter or the lack of sunlight that has Belanger feeling a chill in his road-weary bones these days. Like many who, by choice or otherwise, attempt to make a living on the streets through panhandling, busking, or washing windshields, the already-struggling former iron worker is now facing an even bleaker reality. What used to be prime real estate in the panhandling world is slowly drying up.
2 comments:
Douglas Belanger died May 6, 2009.
He leaves behind his father Paul, daughter Jamie Lynne, brother Derek (Christine), sister Tracey (John and many friends.
Doug chose a different path in life- not approved by most, but it was his choice.
His daughter Jamie posted this on Facebook
"Rest in Peace Daddy... I love you forever...
We will all miss him.
I wrote this story, sad to hear about douglas, he seemed like decent fella. r.i.p.
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