Nashville Homeless Newspaper Expands

Vendor Charles Nell sells The Contributor near MetroCenter with partner Shelly Hertz.

Nashville’s homeless newspaper is expanding and will begin publishing twice a month starting Wednesday.

 

The Contributor has enjoyed exponential growth in the last two years. Even with just one issue a month, it’s already the highest circulating “streetpaper” in the U.S.

Publishing the newspaper twice as often is not expected to double sales. But the paper’s editor says he hopes it gives people a reason to keep buying from the homeless vendors, like Sally Hertz. She says sales do fall off once an issue gets stale.

“At the end of the month, you’re not doing very many sales. So two issues a month would be very good.”

With hundreds of vendors, The Contributor reports roughly a third have been able to earn enough money to keep a roof over their heads. Hertz sells near MetroCenter with her partner, Charles Nell.

“We’re not off the street yet, but we’re sure working on it.”

In addition to its new publication schedule, The Contributor will also start printing on a larger format.