Column:'Pimp This Bum' helps one out of thousands

03/27/09 - The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported in 2005 that 744,313 people were homeless in America, but the Web site PimpThisBum.com, built by a father-son tandem, primarily supports one homeless man named Tim.Kevin J. Dolan and his son Sean created the Web site to support Tim Edwards. To date, the Web site has received $50,000 in donations that range from 45 cents to $300. Also, Sunray Treatment and Recovery, a rehab center near Seattle, has donated a $22,800 alcohol treatment program for Edwards.

While other homeless people carry signs that ask for food or money, Edwards carries a sign reading the Web site's URL: www.pimpthisbum.com.

The program supports one man while the bigger picture is set aside. Dolan said that if he had taken a more serious approach, their campaign to help the homeless would be ignored. "We knew that if we insulted people's sensitivity or appealed to their humor on a subject as sensitive as this we would get their attention," Dolan said on his web site.

Though the efforts of Dolan and his son are well intended and have fostered the public to take charitable action, the Web site neglects the remaining homeless population.

It's a genuine effort to help someone out, but in the process, the only thing that separates Edwards from the other homeless in the United States is a chance encounter with the Dolans. Edwards did nothing special to gain attention and at the moment is still jobless, but makes $100 per day through the Web site.

Though Dolan said on his site he does not think people would pay attention to a more serious fund, other organizations exist that do assist the homeless population as a whole. There are 41 homeless shelters listed on the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless Web site.

According to the shelter Crossroads Rhode Island's web site, there are 7,000 homeless in the state, but from 2006 to 2007, 6,773 people stayed in shelters, leaving out only 227. With more resources, the remaining could also be helped.

Through Dolan's program, Edwards is guaranteed money each day, which adds up to $2,800 a month. According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Rhode Islanders working at minimum wage earn $7.40 an hour, adding up to $1,184 a month.

Minimum wage employees engage in actual labor and earn less than Edwards who simply panhandles with his "Pimp This Bum" sign.

If the funds earned from the Dolans' Web site were directed toward one or more organizations, more people could be helped. Alternatively, Dolan could also possibly create his own organization that helps a more widespread amount of people.

In addition to not helping a larger population, the message displayed by the "Pimp" fund creates a misleading implication to other homeless people. Edwards' good fortune is an anomaly and does not reflect the reality that the majority of the homeless face.

While the general idea of starting the Web site was to help one man, it does nothing to spread awareness about the total homeless population in the United States. Instead, it deters people away from donating to groups that help the overall cause. Pimp This Bum has earned $50,000 for Edwards, which translates into $50,000 that is taken away from the bigger picture.

It's presumed that Edwards will someday find a job and not be homeless, but there would still be 744,312 people on the streets. With the $50,000 in monetary donations and the additional donated rehab program, a total of $72,800 would have been used to get one man off the street.

The story of the Dolans and Edwards may be perceived in different ways. Some might view the deed as something refreshing and goodhearted, but it only overlooks an ongoing national problem. Frankly, helping homeless people one by one at $72,800 is unrealistic and instead, the Dolans should try to find a more broadened and elaborate fix.