A homeless man that lives on the streets of Detroit is putting ingenuity, convenience, and technology to work in order to get more donations from passersby. With the lack of snow this winter, at least in the Midwest, Abe Hagenston is without the income he usually generates by shoveling sidewalks and driveways. To make up the difference in his usual cash intake, he’s invested in a Square credit card reader in order to facilitate credit card donations as well as spare change from people walking past his panhandling requests. According to “Honest Abe”, as he’s known,
“I take VISA, MasterCard, American Express,” Abe told Campbell. “I’m the only homeless guy in America who can take a credit card. It’s all done safely and securely through square.com.”
He may sound like a Square spokesperson with his ringing endorsement for the payment, but the extra cash also gives Abe and his friends in the homeless population some extra time when they are not out asking for money from generous citizens. They have now created a “union” style group that involves a specific schedule of rotating panhandling duties and resting. With more then half a million homeless people estimated to live in the United States at any given moment, there is still a long way to go before a more permanent solution to homelessness is found. Until then, ingenuity of this style can be applauded and with any luck Abe will be able to get enough additional donations to find a permanent home in the near future.
(via CBS Local Detroit)
