Comments on: SoPo Bikes: Reinstate Whole Foods fundraiser for homeless

By: Rachael Spiewak, MSW, Executive Director, Sopo Bicycle Cooperative

Rachael Spiewak, MSW, Executive Director, Sopo Bicycle Cooperative — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:45:53 +0000

On Friday, September 12, Ponce Whole Foods contacted Taskforce and Sopo to tell us that they are honoring their original commitment to dedicate last Wednesday’s 5% Day to Taskforce for the Homeless. They are making a fantastic contribution directly to the shelter, which will be spent on opening and operating the bicycle shop where the Earn-A-Bike program will take place. We look forward to continuing to partner with Taskforce and other agencies who want to pursue access to cycling and bicycle repair for all!

By: Thomas Wheatley

Thomas Wheatley — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:13:29 +0000

I haven’t reached out to Rachael yet. (I’m a gent, dammit, and can’t call someone this late at night.) But you’re right — the school’s involvement isn’t clear from the above message.

By: B King

B King — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:02:21 +0000

I'm sure Sopo Bicycle Cooperative's idea is well intentioned. I'm all for helping people get jobs and get to them. The issue has nothing to do with Sopo Bicycle Cooperative, but with the organization they have chosen to partner with. They should choose to work with a reputable organization, such as the United Way's Regional Commission on Homelessness or the Gateway Center. These organizations have a much better track record actually helping people, which Creative Loafing has chronicled. There is a reason that the Task Force is no longer eligible for federal or city funding - they do not provide effective assistance to homeless, they refuse to cooperate with other regional care providers (notice they are not involved with the Regional Commission, and they have worked in the past to undermine it), and their presence is a blight on the local community. Also, can someone clarify for me if Paideia high school itself is involved, or if the intern is simply a student there? cross posted at Terminal Station.