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Talk Show Host Becomes Homeless
November 19, 2010
A Pensacola radio station host lived among the chronically homeless last weekend to get a better understanding of homelessness in Pensacola.
With nothing more than a backpack, bicycle and sleeping bag, Branden Rathert, host of “Pensacola Right Now” on NewsRadio 1620, set out to interview and live among the homeless people. His goal was to learn what it is like to be homeless in the Pensacola area and bring the story and reality to the community during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
“It was one of the most insightful experiences in my entire life, and I am excited to bring the story to the rest of the community,” Rather will share that story Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. on NewsRadio 1620 AM.
Following his weekend in a homeless camp by an area railroad track and eating with the homeless, Rathert said the stories of a great number of homeless people are the polar opposite of stereotypes.
“I did this because there are nearly 1,000 homeless people in our community largely ignored. I wanted to find out why they live the way they do and what factors led them to their lifestyle. I couldn’t just report on the story to bring it accurately to the community, I wanted to live it,” he said.
Rathert’s project was in conjunction with the EscaRosa Homeless Coalition.
Pictured: A composite photograph of radio host Randen Rathert as normal afternoon talk show host (left) and homeless man (right). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “Talk Show Host Becomes Homeless”
Did you ever stop to think that maybe he put his own money in the cup for the photo purposes? Let’s look at the positive. I’m sure he didn’t just go out begging for money. This man did what most would not. Instead of looking from the outside in, he went to the inside source and realized what it is truly like to be homeless. Because he did this I highly doubt he was out “panhandling” as that was not his intent. Why do people always have to pick SOMETHING out in order to ruin a kind-hearted deed? Give this man a break. I pray that you see he did good with this and not something evil.
Unless of course, he gave the money to other homeless people…then your false pretense argument sort of goes out the window…
The photo montage shows Rathert with a styofoam cup with dollar bills protruding. I truly hope that Rathert wasn’t panhandling, accepting the money of kindhearted folks who thought he was in need, when chances are that his salary is higher than most. Regardless of what may have become of the donations, they would still have been received under false pretenses.