Can you spare a token?

Sanctity of Hope offers new way for you to help the homeless

By Briena Sash
The Portland Upside
August 2009

Sanctity of Hope raises awareness of its token program with their weekly barbecue for the homeless. (Photo by Travis Van /Staaveren

Portland-based, nonprofit Sanctity of Hope is unique. It isn’t just about helping the homeless; it’s about “helping you help the homeless.”

Oregon native Travis Van Staaveren created Sanctity of Hope as a solution to a problem. He knew that people want to help those less fortunate; he also knew, however, that many people are hesitant to hand out cash and, therefore, may not give at all. How could he help people, who don’t want to give cash, give to the homeless? How about a token system?

“I wanted to get the community more involved helping each other. I wanted to remove fear of ‘ultimate use’ and make it easier to give,” says Travis.

In order to facilitate giving, Travis has devised a plan: he has minted silver dollar-sized brass tokens which can be bought by the public and given to the homeless instead of cash. The homeless redeem the tokens at participating establishments to purchase necessary items such as food and emergency goods. Sanctity of Hope then purchases the tokens back from the partners and sells them back to the public.

What inspired Travis to become so heavily involved with such an issue?

“I’m a problem solver,” Travis admits,” I saw a problem and there didn’t seem to be a good enough solution—so I came up with one.”

Many may assume Travis to be much more than a problem solver… humanitarian, perhaps? Travis has strong objections to these accusations. Truth be told, Travis is a surprising and seemingly unlikely candidate to start such an organization in response to this sort of social problem. Web Master by trade, Travis has no background with nonprofit work. When speaking of the events and circumstances leading up to the organization’s birth, Travis does not mention things like Social Justice, Liberation Theology, duty or rights. Nor does he speak of any sort of calling or mission. He simply describes himself as someone doing what he thought needed to be done.

“It’s a travesty: people who want to help, but can’t, and people who need their help but don’t receive it. I wanted to get rid of the barriers to giving and show everyone just how generous we are,” Travis continues, “That is what Sanctity of Hope is all about, giving people the opportunity to give.”

Pizza Schmizza is among the local establishments accepting tokens, where 2-3 tokens can buy a hot slice of pizza and soda at two of the popular pizza chain’s downtown locations.

“Since Sanctity of Hope buys the tokens back from businesses, no business needs to take a loss by accepting tokens,” says Travis.

In fact, businesses determine each token’s value in their own stores. They can decide whether to participate for charity or for profit. It’s a win-win.

“So far the tokens have had a great response,” according to Travis, “People feel comfortable handing them out, and the homeless love them.”

However, it is not always easy getting establishments to accept tokens. Travis realizes that while some businesses are happy accepting them, many still view them as a hassle. Because of this, Travis is taking Sanctity of Hope, and giving to the homeless, in a new direction: token-only vending machines.

Travis’s newest project is to set up vending machines that solely accept Sanctity of Hope tokens. Sanctity of Hope’s first vending machine, installed in January of this year, is located in the Job Resource Center at the Goodwill on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in SE Portland. The location has already seen such great response that Goodwill has encouraged placing several more at their other Job Resource locations.

Socks, sewing kits, granola bars, personal hygiene products, flashlights, and emergency items were among the items recommended by the homeless themselves and initially available in Sanctity of Hope’s vending machine. That is, until Travis recognized an imbalance in item purchases. Surprisingly, the vast majority of tokens were being exchanged for Subway gift cards. Stocking Sanctity of Hope vending machines with gift cards offers a broader selection and lets the homeless decide what they want or need.

“I was purchasing many of the items in the vending machine at the same stores now represented by gift cards, so the selection has actually grown,” says Travis.

He also believes it will better promote feelings of dignity.

“I want to integrate the homeless back into society, to make them feel like they are part of the community instead of outsiders. With gift cards in hand, the homeless are no different than any other customer.”

So far, Travis has collected gift cards and gift certificates from barber shops, restaurants, outdoor/survival stores, pet shops, dollar stores, bicycle shops, coffee shops, and many more. In the near future he hopes to include a laundromat and a place for bathing.

When asked about the response of the homeless community to Sanctity of Hope, Travis explained, “In the beginning our only concern was that the homeless community would not be receptive to the token system—preferring to receive cash. This has certainly not been the case. We’ve heard so many of the homeless say, ‘thank you, the last thing I need in my pocket is money.’”

With a fist-full of tokens the homeless can get a meal at a number of restaurants, a haircut, some food for their dog, a bicycle tire, a blanket, some socks, or just a cup of coffee.
Local businesses, foundations and individuals alike have shown Sanctity of Hope astounding support.

“We’ve had youth groups, men’s groups, churches, and a number of volunteers take on Sanctity of Hope as a project. They’re purchasing and distributing tokens, raising money at work, handing out care packages at our weekly barbecue, and even baking cookies and knitting scarves and hats to hand out to people to raise awareness,” says Travis.

Token minting and vending machine purchases are supported 100 percent by sponsors and token sales. Tokens are minted in batches of 1,000 and most tokens include the sponsor’s name imprinted on the back side of the token. Vending Machines can be similarly sponsored. Sanctity of Hope plans to install 10 more vending machines in Multnomah County in the next 24 months, and eventually expand nationwide.

“What we need now is to familiarize the public with Sanctity of Hope,” says Travis. “To let them know they can give freely, without hesitation, and truly feel good.”
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For more information about Sanctity of Hope, to purchase tokens, or to sponsor a set of tokens or a vending machine, visit www.SanctityOfHope.org or email Travis at info@sanctityofhope.org

Briena Sash is a longtime community volunteer, travel photographer and photojournalist intimately involved photographing, chronicling, and befriending the Portland homeless community. www.streetquotes.wordpress.com