In what can only be seen as a sideways swipe at the controversial panhandling ordinance, a homeless charity is out to prove it’s better to give than receive. To celebrate handing out their millionth meal to the indigent, national charity Mobile Loaves and Fishes will be having a reverse panhandling event. They’ll be handing out ‘survival packs’ to commuters and passers-by. These will contain the kind of food found in the meals they provide free to the homeless every night in Austin.

In a flip on the norm, they’ll be using the very panhandlers (their term) the ordinance would seek to drive off the streets. They’ll be working their normal corners, but this time it will be them doing the giving. Oh, and there’ll be an addition to their ranks: City Council member Mike Martinez, who has opposed such an ordinance as missing the point by tackling the symptom, not the cause, of panhandling.

For those of you looking for a free breakfast, the survival packs will be being distributed at multiple sites around town next Wednesday 7.45-9am.

This article appears in September 28 • 2007.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.