More than 400 homeless or formerly homeless salesmen have combined to make an estimated $1 million this year. Dozens have used the income to get off the streets. While the vendors are doing well, “The Contributor” still runs on a shoestring. The non-profit street paper holds its annual art show fundraiser Saturday, January 8th.

“We believe in the power and value of community newspapers,” Lawson said Tuesday. “Community newspapers continue to play a major social role for their readers and provide the go-to advertising vehicle for businesses in their markets. Community newspapers also have an opportunity to navigate the transition to the Internet and online readership that passed metropolitan newspapers by. With our company’s knowledge of online news products, we will be on the cutting edge of web development and audience building for community newspapers in the years to come.”