Pledge Your Stimulus Check to Support NYC Street Vendors!

Four weeks into the COVID-19 crisis in New York City - the epicenter of this global pandemic - and city, state and federal governments have continued to fail many of our neighbors most in need, including NYC’s street vendors. Street Vendors have yet to receive any form of government aid or assistance to survive this public health and socioeconomic crisis.

So today, we are calling on the people to step in!

Beginning April 9th, adults with a US Social Security number and an income less than $75,000 will begin receiving a direct payment of $1,200 via the federal stimulus package (CARES Act). However, thousands of street vendors in New York City will be excluded from receiving support due to their immigration status, despite their enormous contribution to the culture and economy of NYC, and the fact that they pay taxes on their businesses using Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Street vendors are an essential part of New York City, and in the past few weeks, these small business owners have been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. 90% of the Street Vendor Project's members are low-wage immigrant workers who rely on busy streets in order to survive day to day, and do not have a safety net to fall back on. We live in one of the most expensive cities in the world, and vendors are struggling to support their families as many are ineligible for unemployment benefits, small business assistance loans, or the emergency federal stimulus package.

If you are a salaried worker, we are asking that you pledge to contribute all or a portion of your stimulus check to our city’s street vendors - the workers who support New Yorkers rain or shine - so that we make it out of this crisis safely, together.



Form by
Carina  Kaufman-Gutierrez
Elmhurst, New York