Nashville’s street newspaper The Contributor hosted a benefit featuring photography by homeless and formerly homeless newspaper vendors, live Americana music, food from local artisans, and the 2012 vendor awards on Jan. 5.

For the third year in a row, The Contributor is offering the city of Nashville the unique opportunity to view our city through the eyes of homeless and formerly homeless newspaper vendors. Featuring nearly 60 photographs taken with disposable cameras by approximately 50 vendors of The Contributor, ‘The Disposables’ is a revealing and inspiring portrait of our city from the perspective of homeless and formerly homeless Nashvillians.

In addition to photography from vendors of The Contributor, Americana musicians Al and Whit Hill, Adam Chaffins, Millicent Martin, Lynn Taylor, and Graham Gray will perform live for all in attendance. Taking place during Nashville’s monthly art crawl, ‘The Disposables’ has quickly become one of Nashville’s most unique gatherings, as readers, vendors, and staff of The Contributor find themselves under one roof enjoying art, food, fellowship, and music.

Comfort food and dessert prepared by Porter Road Butcher and Christie Cookie will be provided to all in attendance.

Admission to the event is free, but a donation of $5 is suggested. Photography by homeless and formerly homeless newspaper vendors will be for sale with profits benefiting The Contributor and the artists. Donations for The Contributor will also be accepted. Approximately 40% of the organization’s budget comes from direct donor support. ‘The Disposables’ will be an opportunity for readers and supporters to get to know the organization, and to contribute to the paper’s success in 2013.

Special thanks to Porter Road Butcher, Christie Cookie, Chromatics, Dury’s, Allen Winfree of Production House, Gabrielle Saliba, NowPlayingNashville, and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for generous donations, sponsorship and assistance.

The Contributor, a 501(c)3 organization, is Nashville’s street newspaper. We strive to print a newspaper that provides a diversity of perspectives on homelessness and a source of income for homeless and formerly homeless individuals while creating community between newspaper vendors and customers.