Please Support Street Vendor Project

The Street Vendor Project (SVP) is a small, non-profit organization that provides legal representation and advocacy to various marginalized groups of New Yorkers. Whether it’s a hot dog vendor in Central Park, a bookseller in Union Square, or a tamales cart on Roosevelt Ave, the Street Vendor Project defends and fights for them. These vendors are small businesspeople often struggling to make ends meet. Most are immigrants and people of color. They work long hours under harsh conditions, asking for nothing more than a chance to sell their goods on the public sidewalk. Yet, vendors have been victims of crackdowns, receiving $1,000 tickets for minor violations like vending too close to a crosswalk. Also, they’re not given proper support from the government due to NYC’s outdated limitations on the issuance of vending licenses.

I first learned of the Street Vendor Project and its mission via Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown episode on Queens. And it was eye-opening that street vendors I took for granted were facing so many difficulties in pursuing their American dream. I grew up eating from Sammy’s Halal in Jackson Heights and remember when Arepa Lady wasn’t a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Tripa Mishqui, sold by my friend Angie’s mother on 104th Street, is magnificent. After a drunken evening, there’s nothing more satisfying than eating tacos under Roosevelt at 3 a.m. To me, street vendors, like restaurant owners, give life and culture to New York City, which I love.

On Sunday, April 10th, I’ll be walking 26.2 miles across New York City to raise contribution dollars for Street Vendor Project. Neither SVP nor On Running (whose shoe I’ll be rocking) asked me to do this. I wanted to walk as much as I could this month. I figured I’d do it with purpose and use my platform to bring attention to The Street Vendor Project that’s advocating for immigrants, POCs, and marginalized small businesspeople. Please make however much contribution as you can. And if you want to know if I’m really about it, the entirety of the walk will be streamed live via my TikTok (@jaekicho) on Sunday, April 10th, starting from 8 a.m.

Appreciate the love. Peace and blessings!