Homeless Get Unhappy Meals as Some McDonald's Do Away With Dollar Menu

by Becky Blanton · 2010-09-09 12:42:00 UTC
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In the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, the homeless are upset that at least one McDonald's franchise is getting rid of its dollar menu, putting meals out of reach for the only people who really don't have other options.

According to KETK News, many of the homeless believe the move is an extension of the mayor's anti-loitering campaign designed to drive the homeless out of the area. Rather than depend on the city for enforcement, McDonald's is hitting the homeless where it hurts — the wallet. That's what the media is focusing on, at least — the poor homeless who can't afford a burger. They aren't focusing on the other side, that of the homeless looking for a place to sleep off a drunk or a high or to panhandle who think it is their "right" to crash in front of a business and ruin things for everyone else.

Not only is McDonald's trying to run a business, but it's having to deal with certain homeless people blocking the steps, panhandling and scaring customers away. Though the franchise owner said she has to lock the bathrooms and sometimes call the cops, she said the 50-cent price hike is a business decision. And this is a business, not a city park. McDonald's offers affordable meals and a clean place to enjoy them. That's its business model. McDonald's is not in the business of providing a place to crash until it's time to line up at the shelter.

Am I being unreasonable to assume that any businessperson or private party reading this would do the same to chase away anything or anyone hurting their business? Why are we so quick to blame the owner who is providing jobs, paying taxes that help supplement welfare programs and offering a truly affordable meal? When the only media mentions the homeless get are negative portrayals of panhandlers sitting on the patio and steps of McDonald's, complaining about the cost of a burger, the people it hurts are the working poor and the working homeless.

Panera Bread cuts off my WiFi access after 30 minutes during peak hours. But it's the same rule for everyone, so no one complains. The restaurant industry designs its tables and chairs to be just comfortable enough to allow you to eat for 20-30 minutes and then leave. It's why fast-food restaurants don't have comfy padded benches. They don't want you there all day.

Why not support the business owners? By staying in business they're providing jobs to some people and feeding people who depend on the source of cheap food. Why, as a society, do feel the need to defend those homeless who have obviously ignored attempts by the store owner and manager to get them to move along? Choices have consequences. The consequences, in this case, are 50-cent surcharges on cheeseburgers.

Photo credit: cohdra

Becky Blanton has 22 years of experience as a journalist and photojournalist. She spoke at TEDGlobal 2009 in Oxford, England about being one of the "working homeless."
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