We’ve heard of ‘Pimp My Ride’ but here’s a new twist: ‘Pimp this Bum.’ This story has a mix of the internet revolution and a family’s attempt to change one person’s life. As the story goes, a man and his son found a homeless man who normally stands on the side of the road asking for donations. Now, they’ve convinced this man to hold a sign that reads ‘www.Pimpthisbum.com’ instead. They actually pay him a daily wage to do so, and through the site, they generate donations of specific items for him and his homeless friend.

While this idea has some innovation to it, there is a downside from industry experts. Those who work in shelters and other service providers find this one person approach ineffective and find even the site’s name controversial. In Indianapolis, there has been a specific message in the last year not to give to beggars on the street because we want them to find more long-term solutions.

What do you think? Should everyone ‘Pimp this Bum’? Or should such activity be discouraged? Read this article to form your own opinion.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/26/pimp.this.bum/index.html