Michelle Obama serves food to D.C. poor and homeless, but...

First Lady Michelle Obama showed up Thursday as a surprise and welcome volunteer at Miriam's Kitchen, a soup kitchen for homeless poor people not far from the White House.

She brought with her some food donated by White House staff.

The first lady served up mushroom risotto and broccoli to a long line of homeless men and women during part of her lunch hour and in these photos poses for a picture by one homeless diner obviously excited to be in the first lady's presence.

Obama said she hoped her service would cause other Americans to volunteer to help the less fortunate in their own communities.

And, of course, such images of need might also help build support for her husband's economic and healthcare reform agenda, although a Miriam's spokeswoman said their average "guest" has been homeless since about the time Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

Miriam's is a privately funded soup kitchen about seven blocks from the White House that has 1,200 volunteers and serves about 300, mainly men, each morning. Our colleague Mark Silva has more on the volunteer work in the Swamp here.

Both of these news photos were widely distributed across the country and even around the world.

It doesn't detract from the first lady's generous gesture or the real needs she seeks to highlight to ask two bothersome journalistic questions about these news photos:

If this unidentified meal recipient is too poor to buy his own food, how does he afford a cellphone?

And if he is homeless, where do they send the cellphone bills?

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photos: Associated Press (top); Getty Images (bottom).

Comments

[Don Buscani]

Cheap pre-paid cell phones are everywhere.

[Arturo Gomes]

Boy Malcolm, you are dumb and out of touch. Ever heard of a pre-paid phone?

[Anne W.]

Not all cell phones have contracts and bills--there is a prepaid kind. My own cell phone costs me exactly $5 per month. If a person has no permanent residence, why should they also do without phone service? Having a phone is essential for looking for a job.

I don't know anything about this man or his circumstances, and I suspect the writer of this article doesn't either.

[Itsa setup]

Get out! Wow- Those folks can't be too hard up. Cool cell phone.... Do folks get free cellphone service in DC?
Still way cool for Mrs President to be doing a good thing.
Looks like she's having fun and that is a good thing too!

[Erika]

I immediately thought the same thing about the homeless guy (how can he afford a camera cell phone), but then I realized if someone I cared about was down and out I would probably help him/her in any reasonable way, including adding them to my cell phone plan so I could stay in contact with them.... 10.00 a month, not a problem....hopefully this was the case with this guy! EC

[8moviesfiveplays]

That's very insensitive, though I wont judge you as you have judged the homeless reporter, perhaps he was recently laid off from a newspaper.

First, many homeless people are on disability, or maybe like mother hubbard his cupboard was empty and he stopped in to grab a meal.

Secondly to communicate with their family members or friends, many homeless and semi homeless people buy a boost or virgin phone and when they get their SSI or WIC check they buy 25 dollars worth of minutes. Or maybe he’s just storing the photo.

If this is the attitude of the reporter we will until he's homeless, hopefully then someone will have a bigger heart and feed clothe and shelter him/her.

[LaMiaVerita]

Maybe he stole it? Or...maybe he's a newly laid off employee who hasn't given up his phone yet? Or..maybe he just likes broccoli risotta.... :)

[Figgins]

Pays-As-You-Go phone.

[Will Gates]

Uhhhhhhh! 'pay as you go' maybe?

Perhaps he's a job applicant or an independent contractor who does odd jobs and needs a way to get any call backs. Once we answer the First Lady's call to serve, more of us will know and understand who these people are and how they survive.

[j hoffman]

Gee you really dont have a ckue how these people live! They use pre-paid, Without the cell phone nthey cant be contacted and get any money for a short term job etc. its their life line

[Jerseymother]

I help at an interfaith shelter in New Jersey, The people who are served there also have cell phones. They use disposable or pay as you go devices and they are useful for keeping family in touch and giving a contact number at a job interview.
If there is no way to be contacted, you are less desirable as an employee.

[Syed Alla Baksh]

The first lady's particicipation in serving the needy homeless of washington D.C is a good gesture. It reflects the fact that in the capital city has so many needy homeless people,and all these needy people require help, direction and work to transform from the needy dependent status to contributing folks who can add to national economy and provide means and jobs to others.
I only wish with in the term of presidency of Barak Obama all these homeless needs are addressed and there may not be any requirement of such kitchens in future.

[Doris]

Mr. Malcolm, many homeless people have jobs, at least part time; they just don't earn enough reliably to be able to afford rent. Cell phones can be bought in check cashing outlets. The buyer also buys minutes of cell phone use ahead of time, rather than being billed for time he's already used.

[kay]

Maybe it is pay as you go and he is a day laborer? Maybe he is very recently homeless and also has more than one pair of shoes and a leather jacket too? Maybe he can't afford a home on his minimum wage job, but can afford the "luxury" of getting a call or making a call for day work? Maybe he is a volunteer?

[Brian]

Having worked with homeless people in Washington, many homeless aid programs give their clients pre-paid cell phones for exactly the reason you say: no fixed address. When searching for jobs and applying for aid, the clients need a telephone number and this is one way to get it. Frequently the phones are donated either from people's discards or from phone manufacturers, so many of them have cameras and other features.

[Johnnyred]

Kind of spoilt by that secret service guy who looks as though he'd rather.....well you know.

[Angie]

Just because the man had a cell phone doesn't mean that he has a job. Many new people are in soup lines that are making enough money to pay their bills, but are short on money for food. The person that asked this question doesn't know what is going on in the real world right now. This is a place for America's "new poor " to get at least one hot meal per day. Take the time to talk to some of the people that are in line. This place is set up for the "poor ' and homeless. Besides if you are looking for work, you need a phone where you can be reached.

[David Ings]

Regarding the cell phone: we have friends who are down on their luck, and we provided them a phone on our account. We get the bill. If you're trying to get out of the homeless world, you have to get a job, and to get a job, you must have a phone.

Your questions about the phone appear to be swipes intended to discredit, and they suggest you've never made the effort to truly consider the plight of the homeless let alone made any efforts to help.

I hope you and those close to you are not caught up in the current economic disaster. 14 people at my small company were laid off yesterday, and I'm really concerned that some of them, cell phones still in hand, may have to take advantage of the compassion and generosity of people who run food kitchens.

The harshness of judgment hardens the heart. Life gives us experiences to soften it. May all of us find ways to soften our hearts before life forces us to do so.

[oh too sweet]

homeless, but with a cell phone. hmmmhmmmm, my grandma would know what to say - but ya'll won't print it.

[ctmom]

Why does a "homeless" man have a nicer cellphone than me?

[swimmer]

Way to jump to conclusions about the guy with the cell phone. Do you see him eating or getting food? He's probably just another volunteer.

[Nat]

for people that make under a certain amount per year, there are companies that offer free phones and service. Also when you are without permanent residence, A cell phone would be the Best way to stay in Contact w/ friends and family, far cheaper than a house payment. then again, He could have been a freeloader getting a lunch and a shot at Ms. Obama.

this post was written on a cell phone

[Pete]

Why ask the questions about his use of a cell phone camera to the readership? The questions should be asked of the person with the cell phone and if that person can not be located, then they should not be used as a device to imply that the plight of the homeless is merely a ruse.

So I ask you why does it matter? Are you implying something unsavory? Are you saying that homelessness is not rising? Are you saying it is a ploy? That there is no problem?

Perhaps, the man taking the picture is a recent graduate of BUSH ECONOMIC POLICY and therefore he still has some items left over from his previously employed life.

A better journlist would have sought to answer the question, rather than ask it in print where only innuendo and assumptions could be offered as answers.

Regards,

Pete

[Alex]

The Blackberry was probably stolen and even though its service has almost certainly been disconnected, the camera of course still works.

[JACKIE KIDD]

too bad most of you are not connected to the real world or you would already know the answer. pay as you go plans are the lifeblood of the poor community even among the working class. you get no bills at home because you dont get a bill. Please lets stop demonizing the poor

[JAZ]

unbelievable picture.

[S. Watcher]

Did Michelle ever do anything like this before she became First Lady? Did she contribute any of her own money to buy the food she brought or was she getting props on WH workers' and the taxpayers' dime?

[Georgia]

To the first question: Many companies offer pre-paid cell phones, and unlimited minutes - maiinly to cater to customers that don't want to (or can't) sign a contract.

To the second question: If you truly are homeless, then it would be impossibe for you to have a land-line, and no way for anyone to contact you about a potential job.

Not every "homeless" person is walking around without a motivation to work. Aside from the mentally ill and the addicts, their really are homeless and humgry people who would willingly work, if thay could find a job.

Right now, I know people with college derees that can't find work, and are losing there homes.

[Kelly]

It's called a prepaid cellphone. You don't get bills in the mail. Mine costs about $100 per year (or under $10 per month). If he is trying to get a job, having a cellphone (or landline--but if he's homeless, that's not possible) would be a necessity.

[Ken Biegel]

I was wondering the same thing.

[Jennifer]

You can get pre-paid cell phones at most big box stores for relatively cheap and then you pre-pay for minutes. If you don't have a permanent residence it is a way to allow potential employers to contact you reliably.

[Carmen Black]

I am a housing manager at a small family-style homeless shelter. Cell phones are sometimes essential for homeless persons. How else can they receive a call about a job or an available housing opportunity?

[Colin]

Soup kitchen patron has nice cellphone/camera - wish I could afford one,but need every cent for my home repayments.

[ThinkingMan]

In response to the cellphone question: If you are homeless and want to find a job you need a cellphone so they can contact you. As for the bill, you rent a post office box. Besides, it may be a prepaid cellphone. But the bottom line is don't criticize until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Go volunteer at the local homeless shelter and you will learn a lot.

[kate]

How does a homeless man have a cute cell phone???? How does a homeless person have a cell phone? Where does he get his bills?

[stinky]

I wonder if there was any Wagyu beef in the donated White House food.

[Iris M. Gross]

There is such a thing as pre-paid cell phone service, Andrew. You use phone cards to use them. Try acting your age, or at the very least, try acting like a professional. The Virgin Mobile service I use has a program to recycle old phones to be used for just this kind of thing.

You live in too much of a cocoon!

[Cate]

I doubt cellphone guy is really homeless. When I was a teenager, my church youth group used to work at soup kitchens in DC. There is no bouncer at the door verifying people's homeless status. About half of the people who showed up were legitimately homeless. The other half were just local freeloaders who regularly ate at the soup kitchens and spent their money on more important things like weed and cellphones (they were smoking it outside the kitchen door). The attitude is "If they're giving it away, why shouldn't I get some." It was such an obvious abuse of the charity that eventually my youth group quit going to the soup kitchens and started helping Habitat for Humanity instead.

[Jan]

A lot of homeless people have cellphones -- either ones with prepaid minutes or ones with subscription plans, often paid for by loved ones. Because it allows them to communicate with prospective employers and family members, it's one of the best chances they have to get out of homelessness.
http://tinyurl.com/2h4jnj

[Jack Smith]

Cellphones are less than $60 and minutes can be purchased in blocs of time. Plus, panhandlers in metropolitan centers can earn upwards of $200 per day in change.

[Bill]

Try comparing the price of a cellphone to the cost of an apartment and I'll let you figure out which one would be easier to afford. And if you've ever been at a decent urban public school, look around at all the out-of-district students whose folks have a utility bill sent to an in-district address and you'll stop worrying your little noggin about how a homeless person could have a phone bill sent to someone else's home.

It always amazes me how much some people with a steady income wonder about every little thing poor people manage to hang onto—and then use that item to justify their skepticism about the real need out there.

I suppose lots of people Mr. Malcolm knows would get over their humiliation at eating on a breadline just to save a couple of bucks at lunch time...

[ynot4tony2]

Let's be fair...

First, the question of "If he has no address, how does he pay his phone bill?" Ever year about "pay as you go" plans?

Second, it is possible this homeless man has some ambition and saved up some money for a pay-as-you-go phone so that potential employers or bosses of day labor crews could contact him.

Third, the phone could have been given to him.

[Ryan S.]

Most likely provided by a family member, or its a black market.

[Em]

Hey you should know...
-- that there are programs that gave homeless cellphone!!
--if you lose your job recently you are by definition poor but your phone may work as a tool to get a new job.

[Continuum]

Cell phone and cell phone bills.

Clearly, you've never heard of prepaid, cheap cell phones.

What's your hidden agenda, that you have to try to throw mud?

As a wise man said, "no good deed goes unpunished".

[ctay]

Priceless.

[joewwxman]

Isn't there a constitutional right to a cel phone? Just like there is a constitutional right to a house with cable and satellite. If not there should be.I'm sure some democrat in Washington is working on it.

[Billy Anne]

I suppose it would rock your negative boat to consider it may not even be his own cell phone...BTW I have an apartment - still - and I!! have had to make use of a food bank several times to help keep me afloat. It's hard enough to have to do such things you never imagined you would - without people like you casting generalized aspersions on people forced to meet their needs the best they can. Stick to criticizing the Wall Street beasts who broke the world only to get billions to literally play with as a 'bonus'. Try nitpicking THEIR behavior, leave Main Street, and those forced to perhaps sleep out in the open on Main Street through no fault of their own ALONE.
And be grateful for a much much better First Lady than you obviously deserve.

[Eric]

They don't make you present your homeless ID at all soup kitchens. Probably because they want to help people and don't agonize over the people taking advantage.

Also, if you were transient and trying to climb out of that situation, a pre-paid phone would be one of the smartest things you could buy. Otherwise, how would potential employers get ahold of you?

[Will]

When I was homeless I had P.O. Box at the post office in the mall and a no-frills beeper (it was 1995). I slept in the front seat of my barely running old Chevy Caprice Classic. I had a job and bought my own food and used a laundromat and spent free "living room" time in a coffe shop.

I can't identify the brand of this guy's phone but I assume there's a 2009 equivalent of my old pager.