November 2019 Vendor Profile: Rodney Woolfolk

Credit: Sarah Ford

The Healing Power of Vending

BY ELISABETH MONAGHAN

When life presents Rodney Woodfolk with challenges, he always manages to face them down and come out ahead. Woodfolk, who proudly shows off the number 14 on his vendor ID badge — proof that he was among the first vendors to sell the Denver VOICE — has had his share of difficulties.

A carpenter by trade, Woodfolk was forced to find a new career, when he had a terrible accident on his way to a job site.

“One morning, I was riding my bike to work and was hit by a car,” explained Woodfolk. “My ACL was torn, and the people just left me in the street. I didn’t realize how bad I was hurt until I got to the job site.”

For nearly nine months, Woodfolk wore a brace that extended from his hip down to his ankle. The lack of mobility meant he could not do the physical labor required to earn a living as a carpenter. The lack of work meant he had no income. It was during this period that Woodfolk’s then-wife Monica showed him a flyer she received earlier in the day. It promoted the Denver VOICE and highlighted income opportunities for prospective vendors. 

After scanning the flyer, Woodfolk said to his wife, “Look, I’m not about to go begging nobody. I am not a panhandler.” Anticipating his response, Monica informed Woodfolk she had already spoken to the people who handed her the flyer, and they explained how the vendor program worked. Woodfolk decided he would give it a try. 

“At the time, there was only a handful of us,” said Woodfolk. “Back then, the paper was $1, but this one day, Monica was talking to a lady, and the lady gave her a dollar for the paper. As we were walking away, the lady called Monica back and gave her a $20 bill. That’s when I thought, ‘Wait a minute. We got something here.’” 

Since then, Woodfolk has regularly encountered generous buyers, who frequently give him more than the suggested $2 donation. Recently, while heading to a farmer’s market where he sells the paper on Sundays, a man approached and told him, “Hey, I really appreciate what you’re doing,” and handed him $20. 

Selling the VOICE has given Woodfolk a way to earn a living. His job as a vendor has also been therapeutic for him. A Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf in the 1980s, Woodfolk suffers from PTSD. While he sometimes experiences crippling anxiety, he believes interacting with people has been beneficial. 

“When I’m out there and I’m speaking with a potential customer — just to have a simple conversation helps ease my anxiety,” he said.

Woodfolk reflects on the opportunities his work with the VOICE has given him, “Who would’ve thought this was going to grow into what it is?” he asked. “Every day I’m out there, I get to speak to interesting folks, and I think that’s what keeps me going.”

Calling himself a “vendor for life,” Woodfolk believes others can experience the same sense of fulfillment the VOICE has given him, but his endorsement of the work comes with a caveat. As Woodfolk explained, “It pays to be kind to people, but if you don’t have patience, or if you’re not a people person, this is not the job for you.” ■