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The Big Issue magazine is sold by homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged vendors on streets. There are more than 500 vendors working around the country, with a wide range of experiences leading them to The Big Issue. This includes homelessness, long-term unemployment, intellectual and physical disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency and family breakdown. Every vendor has a different story, but all are looking to improve their lives. Vendors have the opportunity to earn an immediate income and engage meaningfully with the community. Vendors buy each magazine for $3.50 and sell it for $7, keeping the difference. They are not asking for a handout or charity, but are selling a genuine product – which is why we encourage people to always take the magazine they pay for. Women are also employed by The Big Issue to pack the magazines for distribution to subscribers every fortnight, giving them an income as well as access to training, mentoring and support.