Curbing ‘bootleggers’

The city of Huntington Beach wants residents to know that dolphins, ocean sunsets and fancy numbers aren’t allowed.

On their curbs, that is.

The city issues a permit to nonprofit Canning Hunger to paint stark black address numbers on a white, reflective background.

Any other decorative murals aren’t legal, Canning Hunger representative Greg Contopulos said, and residents don’t have a legal right to “permit” painters to add such elements to their curb address.

“We’ve seen everything you can ever imagine,” Contopulos said, from American flags to Oakland Raider flags. In Surf City, the most popular adornments are ocean-related, but they’re just as illegal.

Contopulos contends that fly-by-night companies that paint curbs and pocket profits take money away from Canning Hunger and other true nonprofits, who use the donations raised to provide millions of meals to families across the country.

“[Illegal solicitors] lead people to believe that it’s their curb when they ask for ‘permission’ to paint it,” Contopulos said. “On city streets, the city owns, maintains and is responsible for that curb. You can’t give permission to paint something you do not own.”

Canning Hunger only pays for its painters and supplies, and uses the rest of the money to benefit local food pantries and organizations. But some “bootleg” curb painting companies, as Contopulos calls them, may donate as little as 30 cents for every $20 payment.

Some painters will call themselves names like California Addressing Service. When the check is filled out to “CAS,” the painter will add an “H” to the end of the name, and cash the check, Contopulos said. Others will request payment in advance, and never show up to finish the job.

All Canning Hunger volunteers and contractors will wear a Canning Hunger T-shirt, carry a photo ID, have a copy of the city permit and offer a donation receipt, Contopulos said. If non-authorized curb painters are seen, or solicit residents, Contopulos said residents should call the city or police department, and report them.

Local residents will be given a notice in the coming weeks to inform them that Canning Hunger will be in their neighborhoods.

After the organization paints the street address, it will request a donation from the residents. If they are not home, an envelope will be left behind, but no payment is required.

A visible curb number can aid emergency vehicles, package deliverers and visitors, Contopulos said. Contopulos urged residents who find incorrect addresses on their curb to call (888) 354-FOOD (3663). A correction is typically made within 24 to 48 hours, he said.

Canning Hunger is the only such nonprofit to receive a permit to perform the service locally, and does so entirely out-of-pocket. It has operated in 50 cities over the past 15 years, and has been recognized by companies like Disney and Boeing Co.

For every dollar donated, Canning Hunger provides $203 worth of goods and services, Contopulos said. This is performed through its Neighborhood Connections program, in which thousands of volunteers around the country collect non-perishable food items from their neighbors and distributed through a local agency; the Box of Love program, which gives food to needy families during the holidays; and the Home Team volunteers, which help people with job training and work reentry.

“We wouldn’t be doing this for 15 years if it didn’t work,” Contopulos said.

For more information, visit canninghunger.org.

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].