White ink on heather forest or black. Instagram: @sachistraus Website: sachistraus.com
: Turning Passion into Purpose A Project That Benefits StreetWise Through the
The Beginnings
In 2015, Scott Marvel received a simple question from a reporter: “What is your company doing for the holidays?” The question sparked something bigger than a seasonal donation. As the President of Daily Planet Productions – a Chicago-based creative studio – Scott began thinking about how to merge his passion for screen-printing with his drive to make a difference.
That same year, he founded Giveashi*t – a one-of-a-kind fundraiser that uses artist-designed T-shirts to raise money for those experiencing homelessness. His idea was simple but powerful: make great shirts and give 100% of the profits to StreetWise, the Chicago institution dedicated to helping people facing poverty and housing insecurity.
Scott reached out to his network of local artists, asking them to contribute unique, meaningful designs. He then hand-screened the shirts himself –in his basement – and started selling them at live events and eventually online at www.giveashirt.net.
It wasn’t just a campaign. It was a commitment to giving a sh*t.
Making a Real Difference
Since its founding, Giveashi*t has raised more than $600,000 to support the work of StreetWise– funding magazine production, vendor support, and services for those experiencing homelessness and poverty.
But even more than that, it’s created a community – a movement of people who care, who create, and who act.
So the next time you put on a Giveashi*t shirt, know this: it’s more than just fabric and ink. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when people decide to use what they have to help others. It’s a reminder that when we give a sh*t, we can change lives.
Power of Art, T-Shirts, and
Meet the Man Behind the Scenes – Scott Marvel
Every shirt begins with Scott. His typical day starts at 5 a.m. – downstairs in the print shop (a.k.a. his basement) – pulling ink across screens and bringing each design to life before heading to his fulltime job at Daily Planet Productions. After a full workday, he’s right back in the basement, continuing the process late into the evening.
This isn’t a job for Scott. It’s a mission.
Want a peek behind the curtain? Watch the behind-the-scenes video: "How the Shirts Are Made"
https://youtu.be/VKosb2OxQ0M
SCOTT MARVEL SETTING UP A PRINTING PRESS AT THE FIRST GIVEASHI*T POP-UP IN 2015
Purpose and Giving Back
“My philosophy is to use what you have –resources, talents, relationships – to change what’s unpleasant, correct what’s unfair, help those who are struggling around you.”
– Scott Marvel, President of Daily Planet Productions and founder
of Giveashi*t
The Sales Guru – Jeannine Ringland-Zwirn
Jeannine is the powerhouse behind Giveashi*t’s live sales events and online operations. In 2024 alone, she coordinated 15 events across Chicago – from street fairs to holiday markets – involving hundreds of hours organizing, setting up, and selling. Each event involves selecting and displaying the right shirt combinations, managing inventory, applying for event spots, and working with volunteers to make it all run smoothly.
Before each new collection launches, Jeannine contacts artists, manages submissions, helps determine ink and shirt color combinations, and oversees the online store at www.giveashirt.net. Her creativity and hustle keep the project growing and glowing.
The Logistics Queen – Pam Hoffman
Pam is the quiet hero making sure every Giveashi*t shirt ends up in the right hands. Volunteering in Scott’s basement print shop, Pam helps with everything from ordering supplies to tagging each shirt by size using a colorcoded system to make sales easier. She personally fulfills online orders, writes heartfelt thank-you notes, and ships (or even hand-delivers) each package with care.
Her attention to detail and dedication ensures that every person who supports Giveashi*t feels seen, valued, and connected to the mission.
PAM HOFFMAN WITH STREETWISE VENDOR A. ALLEN
JEANNINE RINGLAND ZWIRN SELLING WITH POPUP VOLUNTEERS JACQUELINE & JAY QUINN
tee or athletic heather crewneck sweatshirt.
BOUND BY GRACE by RON
Gold ink on heather grass green or heather true royal.
White ink on black. Instagram: @amandajonezzzz
NO KINGS by AMANDA JONES
PEACE GOOSE by GOOSENEK
Black ink heather marmalade.
Instagram: @g00senek
Modeled by StreetWise vendor Kianna
PET EVERY DOG by STEVE WALTERS & TONY FITZPATRICK
Blue ink on soft blue or soft pink. Instagram: Steve: @Skroobawl
LINNEMANN
EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE by SAMANTHA CONRAD
Purple ink on lavender dust. Website: samanthaconrad.com
GOOD DAY CHICAGO by NATALIE BOMKE
Yellow ink on navy blue.
UNBREAKABLE TOGETHER by SCOT WESTWATER
Black ink on silver. Instagram: @swestwater
MALORT by TIM SOUERS
Black ink on athletic heather grey. Instagram: @tim_cubby_blue
SING A SONG WITH ME by DAVE FORTNEY
White ink on black or heather forest green. Black crewneck sweatshirt also available ($40)
I WANNA BE YOUR DOG by RICK CONRAD
Black ink on heather grey or heather prism lilac. Instagram: @rickconrad
CURRENT MOOD by TRAVIS LAMPE
Black ink on vintage white.
Instagram: @travislampe
WEEE! by GREGORY JACOBSEN
Yellow ink on black. Instagram: @gregory_jacobsen
I'LL BE THERE IN 20 by SARAH
JINDRA
Black ink on white or athletic heather crewneck sweatshirt.
Instagram: @sarah_jindra
DRAGONS
by SARA KOPKE
Blue ink on navy Instagram: @radioflyeroo Website: sarakopke.com
LET'S GO by SCOTT
MARVEL
Black ink on heather green, athletic grey, or youth light green. Also available in athletic grey or leaf green sweatshirt ($40).
Instagram: @teetsy
ink on soft
HAPPY HAPPY by SCOTT
MARVEL
Blue ink on heather prism mint or heather prism lilac. Instagram: @teetsy
DEEP DISH SASHA by JI SUK YI
Black
pink.
LOVE IS ENOUGH by JEANNINE RINGLAND ZWIRN
Blue ink on storm. Instagram: @jrzclay
A Big Shoutout to Our Giveashi*t Pop-Up Volunteers
Each year, Giveashi*t T-shirts hit the streets at more than a dozen live events across Chicago – from summer festivals to holiday markets –between May and December. That’s a whole lot of festivals, foot traffic, and friendly faces! And none of it would be possible without our amazing pop-up volunteers. They sign up for shifts, bring their energy, learn the pitch, engage with customers, and help us close the deal. Rain or shine, they are out there helping us raise funds for StreetWise, one shirt at a time.
Their time, effort, and heart are the backbone of these events. Whether it’s setting up the tent (huge shout out to Howard Zwirn!), sharing the story behind the shirts, or just flashing a smile that draws people in — they make this possible.
From all of us at Giveashi*t and StreetWise: Thank you. We truly couldn’t do this without you.
Andrea Behringer
Jack Boardman
Noah Boardman
Laura Cooper
Bruce Crane
Dave Curran
Dave Fortney
Julia Glaser
Laura Glaser
Madeline Glaser
Elita Huzinec
Stephanie Itkonen
Susan Lauder
Luke Lauder
Taylor Lauder
Aimee LeBlanc
Audrey Marx
Jill O’Donovan
Jacqueline Quinn
Jay Quinn
Emily Rasmussen
Amy Stewart
Dan Stewart
Emerson Stewart
Spencer Stewart
Ben Swartz
Meredith Swartz
Melissa Thornley
Stephen Tramontana
Emily Walker
Ellie Youngquist
Mark Youngquist
Howard Zwirn
Meredith Zwirn
Rachel Zwirn
Nathan Youngquist
GUS by WON KIM
Teal ink on heather sunset.
WINS
DANA HORTICK
Gold ink on maroon.. Instagram: @ottonate Website: nateotto.com
BOX OF RAIN by KATHLEEN HINKEL
White ink on ocean blue. Instagram: @kathleenhinkel WE
JONES
Blue ink on leaf green.
COFFEE RUN by MIKI STRAUS
Black ink on lavender dust or blue storm. Instagram: @windupthing I CAN by BETSY GRIMM Blue ink on purple
AMANDA JONES
THIS TOWN by NATE OTTO
LET'S BRING CAPES BACK by JEFF TWEEDY
White Ink on black. Black crewneck sweatshirt also available ($40)
Instagram: @jefftweedy
MORE BY JEFF
TWEEDY
HAPPY FRAMEWORK by BRIAN STEVENS
Black Ink on white. Instagram: @briancstevens Website: briancstevens.com
BENEFITS OF STRENGTH AND RESISTANCE TRAINING by JEANNINE RINGLAND-ZWIRN
White Ink on black.
EVERTHING IS CONNECTED by DAG JUHLIN
YES, AND. by BRUNO PIERONI
or white. Instagram: @brunopieroni
MYSTERIOUS MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY: ILLINOIS CRYPTIDS by HEATHER BARNES & SHAWN WILLIAMS
Ink on tan.
BE KIND BUT FIRM by ALAN SPINDLE & OLIVIA SPINDLE
Black Ink on heather gold.
Red Ink on heather blue.
Brown
Black Ink on heather columbia blue
FOREVER by JON
LANGFORD
White ink on black.
Instagram: @jonlangfordoffical
Thank You to Our Incredible Artists
At the heart of every Giveashi*t T-shirt is a powerful design — and behind each design is an artist who gave their time, talent, and creativity to help support our mission to empower homeless individuals to work by offering a hand up.
Each year, a growing community of artists donates original artwork that engages, inspires, and connects with customers. Their designs spark conversations, turn heads, and most importantly, drive real change by helping raise funds for StreetWise.
Some artists return year after year, becoming part of a creative circle that truly gives a sh*t — and we couldn’t be more grateful for their dedication and passion.
Whether it's bold, witty, moving, or just plain cool, every design makes a difference. Thank you for helping us turn T-shirts into tools for good.
Nate Azark
Heather Barnes
+ Shawn Williams
Natalie Bomke
Rick Conrad
Sam Conrad
Stella Conrad
Julio Desir
Dr. Don
David Fortney
Goosenek
Betsy Grimm
Kara Hamilton
Kathleen Hinkel
Matthew Hoffman
Dana Hortick
Cody Hudson
Gregory Jacobsen
Sarah Jindra
Amanda Jones
Dag Juhlin
Won Kim
Sara Kopke
Betsy Ming-Lai Lam
Travis Lampe
Jon Langford
Ron Linnemann
Scott Marvel
Nate Otto
Bruno Pieroni
Scott Rasmussen
Jay Ryan
Shawn Smith
Tim Souers
Alan Spindle
+ Olivia Spindle
Brian Stevens
Dave Straus
Miki Straus
Sachi Straus
Lauren Tarbox
Jeff Tweedy
Steve Walters
Scot Westwater
Ji Suk Yi
Jeannine Ringland-Zwirn
StreetWise provides Chicagoans in need with “a hand up, not a handout.”
StreetWise creates employment opportunities for individuals who are homeless or experiencing poverty. Anyone who wants to work has the opportunity to move themselves out of crisis.
How it all began...
It’s hard to believe that almost 33 years ago on Aug. 24 , 1992, the first edition of StreetWise hit the streets of Chicago. Our founder, Judd Lofchie, developed a practical solution to the crisis of homelessness in Chicago. The idea was simple: give homeless men and women a chance to gain economic self-sufficiency, personal dignity, and to help themselves by selling a newspaper to earn an income rather than begging. More than 350 homeless men and women purchased and sold more than 60,000 issues of StreetWise within the first 5 weeks! Selling StreetWise is a job. Our vendors are self-employed entrepreneurs.
Our success is due to the commitment, dedication, and persistence of our StreetWise vendors. They go out each day to greet you –their loyal customers. It is because of your support that our vendors can pay rent, utilities, purchase food and clothing, and even save some money.
STREETWISE M AGAZINE
StreetWise magazine is an award-winning publication that is socially conscious and Chicago-centric. It raises awareness of the impact of poverty and homelessness in Chicago, across the nation, and around the world. StreetWise is among the largest “street papers” in the United States and serves as a model for street papers across North America. The editorial staff works hard to provide intriguing articles about today’s important issues as well as entertaining articles to enhance the reader’s daily life.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Meeting basic needs by providing meals, distributing emergency clothing, and hygiene kits. Staff is on hand to assist with accessing community resources and benefits, providing emergency support and referrals for housing, healthcare and legal assistance.
StreetWise is powered by the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
STREETWISE IS EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO WORK!
about THE DAILY PLANET, LTD.
The Daily Planet, Ltd. is a full service video production company headquartered in Chicago with of fices in Los Angeles and Washington DC/Baltimore. Daily Planet can concept, shoot, edit and animate; clients include businesses, nonprofi ts and advertising agencies.
Daily Planet has won multiple Midwest Emmys and Tellys.
Black ink on heather prism blue
heather purple.
LOGO PULLOVER CREW SWEATSHIRT
LOGO TEE
GIVEASHI*T & VOTE
LOGO MUG
WINTER HAT