Billboard mix-up: 'no free lunch' in front of Eugene Mission
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EUGENE, Ore. -- A billboard stating "there's no such thing as a free lunch" was placed just yards from the Eugene Mission, an organization that gives out food, shelter, and social services to homeless people in the area.
Cascade Policy Institute, a non-profit focused on public policy research and education around Oregon, purchased a series of 12 different ads from Lamar Advertising. One of the billboards put up in Eugene features economic guru Milton Friedman's phrase "there's no such thing as a free lunch".
The ad appeared alongside Chambers Street, directly in front of the Eugene Mission.
Sarah Ross, the communications coordinator for Cascade Policy, said that the placement was a coincidence and they never intended for the advertisement to be in that location.
“Cascade Policy Institute contracted with a company that leases billboards to lease 26 billboards across the state. The company chose the locations and randomly placed the 12 different billboards we designed."
Ross added that the billboard was meant to remind voters that the government services that people think of as "free" still need funding.
"Oregonians pay for them through taxes, which is money they no longer have to spend on goods and services they need," Ross said. "Cascade encourages Oregonians to remember this economic concept when they cast their votes by November 6.”
The billboard was put up at the beginning of the week, and Lamar Advertising told KVAL that they expect the billboard to be taken down sometime after the election.
KVAL went to the mission to get their side on the issue, but they were not available for comment.
Well, it's true, there is no free lunch!! Someone pays for the 'free' lunches at the Mission..
@Fennforests And someone pays for the 'free' lunches (and breakfasts) at the schools, as well. "From each according to his ability; to each according to his need". Karl Marx.
 @hewhoo The Mission is completely acceptable private charity. Free lunches at schools certainly are not. We're not a Marxist society.
 @hewhoo Because plenty of people push for Marxism, and we've allowed some of it to seep into our system.
@PleaseBeSmart Really?  Why do I see all these class warfare commercials wanting to take money from 'the rich' to support all the needs of 'the poor'?