Have you thought about dressing up like you were going to work, heading downtown to where the mass transit picks up all the workers and hold up a big posterboard with
WILL CODE VB FOR CASH along with a list of the languages you know. It would take a lot of intestinal fortitude, but you have that. It also garners attention, you need that to stand out from the fellow out of work IT folks. Do it for a couple of days, take some business cards with you to hand out(print them on your printer) and good luck. In West Palm the business district isnt concentrated like St Louis or I would try it here.
thanx,
bill