Charlie Olson Posted December 12, 2009 Report Posted December 12, 2009 Hi All, just before Thanksgiving, here in AZ, I heard that there was a real need for Thanksgiving dinners in this area due to the state's high unemployment rate. I also learned about the United Food Bank Organization, which has chapters in all states, and their ability to purchase large quantities of food at bulk rates. Because of their nationally pooled money, for every $1 (one dollar) contributed, they can provide five complete healthy meals; that is twenty cents per meal. I was able to procure 140 pounds of frozen Turkeys from managers of a Fry's and Safeway grocery store for 29 cents per pound in time for Thanksgiving, which I donated to the Mesa Arizona United Food Bank. Here is my challenge/offer to all Plymouth people; if you will donate thirty dollars, or more, to the Mesa Arizona United Food Bank; I shall purchase and request that Neil send to you directly a reproduction Plymouth Builds Great Cars key chain, purchased from Neil Riddle in Washington. He sells them for around five dollars. The money I collect will be added to the national pool of money. The way I figure it is if I can get people to donate thirty dollars, or more, to do something worthwhile and honor them with a five dollar gift; my five dollars will have gone a lot further to feed people. If you aren't able or interested in the thirty dollar donation and nostalgic Plymouth key chain, any amount you may want to contribute to the Mesa Arizona Food Bank, or any United Food Bank chapter, would be appreciated. Remember thirty dollars buys one hundred fifty complete meals. The deadline for anyone to respond to my personal offer is December 23rd, so I can deliver the checks/money orders to the Mesa United Food Bank before Christmas. Shoot me an email and I shall send you my mailing address to send your check/money order, made out to the Mesa United Food Bank. You can Google search the United Food Bank of Mesa Arizona, if you want more info about the organization. You can also donate directly to your local chapter of the United Food Bank. I purchased one of Neil Riddle's Plymouth Builds Great Cars key rings and thought it would make a nice thank you gift for generous donations to the United Food Bank. Merry Christmas and thank you in advance for your generosity, Charlie Olson, driving PLYWOOD in Arizona I am also not interested in hearing any negative comments, if you get my drift. This is about giving to our fellow man. Quote
bobjob55 Posted December 12, 2009 Report Posted December 12, 2009 sounds like a great idea.... i would give to mesa food bank,,, but i have been unemployed for 2 years now...i am still giving to local food banks way out here in florence az... good luck,, and god bless for thinking of the less fortunate ..... it's good to see that some people cares.. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted December 12, 2009 Report Posted December 12, 2009 Charley, that's a great offer. I already have one of Niel's key chains though. But.........even if people don't donate to that particular charity, most could donate at least one can of can goods at their grocery store. Just drop it into the barrel as you leave the store. My wife does that when she goes to the store. In addition, we just sent a check to the local rescue mission to help pay for Christmas dinner that they provide for the homeless. Next Wednesday we get together with my brother in law and his wife to go grocery shopping. Not for our self, but to donate to the local food bank. We load up our car and his van with can goods and dry goods from the grocery, then drop it off the next day. We have been doing that each December for over 20 years now. In addition to the above, the wife always pulls something off the giving tree each Christmas at church. That has little tags on it where a needy child or adult has ask for something. Most of the time, we would pull one from a child that wanted some toy. But........this year the wife pulled one off asking for a gift card from the grocery store. So........that's what we donated for that last Sunday. Then of course, there is always the bell ringer with their kettle from the Salvation Army. We always drop something into to those too when we go by one. So........there are many ways to give. And, you don't have to give much. Just about everyone can afford to drop a little change in the kettle, or a can of vegetables in a drum at the store. Now, if you really can't afford that, you can afford a little donation of your time. Wife and sister in law usually volunteers to wrap or sort toys through the Salvation Army each year, that are given away to the needy. That doesn't cost anything. In fact, they also serve a free lunch to the volunteers that are doing the wrapping and sorting. In the end, the biggest reward for doing anything like this is the satisfaction though of helping though. No, none of us are members of the Salvation Army. You don't need to be to volunteer for some things. Quote
greg g Posted December 12, 2009 Report Posted December 12, 2009 There are worthy charities of the same sort all over the country. Our choice during the holidays is Toys for Tots, and a fellow who collects,rebuilds and distributes bicycles to folks who need them. So I will do what I can close to home, and wish that your choice meets with success i their endeavor. Quote
Don Coatney Posted December 13, 2009 Report Posted December 13, 2009 Close to home is best in my opinion. Quote
JoelOkie Posted December 13, 2009 Report Posted December 13, 2009 Don has pretty much hit the nail on the head for us also, as we have plenty that need our help here, but I do appreciate and admire what you are doing. Our church does food baskets, and provides bedding, coats, shoes, ect., and also toys and books and games in households that have children. Our local Walmart does the angel tree thing where the dis-advantaged, and people that are just having a hard time right now fill out cards with no names, but ages, sexes and sizes for shoes and clothing, and a toy or two they would like to have, and they hang the cards on a Cristmas tree then people take a card and buy the items, then put the package under the tree, and the store gets the right package to the right person. My daughter-in-law is the manager of the store, and she says the cards aren't being taken off the tree nearly as fast as in years past. Hopefully folks will be able to kick in the next two weeks. My wife and girls have been getting a few cards off the tree and buying for some of them when they go in shopping for other things, and they and some of their friends are planning to go in on the last day or two and picking up all the cards that are remaining for the youngest children at the very least. Joel Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted December 13, 2009 Report Posted December 13, 2009 Joel's Walmart story brought back memories. Would just like to share part of those memories with everyone. It's was a real eye opener for me at the time. Years ago, my first wife worked for JC Penny's. They also had a giving tree like I mentioned at our church, and one like Joel mentioned. But........in addition, each year the employee's of JC Penny would go out in groups of four. Usually, husband and wife teams. We would take an artificial tree and gifts to about 3 homes each in area's no one would normally want to go at night. They were all in the poor slum area's of the city. You would not believe how some of these family's with their children live, until you've seen it first hand. I remember going into dumpy homes (apartments) that we wouldn't let our pets live in, much less people or children. Walk down dark dimly lit sidewalks between buildings falling apart. Then climb up the stairs that have no lights in them to see which step is next. Once you get in the kitchen, the only heat is that from the kitchen stove. It's not only cool in the apartment, but it smells of natural gas from the kitchen stove burning with the over door open and all burners going. Then in the dining room, instead of a table, chairs etc., there are just mattresses laying on the floor for the kids to sleep on. No bed, just the mattress without sheets. They maybe had one cover on the mattress to keep warm. Then of course, there is no tree until we put it up. The living room is empty with no TV in most cases. So........when you see those giving trees as Joel and I mentioned, that is usually where your gift to that person/family is going. Someplace like I described above. If it wasn't for those giving trees, etc., these people would have no Christmas presents to open. Not only that, they may be lucky to put a bowl of Campbells tomato soup on the table as Christmas dinner. Just thought I'd share my first hand experience from years ago. It's hard for people like us that are fortunate enough to have a little something to really comprehend just how hard some people have it everyday, until you've actually seen it first hand. So........every little bit one can do to help in someway, especially this time of year, means a lot to people in need. Quote
james curl Posted December 13, 2009 Report Posted December 13, 2009 There was a little town ten miles from where I grew up with a hugh lumber yard. The owner lived up on top of the hill in a hugh house while his workers lived in horrorable conditions in the hollow below his house which was called hungry hollow by all of the locals. My wife worked at the school and noticed that one family with three children when lunch time came two of them had no lunch. Each child got a sandwich in their lunch box every third day. This shcool was full of children who's father worked at the lumber yard. We delivered a couch and a used TV to one family in the hollow and they were living in a converted chicken house, I could not stand up straight inside. I never went into that lumber yard again for anything because I knew how he treated his workers. We have all been truly blessed to be able to live as we do and have our old cars. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted December 13, 2009 Report Posted December 13, 2009 and the added sick twist to this is the fact the poor worker was probably indebted to the employer in some manner and could not leave if he had wanted to..very much like the mining companies, coal towns and company script..no real cash..money was only valid in the company owned store... Quote
Charlie Olson Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Posted December 16, 2009 Hi All, it is very rewarding to read all of these letters about giving to others in this very difficult economy. Yes, whatever you can give, where ever you can give it is a very good thing thing to do. I only suggested the United Food Bank Organization because I learned it is the best direct return on the dollar donated of all charitable organizations; due only to their system of pooling all of their national dollar resources to purchase food at such very low prices. Because I sincerely believe in the United Food Bank approach, my offer of giving any one, who does donate $30 or more, my offer of a Plymouth Builds Great Cars key chain will be good for the entire year, 2010. Best wishes to all and good luck to those who are having hard times. Charlie, driving that PLYWOOD and winning a Top 20 Plaque, 12/13/09, at the Rawhide Rumble Food/Toy Drive Car Show and a Best in Class Trophy (made up of a piston rod and two valves}, 11/14/09, at the Mahnah Club of Mesa Food/Toy Drive Car Show Quote
Charlie Olson Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Posted December 17, 2009 Close to home is best in my opinion. Well, with that narrow view, we might as well get rid of the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and all other national charities. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Whoa Charlie, the two organizations you list above are national for sure but each are supported and have facilities locally..both draw support from ther local communites...I am not sure if anyone can afford to send a couch or piano via mail, UPS or other trucking means to a central point...if this was the case they would have to close their doors...if someone choses not to support your call and does it locally within their comminuty, does not mankind benefit just the same... Quote
Don Coatney Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Well, with that narrow view, we might as well get rid of the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and all other national charities. Charlie; I did notice that the orginazition you are asking forum members to donate to is close to home for you. In my humble opinion any charties that I elect to support are my personal business much the same as religion and politics and should not be discussed on this forum. But that is my opinion and I realise not everyone looks at things the same way. So I say again close to home is best in my opinion. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Charlie;I did notice that the orginazition you are asking forum members to donate to is close to home for you. In my humble opinion any charties that I elect to support are my personal business much the same as religion and politics and should not be discussed on this forum. But that is my opinion and I realise not everyone looks at things the same way. So I say again close to home is best in my opinion. Well.......I agree with Don for most donations, especially when it comes to food donations. I'd much rather take a little time and buy the food myself, then deliver it to a local food bank. By doing it that way, there is no cost involved by the charity, and all of the money went for food, not just part of it. In fact, at most local food banks, they are operated by volunteers that don't get paid because they are usually run by some local church. About the only national charities I will donate to are like MD, Heart and Cancer charities. Even the stuff we give to Goodwill and the Salvation Army stays local. But.........at the same time, there is nothing wrong with the national groups. Like Don mentioned, it's a personal preference. At least someone is going to benefit from it. So.......we should not criticize each other for our choice of which charity we give to. Nor, should we criticize those who feel they just cannot afford to donate to any charity at all. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Norm..slight falacity in your statement on staffed by volunteers...not true, the staff is paid..even prior staff still get retirement benefits..the volunteers do the work and not get paid and in the end the orginazation takes a tax credit for the volunteers donated hours...you can veryify this if you wish... Quote
Young Ed Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Very true Norm. I don't have much $ at the moment so I donate time instead. I boxed with 3 other people 141 christmas meals last week and tomorrow I will spend 3 hours sorting toys with toys for tots. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 Norm..slight falacity in your statement on staffed by volunteers...not true, the staff is paid..even prior staff still get retirement benefits..the volunteers do the work and not get paid and in the end the orginazation takes a tax credit for the volunteers donated hours...you can veryify this if you wish... Tim, The food banks I mentioned that we donate to locally are operated by non paid volunteers. They are operated by the church. The church members volunteer their time to work at the food bank. Now, I suppose some other groups may be paid, but not the ones I mentioned. That said, a lot of the bell ringers for the Salvation Army are non paid volunteers. We use to have a guy who worked for us that was a member of the Salvation Army church. He use to ring bells with the kettle every year and not get paid. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 Norm..I said volunteers are not paid..so on that we are agreeing ..but do not think for one second that the orginazation, regardless of who what and where does not have paid salaries..some run as high as 40% or more to overhead, salaries and other perks etc. We have within the federal government a window in which we donate by payroll deduction to charties..it is called the Confined Federal Campaign...you can donate as you wish, in the amounts you wish and select only the charities you wish to donate(yeah..believe that if you will as it is a formula and you are only grouped where you asked..they are insure a cut) anyway...the phamphlet that is distributed for you to select from has the overhead of every orginazation..as I said, some exceed 40% of their intake to overhead..some of the salaries are like CEO's of high profile companies...plus look at the deductions on cost and other things..perks up the yazoo..uniforms to the salaried ones, cars, travel, parties (they call them conferences)...list goes on and on..so like you and Don and many others, the local units, mostly overseen by churches etc do indeed return the best for either time or money as you see fit or willing to give..this is not a rant, I just enrolled into an apprenticeship with the master Grinch. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 Yes Tim, even the church pays the minister/priest, plus the office workers. But........we are sure ALL of the money we spend on food donations are used for food. That's because we do not donate the actual cash. We buy the food, then donate/deliver it our self. Quote
RobertKB Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 Guys, this thread started with the best of intentions whether we agree or not. It has since become argumentative in a couple of places. Let's all just do our own thing charity wise and leave it at that. To quote Dickens from A Christmas Carol....."And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!" Quote
Don Coatney Posted December 19, 2009 Report Posted December 19, 2009 God bless Us, Every One!" The grinch says that is just another thing we should not be discussing. Quote
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