People Eat All Year Long
NYT: Warm Intentions Meet Cold Reality.
What is the sound of one eye rolling? Call Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and tell him you want to engage in that wonderful holiday tradition of volunteering on a soup line in the third week of November.
“Thanksgiving is to hunger groups what Halloween is to a costume company,” he said. “Sometimes people actually get mad at us when they call a day or two before Thanksgiving or a day or two before Christmas and want to volunteer, when in fact many of these agencies have waiting lists months in advance.” Out of fear of alienating anyone, Mr. Berg said, some places just make up work for people to do — even if it gets in the way of more important business.
So though Mr. Berg appreciates the thought, he says the best way to contribute is to lend your specialized abilities, such as legal or computer skills.
This past weekend, a group of us Duke City Civitan members did our monthly gig at Roadrunner Food Bank. We go the third Saturday of every month, and do whatever needs to be done – from sorting canned goods to packing boxes of bread to be sent out all over the state. It saves the food bank from having to hire workers (at least in theory). However, as with Habitat, letting people lend a hand is also a way to get people involved so they’ll become financial supporters. And, yes, there’s something gratifying about getting your hands dirty. (However, Civitan also raises $ for Roadrunner.)
By the time we finished our morning shift, the place was beginning to fill up with a lot of volunteers. Truth be told, there were probably more than Roadrunner needed. (There’s a sign in the lobby that they’re fully booked for volunteers through T’giving.) But, it’s that time of year when folks want to “help feed the hungry.” And, they want to bring their kids so they’ll get a life lesson. Which is all great. But, people eat all year long. (When we work at the food bank in the summer, for example, we’re often the only group there.)
So, before you “drop by” the local food bank or soup kitchen to help – first call. Find out how they could really use help (Writing fundraising materials? Setting up a new database? Grant applications?) And, money is always a good thing. ($1 contributed to Roadrunner enables them to buy $9 worth of food…and nobody has to sort through somebody’s pile of dented pantry rejects.)
Related Post: Martini Musing: All Year Long (More ideas for giving back)
View the Blog Roll