Got Four Bits to Spare?

Normally I would say that anyone who steals another blogger's idea is a plagiarizing rat. However, today, I am going to do just that, and I'll need your help.

Chris over at Rude Cactus had an idea that made my heart sing, and I'm hereby appropriating it. He said it was OK, honest.

The economy sucks and I'm feeling the pinch, but I am still most definitely one of the "haves"—and damn grateful for that. The kinds of things I'm cutting back on are restaurant dinners, vacations, and name-brand apparel. Other people are trying to decide whether to pay the rent or buy the medicine this week. There are people without jobs, without homes, without health care, without food, and without hope. Right here, in my community and in yours.

As you are no doubt aware, all the local food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens are facing a double whammy this year: Fewer donations, because the economy is so bad and people are understandably a little less free with their charitable dollars than before; and greater demand, because so many people who were already hanging on by a thread last year are now cut loose and have nowhere else to turn.

You might remember last year that I had joined a national relief organization and pledged to donate a box of groceries each month. I recently completed my year of involvement with them and have decided to focus my resources closer to home. I figure that the few extra dollars it cost to ship the food to another state could instead be used to purchase even more food for someone local. Just my frugal nature shining through!

Now here's where you come in. For each person who leaves a comment on this blog post in the next 24 hours, I will donate 50¢ to the Women's Lunch Place.* I don't expect I will suddenly get hundreds of comments (although wouldn't that be something!), but there is a limit on how much I am able to donate. (Not sure yet what that limit is—I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.)

So what are you waiting for? Leave me a comment! Just one per person, please. And feel free to link to this post on your own blog, to mention it on Twitter or Facebook or wherever else you hang out, to tell your friends via email, or however you communicate. Let's see if we can make a difference.

*From the Women's Lunch Place web site:

For over 25 years, the Women's Lunch Place has been a daytime community in Boston for poor and homeless women and their children. We are open six days a week, year-round, to offer food, friendship, and a full spectrum of advocacy and support services to each of our guests.

Their mission and core values are outlined here.

Comments

[Janet]

What a great idea! Good for you for stealing it.

[scott]

I support your endeavor!

[B.O.B.(bob)]

Great idea!

Interestingly I saw or read somewhere that food pantry donations are up this year (need is still up more though) probably because people are feeling exactly as you do. They are still reasonably comfortable and can afford to help those in need.

That being said I'll pledge to make a big donation to the Stow Food Pantry.

[Mark]

Very cool.

[Lisa]

Hadn't heard of it--count me in.

[pam]

Good for you! I try and give locally at Xmastime as well.

[LF]

OK Karen, you got me..how could I refuse this one....the inaugural post...

[Jeananne]

I love the idea and thank you for taking the chance.

[debbie]

Bravo to you! Can't wait to see how much you donate.

[Mir]

Awesome! :)

[Wendy]

Good reminder that I need to make my annual donation to my local food bank. Props to you!

[steve]

I'm in.

[Liz]

Thank you Karen - what a great idea! I read very few blogs but I am addicted to yours. I'm still chuckling about not letting your kids cook with you. I'm thinking I should take some sort of ritalin drug - I don't seem to accomplish anything complared to you!

[Elena]

Great idea! I'm planning to give to the Salvation Army every time I see one of their volunteers (usually every time I go food shopping).

[Liz]

Great idea! Merry Christmas!

[Leslie]

Fine. But I still think you owe them $1.00 for this comment and my Facebook comment.

Great idea and great organization!

[Lauren]

Thanks for doing this. I feel the same way about my situation and organized a food drive. I have been so amazed by the genoristy of my friends and family. This is a wonderful way to live in this world.

[Sue Hardy]

Way to go, Karen! What a great organization to donate to. You have inspired me to find one that works for us (in addition to the animal shelter Thomas has selected). Have a wonderful holiday season!!
Sue

[Tonya]

What a great thing to do (and to get lots of comments!) A bunch of us at work have "adopted" a family in need and we're providing them all with gifts and a Christmas dinner. Feels good.

[Naomi]

Rock on, dude! Great idea! Thanks for your generosity!

[Susan]

Great idea!

[Dana]

Great Idea! Especially great for the Women's Lunch Place, where I have donated and offered to volunteer.

Thanks for stealing

[Lindsay]

Comment! A worthy cause, and a worthy blog post.

[Risottogirl]

You rock, Karen!
I was able to increase my annual donation to WLP and to Greater Boston Food Bank at least a little bit this year. Tight as things are this year with M. unemployed, we are still indisputably among the "haves".

[Katy]

Glad you are supporting this! Thanks!

[amy]

I'm commenting! Also, I'd like to add to your challenge by offering to MATCH your final donation amount--so commenters, comment away!

amy

[Nancy]

Brava, Karen! I'd steal the idea myself if I could count on this many commenters! (For some reason, people are more interested in reading about family life than about branding and naming. Go figure.)

[Sandy]

Thanks for reminding us, amidst the busy-ness and our own economizing, what we really need to be doing this holiday season.

[terrilynn]

What a great idea!

[beastmomma]

What a wonderful idea.

[karen]

You rock, Karen!

[Maura]

Great idea Karen, it's going to be a long cold winter for so many people.

best wishes, Maura X

[califmom]

Best stolen idea ever! Kudos to you for walking the talk.

[Jenny]

It is a great cause. I volunteered there making lunch for years and now send my mother and mother-in-law their 'donation in your name' Mother's Day cards every year. Their Mother's Day lunch for the ladies is a really beautiful thing.

You are, as you know, a clever girl!

[Linda]

Came over from Her Bad Mother. What a joyous person you are!

[Lisa]

This is a great idea!

[Michael Calienes]

Can you see me now? Thanks!

[Kerri]

Wonderful idea!

[Deborah]

Good for you Karen! What an awesome way to find some of your "lurkers" too. :)

[Kelly]

Great idea.

[Swiss Jo]

You finally got me to de-lurk!

[nina]

I'm totally going to cheat and leave comments as other people!

[MVPearson]

Thank you so much!

[sharon]

Great idea Karen. A wonderful cause.

[Nancy]

Nice idea. Glad to help :-)

[Lynn]

Great idea!

[jo]

I'm on board....

[Chris]

Hey there! Count me in!!

[Di]

The Facebook URL didn't work...not sure why. Anyway...it's a good thing you posted because I'm way behind on my blog reading. I hope I didn't miss the deadline!

[Jon]

What a nice thing to do!You have inspired and reminded us all to give as well.Seasons Greetings!