Jan. 2014 Community Service

[phoenixrose]

Hey guys, we are due for another community service project in January, so I'd like some ideas for what we could do. There was some mail at the Grove from Habitat for Humanity, so that is one idea we could look into, but if anyone else has some ideas, post them soon.

[lfe61]

As a suggestion, Charity Navigator can be used to seek local area charities (as well as take a look at how much of what's donated goes for charitable purposes vs. overhead/fundraising/paychecks, etc.  http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Just a quickie glance keywording Baltimore, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake does rate really well: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8608#.Uq8Ex-IUaeY

Other ideas grazed from here that also rate high: the Maryland Food Bank.  http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4050#.Uq8E4eIUaeY   

I rather like the idea of helping to replenish the Food Bank in the post holiday season when provisions are likely to be sparse and most people have turned their attentions to other things.

Blue Water Baltimore gets a good rating (although may be more of a warm weather community service project!  http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=13804#.Uq8FZuIUaeZ


Marian House http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5420#.Uq8E2-IUaeY - it rates pretty well.  Their website says they are "Marian House is a holistic, healing community for women and their children who are in need of housing and support services. We provide a safe, sober, and loving environment that challenges women to respect and love themselves, confront emotional and socioeconomic issues, and transition to stable and independent lives."  http://www.marianhouse.org/ 

[phoenixrose]

Thank you so much for all your research! I agree. Habitat for Humanity and Blue Water Baltimore are both great ideas for community service, but maybe not in January.  Marion House might be a good idea for a cash fundraiser. I like the Food Bank idea because, yes, their stocks dwindle quickly after the holidays, but I'm not sure if a food drive can be considered community service or if it is still a fundraiser. Knowers of these things, help?

[Crystal]

I'm game for a food bank.

[Keyye]

Is this for Imbolc? Do we want to ask people to bring canned goods to the HR for donation to the food bank? Most of the food drives happen only in Nov/Dec, it may be nice for them to get food supplies at other times of the year as well.

[phoenixrose]

yes, if a food drive can count for community service, then I'm all for a HR food drive

[lfe61]

Collecting food and a time commitment would be possible, if we need to give of energy in order to fill ADF requirements:  http://www.mdfoodbank.org/site/c.mgLPIYOzGlF/b.5551749/k.8C83/DONATE_TIME.htm

[lindowyn]

We've done food drives many times in the past, and the last time we did one we were basically told that it was easier for them if we just donate money or buy food online for them to go buy/be sent the food they need. I thought it was a bit like looking a gift horse in the mouth, but apparently it's easier for them.

See here: http://www.mdfoodbank.org/site/c.mgLPIYOzGlF/b.5551751/k.8A63/DONATE_FOOD.htm

They're really trying to lure people away from handing them cans. There is still a way to do that, but I know it's being actively discouraged.

[phoenixrose]

So, do a virtual food drive or do something else entirely? A virtual food drive is definitely more fundraiser-ish vs. community service-ish, but January is a hard time for physical things (especially when it looks like we're going to have a snowy winter), so I am stuck.  They have volunteer times on the link that Lynda posted but it's during the weekday which many people can't do.

[dragonfaerie]

They're really trying to lure people away from handing them cans. There is still a way to do that, but I know it's being actively discouraged.

 

The Howard County food bank apparently doesn't care, because my community band has done a food drive in partnership with them for the last couple December concerts. What about donating food/supplies to one of the local animal shelters instead?

[lindowyn]

Raising funds for a charity still counts as community service. And yeah, I have no idea what's up with the local foodbank. :/ One would think YAY thanks for the food, but maybe they got too many canned lentils? No idea.

[lfe61]

Supporting an animal shelter would be good!  Same issues apply - post Christmas, charities like this tend to be tapped and donations go way down.  Shelters work to bring critters out of the cold, and that's good and seasonal. (so's baby animals at Imbolc!)

[phoenixrose]

Indeed 

[lindowyn]

I'm a fan of Luna's House.
http://lunashouse.org/

We've raised funds for them before. They may have volunteer opportunities also.

[debbie]

Wolf Sanctuary trip.  We'd support them by visiting, plus it would be an awesome group trip/family trip.  Plus those that wanted could adopt a wolf, thus adding to the giving.  We did this before and helped them out alot.