Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need

Greetings!

For those who don't know, every December, Jen an I host a huge bowling event to raise toys for kids in need. Here's how it (usually) works: we pay the bill for an exciting fun-filled night of bowling, and ask our patrons to go crazy buying toys for local children of families in need. This would have been be our 20th year of this effort. Over the past 19 years, our efforts have donated over 5000 toys.

However, the pandemic has put a pause to the normal bowling event and toy drive. In it's place this year, we've decided to fund raise with a focus on feeding the hungry. We'll get back to bowling next year.

If you're like us, the pandemic has NOT caused a financial crisis in your household. You're not making a crippling choice between rent, medical care, and feeding your family. We're humbled and grateful that the pandemic has not yet had any household financial consequences for us. Simultaneously, thousands of Rhode Islanders are going hungry while food banks are stretched thin.

This year we're asking our YHES patrons to help feed the hungry though Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need (RICAN). I donate food here regularly, have spoken to the director Scott at length about their operation, and have confidence that it is a well-run organization with dedicated staff - despite their George Castania-eque "Human Fund - People helping People" name.

So, in the spirit of you having enough stuff, let's help feed our neighbors this year.

If you're "financially-unaffected" by the pandemic like, please consider digging deep.

We have gotten the ball rolling with a $500 donation on our GoFundMe page.

Here are the ground rules:

(1) For every donation of matching/exceeding our $500 donation, we'll donate an additional $100.
(2) For every donation of $50 or more, we'll send one of our brand new YHES buttons and a genuine YHES certificate to show off to your friends and family.
(3) For families dealing with financial burdens from COVID, donate an anonymous $1 to signal you support our effort and we'll pitch in an additional $25.

Our campaign ends Dec 12th - THAT'S SOON! PLEASE DONATE NOW!

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Here's how you can contribute:

(1) Donate to our GoFundMe. This site is tied directly to RICAN, a 501(c)(3) organization. All funds will go directly to them.
(2) Donate food to RICAN through us - we'll pick it up! On Saturday, December 12th, we'll be traversing the state collecting food for the food drive. Clean out your pantry and buy some non-perishables to have ready for us. We will be socially distanced and scheduled, so please reach out and let us know where we should expect the pickup to be. Please let us know by Wednesday, December 9th.
(3) If you miss our pickup, or our campaign has passed, please donate either to RICAN directly, or your local food bank.
(4) Perhaps most importantly, share this effort with others and point them to our link. We do not advertise, so sharing the info with others is our only path to success!

https://www.rhodeislandcan.org/about-us