Help Mitch Gaslin Avoid Bankruptcy

Many of you know that I worked at Food for Thought Books in Amherst, MA for 27 years before leaving in 2013. When I left there was approximately $40,000 in debt on my personal credit cards from store business, and I had a verbal agreement with the remaining collective members that they would attempt to be responsible for that debt. Incurring this kind of personal debt is a common business practice in many independent bookstores, but unfortunately, despite successfully raising over $40,000 last Fall, Food for Thought closed at the end of May with almost the entire debt remaining on my personal credit cards.

I am now faced with the very real possibility of having to declare personal bankruptcy unless I can raise the funds to retire this credit card debt. Given that I have no savings or retirement, having my credit history wiped out could be devastating. As Food for Thought was always a non-traditional, community supported enterprise, I am hoping that our community, whether students, faculty I used to order textbooks for, or other community members, will now come together and help retire this debt that was incurred as part of my work with the collective.

While I can't offer any of the 'perks' commonly offered on crowdfunding sites, I would be more than happy to thank you effusively! However, should you wish for any reason to donate anonymously, please know that that is an option here as well. Hopefully a combination of donations, both large and small, will do the trick. And I realize that you may not personally have the funds to help, but please share this with friends, colleagues and family who you think might be interested in assisting me. That's how these things work!

Thank you so much in advance for considering a donation to help me avoid personal bankruptcy.

-Mitch