The Face Of Giving

We have been undergoing challenging economic times with many heart-breaking stories of families losing their jobs, their homes, their hope. But despite all these difficulties, Gathering Change, Inc., a non-profit group that collects spare change and gives it right back into the communities it is collected in, has found that many people are still giving, volunteering, and working together as a community to help their neighbors. “It has been our experience that there is a long list of unsung heroes that have shown so much generosity with their time, effort and yes, their spare change, that we feel it important to recognize them for their efforts. They are not just helping out, they are grateful to be able to give,” says Marianne Snow, Vice President of Gathering Change, Inc. “What we have seen is individuals giving whatever they can, adults leading children in helping ways and groups working as a team with a deep spirit of cooperation, care and charity that you would not expect at this difficult economic time.”

And what does the face of giving look like? It’s a 14 yr old girl who decides she doesn’t need anything for her birthday so she invites her friends to a birthday party and asks them to bring their spare change rather than a gift. It’s a middle school community that sponsors a food drive for a full month and collects so much food that a truck is needed to bring it to the food pantry. It’s the volunteers at the food pantries working tirelessly and without recognition every week to provide food for those who never thought they would be in the position they are in. It’s adults helping their brownie troop, girl scout troop, daisy troop, day care center, classroom and families to create containers to fill with extra change that they can donate. It’s a retired man who decides to donate the jar of change that he has saved his entire adult life. It’s a school that puts a donation jar in its cafeteria and collects several hundred dollars. It’s the many principles, teachers, PTO’s, media centers all coming together to hold Gathering Change events. It’s the mom who invites her friends over for a cheese and cracker evening and requests that they bring their spare change. It’s the teacher who asks kids to bring in their change and then uses it to teach a math lesson on how much their change could buy.

“Our list is endless at a time when money is scarce.” says Dorothy Goodwin, President of Gathering Change, Inc. “We are in awe at the concern and care that so many have shown even when things are challenging for them. It may not seem like large amounts, but putting it all together, it adds up to lots of help for many people. Neighbors are giving to neighbors, people are bringing hope to other people. Isn’t that just what we need at this time?”

Because of people’s generosity, Gathering Change, Inc. has been able to give checks and vouchers to the food pantries in participating towns. “We feel humbled by the deep sense of giving that both the people making donations and the workers at the food pantry are exhibiting,” adds Mary Taggart, Donation Coordinator. “The sense of hope is continually renewed with each phone call we receive that tells us there is another person or group who has rallied to help their community. We see hope around every corner as people share whatever they can.”

If you are interested in helping Gathering Change, Inc. or learning more about our organization, check out our website, www.gatheringchangeinc.org or contact us at 617-548-5357.

By Marianne Snow