Choosing The Right Path

Next week I have to speak to a group of Juniors and Seniors who are involved in a Community Service Class. A few different organizations will be making presentations and after that they will decide which charities to work with. I heard the class is mostly made up of young men, so I am trying to think of what to open with that will keep their attention and peek their interest. Perhaps they will be impressed with the fact that although we are a young charity we have been able to help 33 communities. They may like that funds raised in their town stay in their town, no salaries come from these collections and what we collect, either food or funds, will make a difference in the lives of their neighbors.

It is at this same school over 36 years ago on their track that I watched a boy I liked throw shot put and discus at a meet. After the meet he and I spoke briefly. I had embarrassed him with my applause from the stands. It seems clapping is not proper etiquitte at such events. All these years later we are still together. Oh, yes, we are older, but I still look at him as my boyfriend, best friend, confidant, and the love of my life. I still see the smile that stole my heart and his sense of humor and intelligence along with our wanting the same things out of life. We both wanted to be parents, we both wanted to give back, we both wanted the other to be happy, we both supported the other when things got rough and we both will continue to be there for one another as we grow older.

So when I look out at the students I will be thinking of the years that have passed, the world that is open to each of them, the path I chose to take and the person I chose to take it with. Just as GCI began with a few friends who chose to walk this path we me, I hope they choose to join us!

Dorothy Goodwin

Healing Necessities

It has recently come to my attention that basic toiletries such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and toilet paper are hard to come by at our food pantries. They are just not donated that often. And it’s also been brought to my attention that Food Stamps cannot be used to purchase these items.

It made me realize that I take some of my basic necessities for granted, while others struggle to find a way to acquire them. I never have to think if there will be deodorant or shampoo never mind soap and toilet paper in my home. I just buy them and they are always there.

What about someone who is struggling to pay for rent and heat. What do they do?

What about the growing numbers of people frequenting the food pantries who find these items are not available. What do they do?

What if someone has Food Stamps and needs shampoo to go on a job interview or simply to feel good about themselves. What do they do?

If someone or some family can’t keep up with acquiring these items, What do they do? Do kids refuse to go to school, to Dads feel like they can’t go to work, do Moms feel ill equipped to leave the house and make outside contacts?

The more I contemplated this issue, the more I saw the huge connection between our physical hygiene and our mental well-being and physical health.

For many it’s heartbreaking to have to go to the food pantry and then to go there without being clean must feel even more demoralizing.

Gathering Change, Inc. is currently writing for a grant to make these items more accessible to those clients that need help at the food pantries. We see a direct link with an individual’s self-esteem and self-worth and their ability to stay clean and cared for. We believe this is not just a necessity but a basic right for all. We feel compelled to help others reclaim their dignity, a dignity that was lost when one does not have the items needed for self care.

Next time you make a donation to your local food pantry, consider giving these items. You won’t believe how how much they will be appreciated. To be able to care for ourselves and our families in this way, allows us to move forward in our lives and to take the next step to making changes that will help us. Let us not forget about these healing necessities.

Marianne Snow

I did not know....

Today I was told about the newest challenge, which affects our children and our schools. The motels in our area (specifically chosen by the State for their location to major highways) are seeing an increase in families who have been displaced due to job losses and home foreclosures. "I did not know" that the food pantries in certain towns are serving more children and are able to keep up, but the schools are not. There are not enough funds to cover additional lunches.

This is news that I could not keep to myself. I am sorry to say it is sad and worrisome, but it is real and happening in our own backyards.

I did not know but now I do and so do you!

Dorothy Goodwin

Ride Along

For the last two weekends my wife Dorothy's non-profit organization Gathering Change Inc., has been wrapping holiday presents at the North Shore Mall in Peabody to raise money for local food pantries. Thanks to the kindness, dedication, and hard work of GCI's Board Members and volunteers as well as the outrageous generosity of holiday shoppers, the "Wrap for Food" weekends were a smashing success. Another critical part to the success of the weekends was the kind help and support GCI received from the North Shore Mall staff. The money raised at the event will be split up between food pantries in Beverly, Danvers, Salem, and Peabody.

Today, Dorothy let me take a ride along with her as she delivered money to St. Joseph's Food Pantry in Salem and Beverly Bootstraps. When we got to our first stop, St Joseph's Food Pantry, we found it to be a hive of activity.

Non-perishable food donations were being stored and stacked in milk crates. These items would later be used to build the sacks of food that waited patiently for folks to come in and take them home.

While Dorothy and VeAnne Campbell Pantry Director chatted about future opportunities to collaborate, I poked around, said "Hi" to folks that were working there and took some snaps. The energy, enthusiasm, and organized action of the place truly impressed me. I mentioned to Dorothy when we got back to the Accord that it looked like they weren't suffering as far as donations went. Dorothy quickly corrected me. She said that when the Pantry is open, the line for bags of food stretches around the corner. They serve around 2000 individuals a month. All the food sacks I had seen set up would be gone in very short order. The daily ongoing need for food is immense.

Our next stop was Beverly Bootstraps. BB is a great organization. Not only do they run a food pantry, they also run a thrift store, provide housing assistance, as well as youth and adult education classes. When we went in the front door, we were greeted by Sue Gabriel, Executive Director. Sue took us on a tour of the pantry area and graciously stopped to pose for a picture with Dorothy.

Sue told us that the need for food went up 35% in 2009. She pointed out to us that while it seemed like they had quite a bit of food on hand right now, that it would be almost gone by the end of January or mid-February.

Sue said that in the dog days of summer, the pantry shelves would likely be bare. She also told us that she is constantly uplifted and grateful for the generosity of folks in Beverly.

A few things struck me as we drove home together. First, I am so proud of Dorothy and all the folks connected with Gathering Change Inc. I think it takes a great deal of bravery to start down this path in our current economic climate. Secondly, the people that are running the food pantries are doing amazing, healing work in this busted up country. Lastly - the need for assistance is mind-bendingly enormous. Much more needs to be done, not only in the way of donations, but employment and housing as well.

One size fits all ...

Looking for the perfect gift?

How about a donation to Gathering Change, Inc. in honor of a special teacher, coach or family member? We also have packages of small greeting cards that are perfect with holiday gifts, as a thank you note, or to send a word of encouragement to a friend in need. In memory cards are always available as well.

E-mail info@gatheringchangeinc.org or visit our website at www.gatheringchangeinc.org to inquire about receiving the cards of your choice. All donations received will go toward assisting local food pantries.





“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then
feed just one.” – Mother Teresa

Donate your coins and make a difference!

2nd Annual Collection Drive
October 17–25, 2009

Gather your friends and your spare change ...

Last year our largest source of donations was received from Gathering Change parties hosted by people who wanted to make a difference in their communities. Thanks to the generosity of those who offered their time and their spare change, these donations have been used to assist over 19 local food pantries to provide for the increasing number of families and individuals that need help making ends meet.

Every donation counts! Did you know ...
that one 16 oz. can filled with spare change
can add up to an average of $20.00? This could
put dinner on the table for a family in need.

Call 617-548-5357 to arrange local pick up of
your gathered coins or donate by check to:

Gathering Change, Inc.
c/o Saugus Bank
Route 1 @ 412 Lynn Fells Parkway
Saugus, MA 01906