The Dollar Shop: Why we charge for clothing

This week, it was brought to my attention that there was an online discussion about the fact that we charge for clothing.

Wow!  People are noticing us.

Of course, the more people notice the more I want to be publicly transparent about our operating procedures.

We offer food, books, Bibles, and assorted random items for free.  (Random things could include paper products, toiletries, school supplies, small toys, and most recently Christian CDs and DVDs and lots of educational "My Plate" plates.)

We charge for clothing.  Usually.

Our clothing closet, called The Dollar Shop, is a small area in one corner of our pantry that most highly exemplifies the "us" concept, and the spirit of empowerment and individual development that we strive for.

Anyone can donate.  Anyone can shop.   This includes church attenders, those receiving help from the food pantry, and unchurched community members looking for a place to plug in.

When someone receiving help from the pantry is seeking a tangible way to give back, this is a simple and direct path for them to do so.  They bring in things the kids have outgrown or that they no longer wear, and know those donations can turn into extra funding to support our programs.
When someone shops, they can get a great bargain and know their dollars matter.

We regularly have folks find suits, dresses, coats, shoes, and every day wear for $1 an item.  Those who shop are proud of their purchases.

I'm pretty proud of the $1 Nikes I picked up.  One of the dear ladies who uses our pantry tried them on first, we compared sizes, and when they didn't fit her, she had me try them on.  I have funky to fit feet, so we were both delighted (and surprised) that they fit me. I really needed some new shoes and was waiting until I had the extra funds, so we talked about how God provided.  It wasn't just the bargain and the much needed shoes, but that little piece of community in the transaction that made me so happy.

On the other hand, this is still a charitable clothing closet when it needs to be.  We want people to be warm in the winter.  We want their kids to have clothes for school.  We want them to have clothes for work.  If there is an emergency need, we give away what we have, and often solicit additional donations in needed sizes.
For example, we are currently collecting polo shirts, khakis, and black pants to benefit students at an area alternative high school.  We have helped families after fires.  We have helped get kids clothes for back to school.  We have provided for a senior who lost her clothing in an eviction.

We also give things that have been hanging around in The Dollar Shop too long.  The ladies who run this part of our ministry are getting ready to switch out clothes for the season, and all of the summer stuff will be given away for free.  (It's still warm in Virginia, so the free short sleeve shirts will still get wear for awhile.)

We don't make a fortune out of this.  I would think a good month brings us $30 in profits.   It does not financially sustain us.  That's not the point.

The Dollar Shop makes people happy.  The thrill of the hunt for a bargain is great.  The satisfaction in giving and working together is what we're all about.

Tips for donors: Money or food?

I am often asked whether we prefer donations of money or food.  My answer is both.

Each pantry and foodbank will be different.  In some cases, I suspect that very large pantries and foodbanks could do more with money.  On the flip side, smaller pantries with less man power may really need you to bring food directly to them.  Before you donate, contact the agency you are interested in helping to find their preference.

We are a suburban pantry that serves 20-30 families per week on average.  We are a member of  Feedmore (Central Virginia Foodbank) and therefore Feeding America.

Here's why I like donations of BOTH money and food:

Money

* Most of the year, we do not receive enough donations of food to serve all of our guests.  (November and December during prime food drive season is a little different.)  Money in reserve allows us to shop to fill in the gaps.

* We can sometimes do more with your money than you can.  If we are able to find what we need at Feedmore, we pay only a low shared maintenance cost to withdraw food (usually 19cents per pound).

* Sometimes we have nutritional gaps that need to be filled quickly.   If, for example, we are all out of protein and have some money on hand, we can go to the grocery store to fill in the gaps by shopping sales.  We generally can plan ahead to keep such emergencies from happening, but available funds help in a pinch.

* For some people, being able to give money is just easier.  Some people who really want to support us never would if they had to go shopping.  Making a donation in the offering plate or our church e-giving system is quick and easy, and allows those interested to support us and be involved in a way that fits their lifestyle.

* Sometimes we don't need food.  Sometimes we need supplies to help us acquire and distribute the food.  Since our ministry is more than just a pantry, sometimes we may need funds to support a ministry guest through other means than food.  Having funds allows us flexibility to do these things.


Food

* Direct donations of food save us as volunteers a lot of time and effort.  If you bring the food to us, all we have to do is put it away.  Going to Feedmore requires an appointment and a number of hours for shopping, hauling, unloading, sorting, and stocking.  Going to the grocery store still requires a volunteer to put in extra time to acquire food.  When you give us food, you allow us to use our time in other ways.

* Direct donations of food means we have more variety to share.  We are a client choice pantry, which means guest select their own food within certain parameters.  In our case, it is one item per shelf, and we try to arrange it logically.  Therefore, your can of beets might go on the vegetable shelf with cans of spinach, carrots, and asparagus.  Some of these might be organic, no sodium, vegan, etc..  Our guest can pick the item off that shelf that their family will be most likely to eat that best suits their nutritional needs.  If we shop, we might end up with case after case of green beans, which works fine, but doesn't allow the same nutritional variety.

* Direct donation of food helps prevent food waste.  If you buy a box of oatmeal, eat one pouch and hate it, you can give us the rest (as long as the individual pouches are sealed).  Someone else might like it.  You know that odd can of soup you picked up by accident?  We'll share it.  Don't have room to store that entire case of whatever that you bought at Costco?  Give us your extras.  We even take recently expired food, because most canned items are good for at least a year past date.  (You could eat it yourself, but if you really want to get rid of it, don't throw it out.  Let us check it first.)

* Donating food helps donors feel more connected to the process.  Writing a check can be too easy sometimes.  Our hearts are more engaged if we select the items and think about those who might receive them in the process.  Think about your kid's favorite fruit, or the new healthy item that you love serving your family, and then know another family might appreciate it the same way you do.  If you live alone, you are well suited to shop for items that may eventually go to someone else in a one person household.


Ask before you donate.
Anything you give will be appreciated, but if you want to have the greatest impact, contact the agency you wish to donate to and ask their preference.

If you are in western Henrico and would like to support our pantry with food OR funds, email me at care@gaytonchurch.org.

Food Drive Season: What to donate (and what NOT to donate)

One of the most frequently asked question I get from those interested in helping is "What should I donate?"


This time of year, many schools, churches, and businesses are hosting holiday food drives.  While most donations are useful, thoughtful donations will have the most impact.


Thoughts before you go shopping 

As I was thinking over this post, I realized that there is not a "one size fits all" list that covers the range of pantries out there.  Hopefully, the agency you are collecting food for has provided a list.
If not, try to check the agency website to see if they have particular needs.  This can vary based on the physical set up of the food pantry and the population being served.   It also may depend upon how the food drive is being run.  A school based food drive that may hold food for several weeks may not be the best way to donate fresh bread, for instance.

A good rule of thumb is to donate what your family eats.  Chances are, other families in your area eat in similar ways.  Those who come to pantries for food are no more different from you than anyone else in the community.  They may have picky kids.  They may live alone or have a large family.   They may have diabetes or high blood pressure.  They may or may not be good in the kitchen.  They may have religious or moral objections to eating certain foods.  They may be well educated about nutrition.  They may have food allergies. They may have food preferences based on their culture and what they grew up eating.

At this point, I realize some of you are thinking that someone who is hungry should eat anything.   Pantries such as ours are dealing with food insecurity, rather than hunger.
 Food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. '  So while there may be some food in the home, it may not be enough for the days or weeks until the next paycheck, or it may have consistent nutritional gaps (which are often protein and produce). Donating another pack of ramen doesn't really help someone who needs fruits, vegetables, and meat in their diet.  

Thoughtful food donations are essential to combating food insecurity in your neighborhood.

Below is just a guideline that will work for most pantries and food banks.
Whenever possible, donate items that are whole grain,  low/no sodium, low sugar, organic, natural, and/or minimally processed.

What should I donate?

• Fresh produce if your pantry accepts it.  Potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, apples, and citrus are all long lasting and do not require refrigeration.  Check with your pantry before donating more perishable items.
• Whole grain bread if your pantry is equipped to accept it.
• Pasta and sauce
• Peanut butter 
• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, crab, ham)
• Canned fruits and applesauce
• Cereal and oatmeal
• Soups, stews, and chili
• Baking mixes like Bisquik, cornbread mix, bread mix, etc. - preferably those that require few additional ingredients other than water.
• Evaporated, dry, and shelf stable milk
• Canned vegetables other than just green beans.  While people do like green beans, many pantries get these more often than any other vegetable.  Donate a wide range of vegetables including carrots, asparagus, spinach, corn, peas, cabbage, etc.
• Rice
• Canned and dried beans
• Healthy snack items such as whole grain crackers, boxes of granola bars, nuts, and dried fruits. 
• Holiday items such as stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie filling and pie crust mix, sweet potatoes, canned hams, hot roll mix, etc. 

Please do not donate:

• Opened packages where food is exposed.  (An opened box that has individually wrapped items inside is fine.)  
• Ramen.  Seriously.  This is the cheapest food on the shelf, so someone with limited means could buy it if they wanted it.  It is high in sodium and low in nutritional value.  Food banks and pantries are flooded with ramen donations.  Schools that award classes for bringing the most items are often the biggest offenders.  If possible, encourage your school to award prizes based on most peanut butter, tuna, or vegetables donated to avoid this.  
• Junk (soda, chips, candy, etc.).  Sugary foods, in particular, have no place in a charitable food pantry.  Sugar actually makes you hungrier, which is the opposite of what we are hoping to achieve.  There are countless articles easy to find online about the detrimental affects of sugar on your brain and body.  In general, any food that has no value to nourish a body should be avoided.
• Food in badly damaged packaging.  This includes: boxes or bags that have openings; water damaged boxes when the food is not enclosed in plastic inside, and cans with "bad" dents.   Not all dents are created equal.  Check out this handy guide to learn more.
• Extremely expired food.   Most food past date by a year or less is fine.  On pages 6-8 of this document is a great list.   In our pantry, I tend to not stock anything over a year past date, though some canned items are good for 2 or more years past date.  What I'm talking about here are those items you find in the deep recesses of your pantry that are many years old.  One time, I had a teen volunteer find a can that expired before she was born.  Eww.
• Commercial sized cans of food, unless it is going to directly to an agency that prepares and serves the food.  Most families and individuals are not going to be able to make the best use of industrial sized packaging.
• Food you received as a joke.  We've probably all been a white elephant exchange where someone received that food item that makes everyone gag.  Yes, you can buy squid, brains, and many other disgusting things in a can.  I know, because I've seen it donated to my pantry.  It goes in the gross canned food hall of fame along with the aforementioned teenage can of food and a vintage box of Royal brand pudding mix that is so old it predates when packages had dates on them. Unless the items is considered a delicacy in your area, it is best to keep it and pass it along at the next gift exchange.  

This is by no means comprehensive, but I hope it is a good place to start as you shop for your next holiday food drive.  

Any other ideas or suggestions?  Feel free to leave a comment.