It's time to step up to the plate

I spent close to 20 years in my early career working in the non-profit sector – working with teen mothers, women surviving abuse, and families.

So I am not new to the darker side of life and how some folks have a tough go of it. 

But I gained a reminder and broadened my perspective on Wednesday at my Rotary Club meeting when seven charities presented, sharing what they had done with the funds we had donated.

The charities were diverse in terms of the people they served – from youth caught up in human trafficking, children with special needs, the homeless living in tents, people living in poverty and immigrant families. But what struck me is that while many of us feel we have it tough right now… we have NO idea how hard it is for others, and how just one kind gesture can make a difference. 

The Forgotten People, for example, talked about how they provided winter clothing and boots to a woman who had neither, along with a backpack of food and their visits to help the homeless who were camping just outside the city. 

At Elora House which is for survivors of human trafficking, we learned of one resident who has never felt so safe and cared for as when she received her care package on arrival. The representative from Big Brothers. Big Sisters shared the story of one successful match with a little brother who is blossoming because he now has a male mentor in life.

As the charities were talking about the kits and supplies that were giving to their clients, I also thought that I need to spread the word about The Bargain’s Group, who not only provide those supplies at a bargain rate, but operate Kits for a Cause, through which groups – be it corporations, families or community organizations - can pull together Kits as a team building, philanthropic activity.

New at Kits for a Cause is their Charity Wishlist donation program – think wedding registry  but for charities -to list in-kind donation needs.  The best news? It’s free for charities! The Wishlist is a live platform where donors can select what items they want to send directly to the charity and receive an email tax receipt from the platform. 

 The charity, for example, could ask for 12 sleeping bags, 4 pairs of gloves, 500 shampoos, etc.  It’s easy to share the wish list on social media and they’ve seen great success thus far! One of their pilot charities received just under $100K in two months! (60 percent of these donors were brand new!)  Go to www.kitsforacause.com

The other advantage of listing what you need, is perhaps, a sponsor will organize a Kits for a Cause gathering to pay for and pull those supplies together for you, making it a win-win for all involved.

After hearing these stories, I am more determined than ever to do something to help alleviate the pain and suffering. Time to take action. And my first step is to spread the word on the work being done by Jody Steinhauer and her team at The Bargains Group.

Jody has been a long-time, passionate advocate for the homeless, and spearheaded Project Winter Survival and Project Water through which the homeless receive sleeping bags and supplies in the winter and water to counter dehydration in the summer. It is her organization that the Salvation Army and Red Cross turn to when there’s a disaster and supplies are needed.

What can you do? 

Spread the word too. Host a Kits for a Cause party. Get involved.  

Remember that one gesture of kindness can make such a difference in the lives of others.