One response to the recession

[The Blue Flower]

I've written in the past about my neighborhood food pantry, where I volunteer 2-3 times/week. Two of my fellow volunteers and I decided we needed a new project, since we all had time on our hands. Three months ago we decided to open a free clothing bank since so many of the people coming into the food pantry couldn't afford the prices at Goodwill or the other thrift stores. We found a homeless agency that was just opening its doors and approached them. They had a clothing bank on their list of what they wanted to providef and had a spare room for us to set up in. To cut to the bottom line, we opened our doors to the homeless today and started giving away clothing.

It was a great feeling, and we're so happy at what we accomplished in such a short time. I'd love to share our experience with anyone who feels like they want to do something like a clothing bank in their community. If you'd like to discuss this with me in detail, please send me a note.

[juajen]

1. I'm curious. How do you determine that they are telling the truth

and are, indeed, homeless?

[The Blue Flower]

2. They're clients at the agency and the food bank

We know them. For those we don't know, we'll maintain limits on how much they can take.