Do you remember the Change for Change jar? I'm not sure where the practice got started but I can think of half a dozen, or more, congregations with these jars. The concept was brilliant! Somebody realized that by pooling our small amounts of money we would eventually accumulate enough to make a real difference. We could make “a change” and most everybody had a little bit of “change” to drop in a jar.
Everybody liked the idea. Sunday morning was a good time to unload those heavy coins we'd acquired during the week. Kids could save up their change; or scrounge from dad or grandpa's pocket. There was a willing group of small people ready to gather change on their way to the jar so the older folks didn't even have to get up.
We used the funds to support the school breakfast program run by the Guelph Children's Foundation. We donated enough over the years that we earned a place on their honour role. You can check us out on >> their website <<. When Elora joined us they brought along their Change for Change jar and we added World Accord as recipients.
By now we had begun to support the Food Bank, so we added the Fergus locatioin. We had a big barrel where you could donate your Cheerios or spagetti sauce. Every month we had pounds and pounds of food to drop off.
And then things changed.
Oh not the needs we'd been giving to. They're still there and bigger than ever. More kids need more breakfasts. They also need food for the weekend and the summer holidays. So those places have expanded their programs.
Our attendance dropped off; folks use plastic and no longer have coins weighing them down. We responded by putting our causes directly into our budget. We could see the ever-growing need and we didn't want to abandon our neighbours as times got tougher.
Everybody liked the idea. Sunday morning was a good time to unload those heavy coins we'd acquired during the week. Kids could save up their change; or scrounge from dad or grandpa's pocket. There was a willing group of small people ready to gather change on their way to the jar so the older folks didn't even have to get up.
We used the funds to support the school breakfast program run by the Guelph Children's Foundation. We donated enough over the years that we earned a place on their honour role. You can check us out on >> their website <<. When Elora joined us they brought along their Change for Change jar and we added World Accord as recipients.
By now we had begun to support the Food Bank, so we added the Fergus locatioin. We had a big barrel where you could donate your Cheerios or spagetti sauce. Every month we had pounds and pounds of food to drop off.
And then things changed.
Oh not the needs we'd been giving to. They're still there and bigger than ever. More kids need more breakfasts. They also need food for the weekend and the summer holidays. So those places have expanded their programs.
Our attendance dropped off; folks use plastic and no longer have coins weighing them down. We responded by putting our causes directly into our budget. We could see the ever-growing need and we didn't want to abandon our neighbours as times got tougher.
So here's where we are today. We did bring our jar with us when we left our building behind. But the best way you can support our hungry neighbours is with a donation directly to the congregational budget. We don't have hydro or snow plowing or grass cutting, but we DO have budget obligations to meet.
One of our top priorities is still Change for Change, direct support to our community. If you're able you can send a cheque to Sharon or by e-transfer. You can mark your gift Change for Change, or Local Budget and you can be sure your donation goes straight to good causes and you'll get your tax receipt just when you need it.
See you next week in The Foyer.
One of our top priorities is still Change for Change, direct support to our community. If you're able you can send a cheque to Sharon or by e-transfer. You can mark your gift Change for Change, or Local Budget and you can be sure your donation goes straight to good causes and you'll get your tax receipt just when you need it.
See you next week in The Foyer.
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