Charity Fest: Portraits for Non-Perishables by Joe Maher

If you follow this blog then you've already heard me talk about the real benefit of Charity Fest. What I love about this idea from Joe Maher is in two parts...first, I love the fact that he's just started it. He's only done it one time, but knows that the next time around it'll grow more. The point is he went out and did something. Second, he's pretty much given you all the ingredients to do something similar on your own. Imagine how much better this country would be if everybody did some of the things being shared here on Charity Fest!  Skip Cohen

Here is something I started doing last year and will continue to do as long as there is a need. (And hunger seems to be a need that will never go away)

Grove City, PA is a small community of around 8,400 residents.  It is a nice grounded place to raise kids and not have to worry so much about the outside world. But like all communities there is a need for food banks and pantries.  I knew there was a need for these non profits and I knew Grove City had many families who qualified for food assistance.  It was not until one of the food banks moved a block down the street from my studio that I realized HOW MANY families needed/qualified and used the food bank and its many services. 

I saw so many children carrying bags and bags of food goods one day and I decided I needed to do something. Their web address is here: http://www.gccommunityfoodpantry.org/index.html 

I contacted Mrs. Turner at the organization and asked if I could hold an event to help stock the Pantry.  Of course she was excited to hear a new way to raise the stock on the shelves.  So I decided to hold an annual Portraits for Non-Perishables drive.  Being the first year it was a small success.  We brought in over $200 in canned goods and I have since brought in more canned goods by past clients who wanted to give, even though they missed the event. 

With a little better planning and a little more knowledge on promotions of this sort I am looking for it to be a larger event this Fall. 
Here's the program:  Bring in a dozen cans of food (or whatever you can afford) and you receive a quick happy session!  The following day the participants received a link to download the high resolution file and do with it what they wanted.  

Here is the promotion I used for Facebook and around town,