We may disagree about Rick Warren. But we can all agree that feeding the hungry is a good thing.

[Skinner]

Unfortunately, this year we seem to be getting a lot fewer donations than usual to our charity donation drive for Feeding America (Formerly America's Second Harvest). As of last evening, we had only received donations totaling $2,120.

At this rate, we may not even raise enough money to take advantage of the full $7,500 match that brooklynite offered. He has generously offered a $7,500 challenge match -- he will provide a 1-for-1 match for every dollar donated up to a total of $7,500. If you donate $25, brooklynite will match your donation with a $25 donation.

In addition, the Board of Directors of Feeding America has offered an additional 1-for-1 matching grant for donations. So if you donate now, YOUR DONATION WILL BE MULTIPLIED BY FOUR!

So many people are hurting this year. Whatever you can spare will help make a difference. It only takes a minute, and you will help make a difference in the lives of real people. Click here to donate:

http://www.supportfeedingamerica.org/democratic

And don't forget to kick and recommend this thread. We need to get the word out.

Now, excuse me for a moment while I go donate.

David Allen
DU Administrator

[babylonsister]

1. K & R & Donated. nt

[mmonk]

2. Bookmarked. What is the time limit?

[Skinner]

5. The charity donation drive ends on December 31. (nt)

[mmonk]

6. Got it.

Will do.

[Philosoraptor]

3. .........

[Dennis Donovan]

4. Recommended - I still think Warren's a tool...

;)

[terrya]

7. I donated

I don't want you to think I'm a pathetic DUer because I oppose Rick Warren.

[Skinner]

14. I think you know me better than that, terrya.

I wouldn't think anyone is a "pathetic DUer" based on whether they support or oppose having Rick Warren speak at the inauguration. To me, this seems like an issue where reasonable people can disagree. Even those reasonable people who fully support gay rights (as DUers are expected to do).

[terrya]

18. I'm sorry, but I'm livid right now, Skinner.

I admit it. Besides Warren and Prop 8, now I read this news. While it's not a huge surprise coming from the relentlessly hostile to GLBT Americans Bush Adminstration, it's still shocking and shameful:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4681803

I appreciate you posted about donating to this very worthwhile charity. And I donated because I should.

I apologize for being bitter in my post, but I'm angry about reading some of the things around here.

[Skinner]

19. No need to apologize.

You have good reason to be upset.

[terrya]

20. Thank you.

I was about to PM you.

And thank you for posting about feeding the hungry. This is one thing that we should all agree on.

[pengillian101]

127. ...as DUers are expected to do...

Huh?

EXPECTED?

****

Bah, no thanks - this is just like FReeperville - Step in line or get out. Send money.

[johnnie]

53. Hiya Terrya

I saw the promotion for this drive the other day and figured.... I will give ....maybe. I have been so disappointed in DU the last few days that I really was trying to stay away. I was honestly disappointed because I thought that many of us fought so hard for the Dems to get back into office and then all this Warren stuff happened and it seemed like we were falling apart. Too many people fighting here.

I will be completely honest here and say that I thought "Yeah. Warren is a fucking bigot, a punk and worthless and he should just go away, but shezzzz.... it is only a few minutes of a short whatever and then we can get on with business".

I clicked on this thread to see what Skinner had to say and then I read your posts and realized..hey wait.. I know this guy and he has been a friend for the last 6 years...he is hurting, but he is putting that hurt aside to do what we have done here at DU since I have been here and THAT IS WHAT WE DO. We, in true progressive fashion, help others.

I can only do the best I can to know what it feels like to be in your shoes (and the rest of the GLBT community), but I do know that many of you here at DU have been some of the most beautiful souls I have met in my life. And you terrya, have been one of the most kindest to me here at DU. After I read your post I went right to the link and donated...in keeping with your spirit of "fuck the bs, help the others who need it".


You rock terrya!

[patrice]

8. Done. And thank you, Skinner. Just speaking for myself and maybe a few others, some of us do need

to hear a little more about OTHER things which we AGREE about.

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. Donated.

:-)

[SidDithers]

10. Any chance of putting a "thermometer" up similar to the Obama one?...

might keep the drive front and center when people log in.

Sid

[Skinner]

17. Unfortunately, no.

They don't have the technology to do that.

(Heck, they don't even have the technology or manpower to give us daily updates on our progress.)

[fla nocount]

11. Skinner, I really like the way that you're using your board.

I haven't been gainfully employed since March as the commercial construction industry is in the crapper. My children and I have been living on the resources of the Universe that while niggardly distributed are still much appreciated. I would like to express my appreciation in your efforts to replenish the Universe.

[BeFree]

16. Me too

Actually, for the first time in my life, I just may have to accept some charity to get by.
Hopefully karma kicks in and some of the charity I have been able to offer comes back to me.

"You never know what you've got til it's gone"... "I get by with a little help from my friends" Etc.

[fla nocount]

22. We agree on something? Damn!

No charity yet or public assistance but that's probably coming too. I'm talking more what the Xians call God and we of the spiritual bent call the Universe. Somehow or another what you need is provided...sell an instrument, repair a friends deck using borrowed money, flip a vehicle using borrowed money, cater a party using borrowed money, sell frozen bread dough to my admirers, etc.

Lots of prayer and meditation involved in snatching opportunity out of the Universe though, it's almost like work. The Universe is infinitely rich but wraps it's gifts in plain brown paper.

[BeFree]

26. I wasn't aware that we disagree on anything?

Certainly hope and prayer are about all of us have, right now.

[nonpareil]

12. Donated

Thanks for the reminder.

[joneschick]

13. done!

I've been meaning to donate for awhile, but with the current multipliers I had to do it today! Thanks brooklynite! You done good :hi:

[demokatgurrl]

15. I'm happy to kick, donate and rec. This is the first I've heard

about this charity.

[BR_Parkway]

21. Thanks for the reminder - especially after the last few bloody days

[Strathos]

23. I'm sure even Hitler had his good points.

Lying and wronging a percentage of the population can not be forgiven by a few good deeds unless those deeds include righting those you've wronged.

[patrice]

27. Precisely. So the question is: How?

How are we (and to me that really is all of the issue groups) going to right those who have been wronged?

If the last few decades have taught us anything, it has to be that if the principle you have identified really does apply to any one individual or sub-group, then it applies to all. No one can claim it if it isn't true for everyone. The rape and plunder of America has been done under the guise of "special-ness" a.k.a. some are more valuable than others. All I really need from the LGBT Community in order to give whatever I have to their cause is to know that they also recognize that if righting wrongs applies to them, then it must also apply to others who have been and are being wronged.

Solidarity, Strathos.

:grouphug:

[netania99]

24. Done!

Thank you!!

[bigtree]

25. I can kick this

but I can't kick in.

I found $7 bucks! Kickin it in . . .

[Nye Bevan]

28. Done. The multiplication by four persuaded me (nt)

[Texasgal]

29. KICKY!!!

[terrya]

30. Recommended. Please donate if you can.

This is important.

[flvegan]

31. Kick!

[chimpymustgo]

32. Thanks for the reminder. K&R.

[GardeningGal]

33. Did our donations yesterday get muliplied by four?

I hope so.

[Skinner]

41. Yes, they did. (nt)

[coffeenap]

34. k & r--going to the site now--thanks!

[muriel_volestrangler]

35. K & R (nt)

[LeftishBrit]

36. k&r

[bleever]

37. Kick, rec,

and donated.

[momophile]

38. thanks for doing this again

I don't come to DU much anymore, but I wanted to donate again this year so I looked to see if DU was doing this again. Thanks so much.

[Berserker]

39. Done and Kick n/t

[Truth Teller]

40. We may disagree about Rick Warren?

I hope not.

[ljm2002]

42. Done! 4X multiplier for donations, that is GREAT!!!!!

I hope others will be encouraged to donate what they can -- your gift will be magnified greatly!

[intheflow]

43. I couldn't give much, Skinner,

but I gave $10. I'm not doing too well financially, but at least I have enough food and only myself to worry about feeding. I know so many others are hurting much worse.

K&R

[leftstreet]

44. K&R

[FloridaJudy]

45. Done. K&R. eom

[glowing]

46. I'll see what I can do.. It will have to be after next week though.. due to pay schedules.

[Mimosa]

47. Thank you for the link, Skinner

I appreciate the opportunity to give something to a very worthy organisation.

I donated what I could. I hope it helps. So many people have been laid off and can't find jobs. My heart goes out to them.

I just visited a few forums at which I'm a regular (one's a large board) and posted the following as New Topics:

If your Christmas will be filled with warmth, love and wonderful things, please consider sharing whatever you can.

It's near Christmas and many people are losing their jobs. Those who've already lost jobs are having tough times and anxiety and going without. Many Americans are familiar with the Second Harvest Food Banks. This network is one of our best, most responsible charities. The Salvation Army is another.

Second Harvest, now named Feeding America Second Harvest,has more demand than ever before. Please consider making whatever donation you can to this fine organisation which never falls down on the job and has fed many who need it, turning nobody away. They need your donation more than ever.

LINK


More information about Feeding America on their home page:

LINK




I noticed the donation link goes THROUGH Democratic underground, so that should HELP. One board is a super rightwing board. :lol

Little do they suspect. Bwa ha ha....

[Beaverhausen]

48. Donated

[BrklynLiberal]

49. K&R

[wryter2000]

50. Okay, you finally got me

I guess if I could buy a heated bed for that awful stray cat that lives in my garage and back yard, I can throw in a few bucks for this.

K&R

[Stardust]

101. Very generous on two very important fronts. Most kittehs didn't ask to be

abandoned. I applaud your altruistic spirit. :hug:

[hamsterjill]

122. Thanks for taking care of the kitty!

And for giving to this cause, as well.

[G_j]

51. K&R

[Skittles]

52. DONE!!!

:D

[puebloknot]

54. Being well fed and grateful for current blessings ...

... I have just donated $50. Optimistically, that will turn into $200.

People continue to need food after the spotlight of the holidays dims. I hope there will be ongoing programs to help the many people who are losing jobs, are ill, and are desperate.

Thanks, Skinner, for your efforts to help.

[blogslut]

55. K&R

n/t

[jgraz]

56. So... we should feed Rick Warren to hungry people?

I could get behind that.

[MH1]

57. Looks like its about time for

another k&r!

Thanks for this reminder, Skinner. :)

[lonestarnot]

58. K & R!

[4 t 4]

59. Love you Skinner!

[lonestarnot]

60. I'll tell him.

;):hi:

[EFerrari]

61. Kick

:kick:

[Starry Messenger]

62. I donated and I also wrote a strongly worded letter to change.gov

about Rick Warren. Now if I can get my holiday shopping done I'll be golden.

k&r

[tbyg52]

63. I'm probably going to donate again, seeing as how it's DU's pick

But when I donated last year (a fairly substantial amount), I quickly received a "thank-you" note that mostly strongly suggested an even more substantial amount. I think I'm remembering correctly on that, but in any case I do remember my emotion, which was pretty offended.

I'm sure they do good work and are fiscally responsible (although I'm going to look them up in Charity Navigator this year), but I think they might need a little work on the person-to-person niceties.

Call me Scrooge..... ;)

(But please remember that I *said* I was going to donate to them, or maybe something like them.)

[Hekate]

64. Done. $25 is on its way...

Earlier this week my main contribution went to our local food bank, and I'm glad to add this small check to DU and glad it will be quadrupled.

Hekate

[myrna minx]

65. K&R. I donated earlier today. It's wonderful that our contributions are being

matched so generously. Thanks Skinner and brooklynite.

[cliffordu]

66. K&R

[TexasObserver]

67. For those who don't like to send money online:

I don't like to use online payment systems, so I look for the traditional snail mail methods. I like having a canceled check and sending it by mail, so that is what I will be doing on this one. This is what I found at the link:

If you’d like to send your check or money order through the mail, please make checks payable to Feeding America and mail to:

Feeding America
Donor Services Department
35 East Wacker Drive
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60601

I would ask Skinner how we go about making sure our mailed contributions get the benefit of the deal brooklynite has offered. As soon as I know, I'll send them some money. Am I correct that this organization is a properly formed 501(c)(3), whose donors are entitled to deduct such donations?

[defendandprotect]

97. Me, too --- or should we send to Skinner---???

[ohtransplant]

68. K & R

[Lil Missy]

69. K&R, donated. SSDI is not enough for me, so used credit card. Will figure out how to pay later.

At least I do have food to eat.

And if I have to, I do like beans, and potatoes!

[beac]

70. K&R. Donated yesterday. Will try to scrounge up a few more dollars

before 12/31.

[rpannier]

71. Thanks for the reminder

I had forgotten

Hopefully this will stay on the greatest page long enough for others, like myself,to see the reminder.

[Hippo_Tron]

72. Skinner I have a question

How do you and brooklynite keep track of how much DUers have donated. I just want to make sure I do it right so that my donation gets matched.

Also, you should sticky this in GD and GDP. I think we'd all be reminded a bit better if it were constantly at the top.

[beac]

80. Feeding America gave DU a special link.

http://www.supportfeedingamerica.org/democratic

So they know that every donation that comes in through that link is a DU donation, as explained by Skinner in his original post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4674723


I am guessing that if you are making more than one donation at a time (I did this b/c I was giving them 'In Honor' of various people), you should go back out of the FA site and re-enter through the DU link just to be sure that DU gets the credit.



He explains here why kicks and recs are much better than stickys (which I didn't know either!):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4676112

[krispos42]

73. K&R n/t

[lamp_shade]

74. Done. Kick and recommend.

[DUlover2909]

75. I'm donating. Skinner made me cry.

He's right. I had kinda forgot about what time of year it is. Some people, and the numbers are growing thanks to that awful asshole boosh, don't have anything. I'm an atheist that somehow follows Vedanta (without the mythology crap) and I still dig Christmas.

[LaurenG]

76. I need to wait for a few more days,

until next payday and we'll be donating. It's tough this year for a whole bunch of people and we have those we know who are in need too. I'm betting I'm not the only one who just needs to get that next paycheck first.


How sad though :(

[Political Heretic]

77. No. Nothing is more important than Rick Warren. Everything else must stop!

I wish I had money to donate. I have 44 dollars to hopefully give me enough gas to drive to Eugene to be with my family at Christmas ... not yet sure how I'll be getting back.

If I had even a spare dollar I'd happily give it. Thankfully, once I get to my family, we'll be bless with enough food and shelter for the holidays. I know many are not that lucky. :(

I wish we were talking about this and not about a prayer.

[Mira]

78. I donated and I'm kicking. And please think about this:

It is critical. The shelves are bare.
It's "local" - we are helping the American hungry, a situation that ought not exist at all.

Make as large a donation as you possibly can.
There is someone to whom you might be giving a gift this holiday season who does not need it. Tell them about this matching challenge donation, and tell them you helped in their name as well.
Heck, ask them to donate.

Inch by inch it's a cinch.
We ought to be able to get this money together to secure this generous donation offer.

Thank you Brooklynite !!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

79. Sorry I have already adopted a second family and am tapped out.

Maybe next time.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

81. Kick!

Thank you Skinner and Brooklynite...I just made a donation. My only concern with America's Second Harvest, is that it seems that ever since I donated last year, they have spent as much as I sent them, on mailing me additional requests for additional funds.
I would rather not get something in the mail almost every week, and that they spend the money on food for the hungry.

[beac]

86. I also hate seeing funds spent on direct mail. I plan to use their online form to

request that I be contacted by email only. Here's the link:

http://help.secondharvest.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=1161&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS


Or you can contact them by snail mail or phone:

National Office:
Feeding America
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60601
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

90. Thanks for that idea, beac...

And one more Kick!

[beac]

91. You might also like this site:

http://www.donotmail.org/

I followed their instructions here and was amazed by the reduction in junk mail (it did take about 12 weeks to see the full effect): http://www.donotmail.org/form.php?id=50

[brooklynite]

109. FWIW, I've received very little mail from them since last year's contribution...

[Career Prole]

82. Who's Rick Warren?

Just kidding!

Done, and kicked.

:kick:

[BlooInBloo]

83. Done and done.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

84. Done! Thank you, Skinner!

And thank you brooklynite, for your generous match!

[Cleita]

85. My pocket has been picked dry both by the election and the needy I have run across.

I'm sure you will find that across the board here. Also, many are losing their jobs or have family members who are. My stepdaughter informed me that since she's getting laid off family shouldn't expect a lot of Christmas this year. When hardship hits one or two families there is still plenty but when our whole population is systematically becoming poorer it starts becoming noticeable and charities are the first to feel it. I'm sorry that there isn't enough money to go around this Christmas.

[Unca Jim]

87. Donated.

I unsubscribed to every annoying emailing organization after the election and Feeding America got deleted by mistake.

Thanks for the heads up!

[beac]

88. KICK! n/t

[beac]

89. And kick again n/t

[beac]

92. Kickety n/t

[Zoigal]

93. Thank you for the reminder. Hadn't seen it before.

Just finished donating. Hope we make the required amount. Special thanks to brooklynite
for the matching funds. z

[EFerrari]

94. Kick

[Skittles]

95. kick

[Stuart G]

96. kick

[beac]

98. Kick!

I know it's pinned now, but throwing back on the front page now and then can't hurt, right? :)

[lamp_shade]

99. Another kick

[Coexist]

100. usually I donate in my parents name to Heifer Intl, but this year

with so many hungry here, I dontated in their name to Second Harvest, I gave $50 more just now. Hungry in this country is just too sad to contemplate.

[Stardust]

102. Hey Skinner, Sweetie: Can't you lift the 24-hour rule for recs on this one?

:loveya: You're the best webmaster with the best damned website ever, BTW. (Sorry if I sound like a suck-up...just ate some chocolate and love (albeit temporarily) this world.) ;-)

[beac]

103. A kick for 2am chocolate (or maybe it was 11pm, if you are West Coast)

Still, late-night chocolate and charity go welll together. Cheers!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

104. Shoot. I almost missed this.

I gotta get out and about more.

Done!

[brooklynite]

105. I've crossposted my offer on DKos...

The original notice seemed to disappear, so hopefully reminding people will do the trick.

[Horse with no Name]

106. K&R Donated. n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

107. Donated! Thanks for the opportunity, Skinner!

[still_one]

108. done /nt

[Beaverhausen]

110. What's our total?

[GardeningGal]

111. This is STILL getting lost in the shuffle.

Kicking to keep it in focus.

[I Have A Dream]

112. I already donated, but I'll give it a kick. nt

[Hissyspit]

113. kick nt

[tate2008]

114. Donated!

Thanks Skinner

[OneGrassRoot]

115. Done! Kick.... :) n/t

[Tanuki]

116. Kicking

and thanks for the reminder!

[dbackjon]

117. Donated!

[brooklynite]

118. Now that Christmas is behind us...

...please take a minute to remember the people who are struggling to make it through the necessities of life. My challenge to match every donation to Feeding America still stands. Even a small contribution will be quadrupled by my match and the FA Board of Trustees. If you can afford to pay for monthly internet access, you can afford to help the hungry.

[Lisa0825]

119. kick

:kick:

[Ocracoker16]

120. I donated and hope you will too

Don't forget about our gift being quadruple matched!

[Moosepoop]

121. Donated finally!

Thanks Skinner and brooklynite for this opportunity!

[Born_A_Truman]

123. Donated

As a former single mother who knows the struggle and worry of feeding her children, I want to thank DU for helping to feed families.

[Born_A_Truman]

124. Wouldn't allow me to rec, sorry.

[kath]

125. Kick!

Donated.

[pengillian101]

126. But we can all agree that feeding the hungry is a good thing.

Yes, we can all agree on that!

Feeding America (Formerly America's Second Harvest).

Is this really a replacement for Second Harvest? I like to donate to my own neighbors. I'd donate via DU to them, if it actually is the same Second Harvest that we all know and trust.

[Ian David]

128. Feeding the hungry isn't a good thing if you're feeding bread to hungry people with Celiac Disease.