Give those pennies a purpose

A recent study found that there is about $99 in spare change in each household in America. You know, the coins you leave in your jeans that ends up on the laundry room floor or in the couch cushions. Oh, and don’t forget the cup holders in the car or that dish on the dresser that you toss pennies into. Why not gather the spare change in your home for someone who has no home?

That’s how our ‘bite back’ box campaign started and how we got Mel McMahon involved. We wanted to give people like you an easy way to gather up those coins (and even dollars, too) and put that forgotten cash to good use. Your nickles, dimes and quarters will mingle with your co-workers’ and neighbors’ change and pretty soon, with enough help from our friends, we’ll turn those coins into a safe place to stay, education and a fresh start for moms and kids in need.

We pass out boxes at all of our events – like last week’s ‘Eat Outside the Box’ picnic at Veteran’s Memorial Plaza (they were in your lunch bags and on the tables). All you have to do is set it on your desk, your dresser or even the kitchen counter and fill it with your generosity. It’s a great way to get the kids involved with ‘doing the most good’, too!

And when it’s filled, you can return it to any central Indiana Salvation Army location, Two Men and a Truck location or any of our events – like Apple Fest on Monument Circle this October. We’ll gladly give it back for a refill, or use it to help someone else bite back. And there’s always a little incentive for returning boxes to events – at Apple Fest, we’re offering a FREE apple cobbler. Wahoo!

So, find that box or give Kristen a call at 224-1019 to get one. It’s an easy way to make a difference in the lives of Indy’s homeless moms and kids. Homelessness Bites. Bite Back!

Big finale for National Salvation Army Week – ‘Eat Outside the Box’

Aaron and Jon (Ricker's stores) enjoy some ice cold Cokes with Rowdie at 'Eat Outside the Box'

Indy knows how to put lunch dollars to work for a good cause and you proved it at our second annual ‘Eat Outside the Box’ picnic on Friday. We were out there to spread the word about a major need in our city – shelter and a future for the 1,500 kids and their moms who find themselves without a place to call home. Whether from domestic violence or economic struggles, these moms and kids find their way to our shelter each night looking for care, compassion and a fresh start. Because of you, we can continue to provide just that.

Without the generosity of our partners, we couldn’t do what we do to help our neighbors in need. Thanks to our food sponsors at All-American Picnic for firing up their new locomotive grill, GFS for donating all the chips and to Ricker’s am/pm stores for bringing plenty of 2-liters and ice. And we couldn’t forget the ladies who baked all the tempting treats for the Doughnut Girls to offer for donations.

Thanks to our campaign partners at Two Men and a Truck, our promotional partners at ChaCha, my107.9 and WISH TV-8 and our booth partners from Ivy Tech Community College, Comcast, Avon, The Indianapolis Star, The American Legion, The Indianapolis Colts, The Indiana Pacers, Indy Custom Cornhole and HVAF. Thanks for your support and help entertaining the crowd!

Now that you’ve seen the fun, maybe you feel like you missed out. Well, we’re looking forward to another chance to ‘Bite Back’ this October at Apple Fest on Monument Circle. We’ll have opportunities for booth, promotional, entertainment and food partnerships. Go here to learn more, or call Kristen at 224-1019.

Eat bbq, throw a game

What’s a picnic without a game of cornhole? Thanks to a generous donation from Indy Custom Cornhole, we’ll have 2 cornhole sets ready for players at next Friday’s ‘Eat Outside the Box’ picnic to end homelessness. So, gather up a group of co-workers and head on down to Veteran’s Memorial Plaza at Meridian and Michigan and put those lunch dollars to work for a good cause – homeless women and kids. Enjoy some freshly grilled hot dogs and hamburgers from All-American Picnic, chips from GFS and a ice cold water from Noodles and Company and then throw a game of cornhole before heading back to the office.

Booth space is still available for only $50. Interested? Go here to learn more or give Kristen a call at 224-1019.