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.

BD’s Mongolian Grill, Guest Grillers help us ‘Bite Back’

WISH TV-8's sports reporter, Ashley Adamson and our own Homelessness Bites spokesperson, Mel McMahon take their turn at the grill.

Indy took a big ole ‘bite out of homelessness’ last night at BD’s Mongolian Grill as about 60 diners showed up to watch our Guest Grillers serve up some stir-fry and entertainment. Thanks to all our Guest Grillers: the fabulous folks from WISH TV-8…Andi Hauser (Indy Style), Steve Bray (Chief Meteorologist) and Ashley Adamson (Sports Reporter) as well as our Homelessness Bites spokesperson and i94′s Marco Show co-host, Mel McMahon and our good friend Dave “the King” Wilson who donned aprons and learned how to ‘go mongo’. All busy, busy people who heard about those 1,500 kids who spend their nights on the streets of Indy and stepped up to do something about it.

And we just can’t say enough about the amazing, fabulous team at BD’s Mongolian Grill in Castleton. The place has really hoppin’ and the servers and grillers kept up with the crowd. It was a fun, relaxed atmosphere and the food is fantastic! We appreciate how easytheir team made it to kick off National Salvation Army Week.

But the fun’s not over yet! Today, we’ll be down at the Indiana War Memorial Museum for the dedication of the WWI Salvation Army Doughnut Girls exhibit at 1:30. Thursday is our Dine to Donate event at the Castleton Max & Erma’s (go here to print the flyer you’ll need to present so 20% of your bill will support our mission). And then the big finale, ‘Eat Outside the Box’ picnic to end homelessness on Friday at Veteran’s Memorial Plaza from 10am-2pm. 

Speaking of Friday’s event, booth space is still available if your business or non-profit would like to join us. Just $50 will put you in front of about 500 prospects and behind a great cause. To learn more, go here or give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

Squish Designs spreads the word

A special thanks to Nicki Laycoax and Squish Designs for helping us Bite Back! Not only has she been tweeting the cause of Indy’s 1,500 homeless kids, she’s created the official Twitter cause “twibbon“. Which is pretty cool since before I met Nicki, I didn’t know that was possible. See? That’s why Squish Designs can say that they truly develop your business or organization – everything social media from blogs to Twitter to facebook.

And speaking of facebook, due to the diligent promotion from Nicki and Squish (as well as our campaign spokesperson, Mel McMahon, and our own social media intern Deb) we’ve got 450 fans from here to Texas and back! Way to Bite Back!

Mel McMahon Joins the Fight Against Homelessness

Mel McMahon will be the official spokesperson for The Salvation Army's Homelessness Bites Campaign.

The Salvation Army is pleased to introduce Mel McMahon as the official spokesperson for our Homelessness Bites campaign.  Mel will lend her on-air talents to one of The Salvation Army’s largest programs in Central Indiana.

Mel is best known for her work on FOX 59, WIBC, and HANK FM.  A graduate from Indiana University, Mel is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Public Affairs Management.  “My main goal as spokesperson is awareness.  It’s women and children, moms and dads, who are being affected by homelessness, not just the people we may see on the street or around the Circle,” said Mel.

Over 30% of the homeless in Indianapolis are single moms with two or more children under 10 years old. The funds raised through Homelessness Bites will be used to offer housing assistance, resources and support to moms and children find themselves homeless due to a financial struggles and domestic violence.

One of Mel’s first official appearances will be at the 6th annual Apple Fest on Monument Circle.  The annual lunchtime event supports the Homelessness Bites campaign and features, live music, hot apple cobbler, and lunch items from Applebee’s Restaurant.  The event will be held on Thursday October 1, from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM.  For more information about Apple Fest, Homelessness Bites, and Mel McMahon, visit HomelessnessBites.org.