Wednesday, 16 February

Today I worked on compiling the data I collected yesterday and mapping out a plan for what to do with the wealth of information I had collected. I had that form letter that I started on a few weeks ago (see post dated 1/26/05), but wasn't sure if that would be appropriate. Plus, it wasn't even complete. Until today, anyway. It's not entirely done, but it is closer than before.

Dear Potential Donor Contact,

As fellow New Yorkers, we know you recognize the faces of homelessness when you see them on our streets, but can you spot the newly-housed individuals and families looking for a fresh start? Furnish a Future does. We see them daily as they browse our warehouse, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn,[1] for furniture and housewares, searching for pots and pans, small appliances, sofas and chairs, rugs, lamps and other essential items which turn a house into a home.

Ours is a clientele of great need for start-up items. We’re not asking for fancy gadgets or expensive name brands (although these items won't be turned away), but our clients don’t want junk, either. Bakeware or pots and pans with a scratch or two, slightly dented metal strainers or graters, items from incomplete sets of cookware, flatware, dinnerware, cutlery and the like are all desperately needed in our clients’ homes. Consider all the rarely-thought-of-but-couldn’t-live-without items in your kitchen; these are products healthy, happy homes are made of.

You must be asking yourself, What’s in it for me and my company?

• For starters: we're a non-profit organization receiving funding from, for example, NYC Department of Homeless Services[2]; donating to us means a tax write-off for you. Talk to your accountant for details about itemizing charitable donations, but you determine the monetary value of the items donated, the cost of labor associated with collecting and packaging/preparing donations for delivery, and the expense of trucking or shipping those donations.
• Also, consider how much money you could save in storage costs by donating flawed, unprofitable items.
• Do we even need to mention the feel good value of your donation? You’ll be helping furnish the homes of families who have lived on the streets and in shelters for months at least, bringing them comfort and capability to cook deliciously healthy meals

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[1] Necessary?

[2] “receiving funding from…Services” could be put simply “receiving public funding.” I put the bit in about DHS to lend credibility to our non-profitability. Necessary?

I'm nervous about her response.

I worked 7 hours today.