Strike Back at Ike

When I launched this campaign, I knew the Food Bank was short on donations and there was an immediate need. What I didn't know was that I was starting this short five-day campaign the same day the American Red Cross started their Roadblock effort, a nationwide appeal that spread across social networks.

Most of my online friends have already participated in either one of the food bank drives - many of them shopping for food and delivering in person - or the Red Cross campaign, or the various other disaster relief efforts. What usually happens is that donor "fatigue" sets in and people being to tune out fund-raising efforts. Normal and expected.

So I'm extending the deadline for Strike Back at Ike through the end of the month. Whatever we raise is money the Food Bank would not have had without this small effort. Every gift, from every source, counts.

Take a look at this Hunger Is Unnaceptable slide show that Lani Anglin-Rosales, one of our Social Media Club Austin members, put together for the original HAM-up. These statistics show the hunger in our community on a daily basis ... now add in the evacuees from Hurricane Ike who are stranded without resources, and you'll understand how serious the situation is.

Please help in whatever way you can. It doesn't matter how large your gift is as long as your heart is large toward those in need.

Thank you!

Last Saturday, September 13, we had scheduled a HAM-up, a benefit for Hunger Action Month, at the Capital Area Food Bank ... and then Big Bad Ike pitched a fit.


The Food Bank shifted into disaster relief mode as evacuees fled the hurricane bearing down on the Texas Gulf coast and began to pour into Austin. Over the weekend 6,500 people were housed in shelters, with thousands more staying with family or friends or in area hotels. It may be four to six weeks before many of these people are able to return to their homes--or what is left of them--and many of them have already run out of money to provide for themselves.

In addition to distributing food to shelters, the Food Bank prepared 25-pound emergency food boxes for Hurricane Ike evacuees not staying in shelters. But on Monday afternoon at 2:00 donations were depleted and volunteers regretfully had to start turning people away.

Here's the story of just one recipent of an emergency food box, as reported on the Capital Area Food Bank blog:

Kim Denney and her thirteen-year-old daughter Tera evacuated from Lumberton to stay at a motel in the small town of Giddings, Texas. They drove an hour west to Austin because they heard about the assistance the CAFB was offering people. Denney and her daughter were grateful to receive "substantial food" and "something other than Ramen noodles," which is what the two have been eating the past few days.

Tera Denney choked up while expressing her appreciation. "We didn't bring much food, clothing or anything like that. It is just a big thank you. My mom and I both started crying the other day because we couldn't pay for anything. We didn't have enough money. My nanny had to give us $200 today to pay for the next few days of the hotel room."

Unfortunately, many more families like the Denneys had to be turned away. If, like me, you believe that Hunger is Unacceptable, then please help us to do something to help the Food Bank help the people affected by Hurricane Ike.

I believe we can raise $5,000 in 5 days by spreading this ChipIn widget across our social networks. Please make whatever donation you can, and then tweet this, plurk it, put it on your Facebook profile, and email it to your friends.

Every $5 donation will provide $20 worth of nutritious food. A $25 donation provides $100 worth of food ... okay, you can do the math.

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION: WORDPRESS SERVICES
The individual or company that makes the largest donation through this ChipIn widget will have access to two hours of time for a Wordpress installation, customization or training by Chel Wolverton, the very capable administrative assistant for Social Media Club. Upon completion of the ChipIn campaign, Chel will contact the winner to find out which of these services is preferred. The amount of your contribution will not be disclosed.

Your generosity will be greatly appreciated by thousands of people who have been uprooted from their homes and are trying to figure out where they go from here. On behalf of Social Media Club Austin and Austin 501 Tech Club, I thank you for helping us wind down our HAM-up efforts with a significant contribution to the Capital Area Food Bank.



Connie Reece

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Note: your gift through this ChipIn page is not tax-deductible. If you need a receipt for income tax purposes, you must donate directly to CAFB by check or major credit card. (They are not set up to receive donations via Paypal.)