Tonight was my first ever board meeting with Local Foods Connection. I've talked about the non-profit organization before: here, here, and here. I volunteer off and on for Laura, the woman who conceived of and runs Local Foods Connection. I try to make it down every week for at least three hours, and I would like to volunteer more often, but with my summer I've just been so busy. I plan on putting in a lot more time over the next several months as my life settles back down into the routine.

It's amazing, as ever, as I realize how little Local Foods Connection receives from the community in the form of donations and grants. Laura works as long as any person with a full-time job, and yet she makes less money than I do a year, which is mind boggling considering I don't have a job. Better yet, even though she isn't even making a real paycheck doing this job she does for practically free, she is supporting over thirty families in our community with a CSA share. Here is the report from the year 2007 on the families she supported. Here is the financial statement from the year 2007, which shows her paycheck - under employees wages. $1,847.22. How would you like to make that much a year?

If you have a little extra at any point over the next few months, even $5-15, I recommend that you find a local non-profit organization that tugs on your heart strings like Local Foods Connection tugs on mine. Can't find one? Perhaps you could donate to the political party of your choice. Or, if you are really struggling to find a way to spread the love, let me suggest Local Foods Connection.

Everyone I've met who works with and for a non-profit organization appreciates the assistance of generous people of the public. (Can't afford any money? See if you can find some way to give a little of your time. You can't do that either? That's okay - maybe some day you'll have the time or ability to do so.)

Labels: volunteering