This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Can You Spare Some Change?

Local nonprofit helps shelters, families one donation at a time.

In January of 2007, Lynnfield resident Dorothy Goodwin watched President Obama discuss "change" in a debate during the primary elections.  His message prompted the question - what type of changes she could make on a smaller level and closer to home? 

It was a little while later that she saw a jar of change in her cabinet and Goodwin thought – what if everyone donated their spare change to a charitable cause? How much money would be collected?  Goodwin brought the idea to the women in her meditation class and soon after, the idea for , Inc. was conceived.

A New Local Nonprofit

Find out what's happening in Lynnfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Goodwin and her team wanted to form their group around the idea of asking people for what they already had.  By collecting change people kept in coin jars throughout the year, the group believed they would end up with a significant amount of money to donate to local food pantries. 

Goodwin and the other founders of Gathering Change Inc., quickly learned that it was not as simple as beginning to collecting money and distributing it where needed. They first had to become a 501(c)(3), meaning they would be recognized as a nonprofit organization by the IRS.  For this approval they needed board members, and paperwork had to be filed. 

Find out what's happening in Lynnfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Not long after, the fledgling nonprofit formed a board, which currently consists of 12 working members. They came up with a mission statement and with the help of Yvonne Blacker, a graphic artist and now co-chair of media/publicity for the group, Gathering Change Inc. gained a logo and a real sense of identity. 

A Change In Strategy

The group's original idea asked for people to host gatherings at their home during one week in October.  Gathering Change Inc. would provide invitations (as well as thank you notes) for the event and guests would bring bags of their spare change for donation.  At these gatherings, $300-$1000 could be raised.  Recently $1,900 was collected at such a gathering in Westborough. 

Consistent with the group's motto, "neighbors helping neighbors," the money collected stays in the town, going to the local food pantry, where the gathering was held.  This way, people are providing their change to help those struggling in their own communities.   

Judy Bousquin, co-chair of media/publicity, explains "This is huge for the food pantry," in reference to the money raised at each gathering.  For every dollar donated to a food pantry, they are able to buy $4 worth of food from food banks, so the money really goes a long way.

It wasn't long before Gathering Change Inc. expanded their idea and hosted many more fundraising events.  "There are 625,000 people in Massachusetts that are not food secure," Goodwin explained. "This number means 1 in every 10 children." 

Group's Efforts Paying Off

Therefore, when Gathering Change Inc. enjoyed great success after their first collection in 2008, the group wanted to expand their reach and efforts.  Currently they operate in about 38 different communities and continue expanding into other cities and towns. 

Recently the group worked to raise money for basic toiletries, such as tooth brushes and soap.  Goodwin explains that most people can't leave their house without brushing their teeth or cleaning themselves.  Bousquin says "There were some people that were using the food pantries that weren't able to present themselves in an interview to get a job." 

Bousquin emphasizes the importance of helping these people prepare themselves for interviews because the goal is that people who are struggling find jobs so that they are not relying on the food pantry forever.

Various Ways To Show Support

In addition to encouraging people to host a gathering to collect change, the group sells note cards, accepts donations online and has "In Memory of" and "In Honor of cards" available for people to donate in the name of a loved one. They also work with schools and churches so these community groups can collect change as well.

This month, on  December 12 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Gathering Change is hosting a Wrap for Food event at the Burlington Barnes and Noble.  The group did a previous one on December 7. At these events for a few dollars the group will wrap your holiday gifts.  All the money collected will go to local food pantries.

Blacker says that for people who struggle, they have to decide between food and other necessities.  Blacker explains, "Especially for the elderly population, sometimes they have to ask 'medication or food' when it comes to budgeting for the week."  Blacker also explains that the food people get at the pantry is often not enough for the week and can only carry a family through a couple days. 

Goodwin sums up their work by emphasizing the groups focus on basic needs.  "Everyone needs food, fuel, clothing and support," she says, "and this is where we focus our efforts."  Gathering Change Inc. continues to grow and spread their help throughout Massachusetts. 

For more information about the group and how you can get involved or support their mission, be sure to check out their website at http://www.gatheringchangeinc.org/.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?