Monetary donations to local charities deliver more bang for bucks

Connie Mercer, founder and executive director of Home Front, owns a standard line during the holiday season.

“We receive so many cans of cranberry sauce during Thanksgiving that there’s enough to feed our clients the year round. Of course, we’re grateful for all donations. We really need healthy foods that can support our efforts,” Mercer notes.

A s Thanksgiving approaches and hearts open, food donations become a typical response. Trenton Area Soup Kitchen overwhelms with contributions of canned goods and boxes of various food stuffs although one gift remains powerful and popular — money.

Instead of pulling out canned goods from the back of your pantry or kitchen cabinets, a simple financial donation, even just one dollar, can make a huge impact.in the area’s fight against hunger.

Most local food fighters can turn a gift of one dollar into six dollars. So, if a contributor buys a can of green beans for one dollar, someone like Mercer or Joyce Campbell, executive director for TASK and Mercer Street Food Bank Director Dr. Denalerie Johnson-Faniel can purchase six cans of beans. Think about this. A $10 donation turns into $60. Or, a $100 contribution owns $600 value. That’s power. Big bang for bucks.

So, consider making a financial donation to these institutions or other area initiatives that fight food insecurity.

While Black Friday features madding crowds of people looking for Christmas gifts, remember Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27. Give a donation to local organizations and charities or make a contribution of time and energy to your community, neighborhood or block.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.