Ask Annie for Feb. 25, 2004 Dear Annie,
Once before you reminded us to take school supplies to the food banks, and someone else suggested pet food. What I do now is buy children's clothing items that are on clearance, like mittens and gloves right now, and donate them. I found such a good deal on little girls' underpants I bought six packages and donated them, and I thought the lady at the food bank was going to cry. I've been in the position of needing help before and I remember that it was the hardest thing, my kids needing stuff I couldn't provide. Maybe your readers will start picking up items for kids of families in need, like Valentines in February and egg dye before Easter. It doesn't have to cost much, but it'll make a big difference in some poor people's lives.
Ruth G., Naches, WA
Dear Ruth,
What a good idea! If my readers are like me, remembering to buy the stuff is only half the battle. Getting it there's the other half, so here's what I do. I don't even try to make sure the food bank is open, I just put my bags and packages in front of the building it's in on my way to work. True, someone may go by and take it, but if they need the cans of chili and packs of pencils I was going to donate that bad, they're welcome to it. Now, mind you I'm talking about leaving new, desirable objects and food, not your old junk. I don't want to be responsible for those of you who may be a bit corrupt pawning your garbage off on those poor food banks and patting yourself on the back for it. They've got enough to deal with! Readers could also donate children's items directly to the schools.
Annie
Please write to: Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328
E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com
Past Ask Annies:
Feb. 25, 2004 Give Kid's Items to Food Bank
Jan. 28, 2004 Bad Phone Manners
Jan. 21, 2004 Avoid Church Because of Flu?
Jan. 14, 2004 Boyfriend Breakup But Gift, Also Relative Tells Private Life
Dec. 24, 2003 Memories of Good Parents
Dec. 17, 2003 Christmas Gift for Wife?
Dec. 10, 2003 Thanks to Food Bank Helpers
Dec. 3, 2003 Child's Names on Belongings & Appreciating Family at Holidays
Nov. 26, 2003 Big Family Thanksgiving with Paper Plates
Nov. 12, 2003 Husband Driven Nuts To Do Crafts By Wife
Nov. 5, 2003 Dreading Husband's Retirement
Oct. 29, 2003 Move back home from boyfriend's house?
Oct. 22, 2003 Did I raise my daughter to do these things?
Oct. 15, 2003 Misunderstanding about School Workers' Kindness
Oct. 8, 2003 Prayer for Brown Sisters Killed and Change Schoolyear to Oct.1 to June 30
Oct. 1, 2003 Response About Non-tipping Lotto Winner
Sept. 24, 2003 Church-goers Inattentive
Sept. 17, 2003 Friend Sells My Stuff on Ebay
Sept. 10, 2003 Lottery Winner Didn't Tip Clerk
Sept. 3, 2003 Business Insults to Consumers
Aug. 27, 2003 Divison of Wedding Expense
Aug. 20, 2003 School Workers' Kindness & Men's Attractiveness
Aug. 13, 2003 Attractiveness Hints
Aug. 6, 2003 Annie's Husband's Accident at Work
July 30, 2003 Deer Automatic Sprinkler Best & Stores Don't Stock Washington Clothes
July 23, 2003 Scarecrows and Halloween Decorations Scare Off Prowlers Too
July 16, 2003 Redhead Asks Attractiveness Advice
July 2, 2002 Atomatic Deer Scarecrow Blasts Prowler