Sometimes we tend to minimize the importance of all the additional areas needed to keep an organization like WAFER up and running. While food donations are the mainstay of what we require to assure everyone in the Coulee Region has enough to eat, we also need significant funds and in-kind donations in order to keep our doors open.
Many of our expenses are no different than those of any other business. We pay for utilities, wages, building upkeep, and snow removal. However, we also regularly have nine freezers and coolers (about half are commercial units and most are fairly old) serviced. We pick up food donations on a near daily basis, so fill the WAFER van gas tank regularly.
One area not often publicized is the amount of free or discounted services WAFER receives that are not directly food related. These donations and vendor relationships are equally as important to WAFER’s survival as are the thousands of pounds of donated food that come our way. In the last few months, local businesses have been kind enough to furnish database services, parking lot gravel, printer paper, two toilets and installation, spiral binding, and computer upkeep. WAFER receives discounts on electrical work, building repairs, and outside printing services. (Donated items and services are listed in detail on our website and in the WAFER newsletter).
Food donations seem to get all the glory; we highlight those of significant poundage and know WAFER would not exist without them. Remember though, that all that food needs to be stored and distributed and that simply opening our doors each morning is the result of another level of donors who simply do not get thanked enough. Here’s a start to that.
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