Canned food drive for equality: Join the Impact Napa

Napa County's newest queer movement, Join the Impact, continues its good work in December by helping Napa's Food Bank.

I have appreciation for Join the Impact for multiple reasons--let alone that it was started by a young blogger--and mostly because it was started as a positive response to Prop 8's passing. Sure, we're hurt and we're angry and rejected, etc. But what better way to get Californian's behind us than through positive messaging and community service among our other activism...

The latest effort brings two of my favorite things together: spreading the love for the Holidays and positive visibility for Napa's queer (LGBTQ) community. This is especially good after the recent negative publicity surrounding the H8wallofshame.

Whoever commented on our post about the Wall of Shame was right on with how I think about things:

Let's take positive steps. Get out and be visible. Help the community. Show them (those that voted “yes” with their ballots and/or their money) that we are (both figuratively and actually) their mothers and fathers; their brothers and sisters; their sons and daughters; their aunts and uncles; their employers and employees; their neighbors and friends.

...and especially, that we are equal part s of and care about the betterment of our one community.

Here's an update on the Food Drive for Equality:

The donations are coming in! You’re doing a great job and a great thing for equality! As of Sunday morning, December 7 we’ve received 294 items.

In case you have absolutely no idea what this is about, see our previous post: "Raid your pantry for equality".

So here are a few more ways to help:
Continue To Make Purchases On Amazon.com

Here’s the link again: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3SB2YX3NAE6H4

We’ll Pick Up Your Donation

Maybe you’re not an Amazon.com regular. Maybe you have some non-perishable food items around the house. Maybe you made a special grocery or Costco run just for this cause. Just send an email to jti-napa@comcast.net with your name, street address and daytime telephone number. We’ll pick up your donation on Friday, December 12, 2008. Just put it out before 8:00 am somewhere we can see it/access it and label it “FDE” (that stands for Food Drive for Equality.) We’ll send you an email reminder the day before.

Drop Off Your Donation

We’ll have folks collecting donations (non-perishable food and cash) at the following locations this week:

• Tuesday, December 9 – Taylor’s Refresher at Oxbow Market (644 First Street, Napa) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Feel free to hang out with us for discounts on cheeseburgers, wine and beer – it’s Local’s Night at Oxbow! – there is method to our madness!)
• Thursday, December 11 – Bel-Aire Plaza (Highway 29 and Trancas) from 7:00 am to 9:00 am (We’ll be in the parking lot near the Caffino’s Coffee kiosk)
• Friday, December 12 – South Napa Marketplace (Imola and Soscal) from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (We’ll be in the parking lot near the Jamba Juice)

Help With Pick-up Or At The Drop Off Locations

Let’s have some fun and meet some of our neighbors. Send an email to jti-napa@comcast.net if you’re interested in helping pick-up donations on Friday, December 12 or staffing the drop-off locations mentioned above.

Help With Stickering And Prep

Come to my garage in the Sheveland Ranch (south Napa) area on Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We’ll get everything ready to go to the Food Bank. If you can participate please send an email to jti-napa@comcast.net for directions.

Help With Delivery

Unfortunately, the food bank is only open during the week. We’ll make probably the first and biggest delivery on the morning of Monday, December 15. If you’re interested in packing up, loading and delivering the donations please send an email to jti-napa@comcast.net. If you can bring your truck or van please let me know.

Let Your Friends And Family Know

The Food Drive is a national event. Let folks outside the area know about it. Encourage them to visit http://jointheimpact.com to find out how they can get involved in their area.

Visit The Local Join The Impact Web Page (and this blog) To Keep Informed

You can learn about all the Join the Impact activities in Napa County by visiting http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Napa+County

Thanks SO much for your participation and support! Let’s keep up the good work!

Rick