Paying it forward…or back…

A Calgary Food Bank donor connected excitedly to give us details about the family car. The car was getting on in years, and had served the family well. Would we consider auctioning it? His reasons were simple, “It is a pleasure to give back to the food bank that fed my family for the first 3 months when we first came to Canada as new immigrants.“

The Calgary Food Bank will surprise you with the (creative!) services they provide. Our Honda donor had good reason for choosing to give back to this work!

In 2019-20 the CFB cranked out 1,356 creative initiatives. These raised $3.4 million in funds and 1.8 million pounds of food.

They have food hampers and community gardens. They rescue food! I mean, This. This is beautiful: between September 2019 and August 2020 they rescued $26,809,910 worth of food (that’s 10, 311, 504 pounds)!

Visit their website, find them on Face Book, and give your local food bank some love. They are helping in very real and very timely ways.

From auction block to lunch box

We are careful about how we assign donated cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles. Like you, we want to see the highest dollar outcome for each charity. Our experience, our agents, and the ever-fluctuating market direct us in this.

Can the car be re-sold? If the mileage is below 200,000 kms and she’s lookin’ good, we can likely auction or re-sell. Running strong, less than 10 years old? The auction block and buyer buzz will have us on track for strong donation dollars.

If the vehicle is recycle-ready (she’s tired and grumpy and wants off the road), no problem. We have agents that will manage vehicles in virtually any condition. As long as it is intact (no parts missing, please!), and has 4 tires, it’s donation-worthy!

In the case of our small car donor, it was auction time. In less than two weeks, our donor’s car went from submission form to auction platform. And…SOLD! For a donation outcome of over $1,000.00!

This gift will be sent to the Calgary Food Bank this month-end. From submission form, to auction platform, to lunchbox. It’s just that easy!

Goodness is how Canadians roll

We have a series of emails that we use to keep donors in the loop on their donation process. Our CFB donor has been excitedly tracking his step-by-step process, “Thank you for making my dream of touching lives come true.” And that’s it, right? We all really do want to bring a little gentleness and support into each others’ lives.

Your local food bank is one simple way to contribute to your community directly.

Perhaps you and your family are experiencing food insecurity in these wobbly times?

The Calgary Food Bank advises,

“Please call 403-253-2055 to request your emergency food hamper. You must call first as hamper distribution is by appointment only.

Be prepared: we will ask some personal questions like income and basic expenses. This includes government/income supports, rent, mortgage, utilities, childcare, and medical.

Once you have called and been approved for a food hamper, our volunteers will book a you a specific time to pick-up your hamper. Hampers can be picked-up at our main location or one of our satellite locations.

You can validate your IDs virtually making it possible for a Third Party (family member, friends, volunteers, other delivery service etc) to pick-up your hamper in a more timely, safe, and convenient manner.  Find out more information about the process.“

Free tow and donation in 10 minutes

‘Ready to donate your car, truck, van, or motorcycle? Our donation form takes 10 minutes to fill out (it’s easier than setting up an online shopping membership!). Your free tow will happen in a timely manner (typically within 1-5 business days). And from there it’s just a matter of accounting and getting that gift to your charity of choice. Easy, quick, and so good for the cause you love!

The post Calgary Food Bank appeared first on Donate A Car.

Former donations processor shares her story

Several years ago I faced the crushing news that my 10 month old son had cancer. I learned he would require surgery to remove his kidney and the tumour attached to it.  He went on to be subjected to 6 months of chemotherapy to ensure all the cancerous cells were destroyed. I had driven by that hospital countless times never thinking about what actually went on there. The lives impacted daily, the challenges both families and staff faced as they cared for those in need, were not really on my radar then.

We received donations of things like a duffel bag filled with items helpful with a hospital stay. When you’re in crisis you don’t always think of the little things.

Volunteers from different organizations provided support in so many ways. We even experienced a wish being granted and my son having his dream come true – meeting Mickey Mouse! I wanted him to go swimming with the dolphins but…!

Help at the right time

In times when things look bleak and emotions are drained, charitable organizations that are established to support families like ours are invaluable. I cannot begin to tell you how much all the little things meant throughout the healing process. The donations that made those little things part of our reality were priceless gifts.

At that time my son’s prognosis was very good – a 96% chance of survival. Ten years prior to that, the survival rate was at 10% for his type of cancer. A far cry from the good news I’d been given! The education I received throughout those months created a new awareness of just how much research and development means to those in the future. Crucial donation dollars build many aspects of the process and the effects on the quality of a person’s life.

Suffice it to say my outlook has been forever altered and my compassion for others is pretty apparent. Taking on this role with Donate A Car Canada has provided an opportunity for me to see firsthand how lives are changed and impacted through the donations of others. Moreover, it allows others to give in a way that we wouldn’t always consider!

Four wheeled donations

Within each one of us is an innate desire to help others and to make a difference somehow. In an environment where ‘giving back’ seems to be the buzz word, many people are left wondering how they can do that while trying to make ends meet themselves. As we endeavour to look after our environment, change our habits and find a way to give back, Donate A Car offers a great alternative for several reasons.

1. Donating your vehicle does not require a cash outlay. Furthermore, it generates a charitable tax receipt.
2. Donating through our program affords you the opportunity to give to the charity of your choice. To that end, if you don’t see the charity you are passionate about listed, provide their information in the notes. From there we will pursue getting your charity registered with us.
3. All charities listed are registered and are in good standing with the Government of Canada.
4. We secure environmentally friendly services when recycling a vehicle is required.
5. Free towing service is available in most locations across the country. Moreover, we’ll do our utmost to find service on your behalf where it doesn’t already exist.
6. Last, but certainly not least, charities do not pay any fees whatsoever to participate in our program.

One of my most rewarding activities at Donate A Car is generating and sending cheques at the end of each month to our charities, knowing that we too are making a difference in people’s lives both nationally and internationally. It’s a pretty cool feeling.

You may never fully know the impact you are having on others through your donations but believe me when I say, we who are on the receiving end of your generosity are truly grateful!

The post Donations DO Make a Difference! appeared first on Donate A Car.