Day 36: Toms shoes

I donated a pair of shoes to a child in need today by purchasing a t-shirt for myself from Toms.  I love the idea of social entrepreneurship, and I can't think of too many better examples than Toms. Later this spring, I plan to purchase my second pair of Toms classic shoes--I'm planning on the off-white color. I figure they will go with a lot of capris and even skirts. My first pair of Toms (khaki green) were only mildly comfortable at first, but then I wore them to Florida and they were fantastic. I guess they just needed to be broken in. My problem, of course, is that I'm cheap. The shoes are $44, and I while I will pay that much, it's on the high end of my shoe budget. I paid $28 for the t-shirt, which I would never have done if I was not also donating a pair of shoes at the same time. Also, I bought a t-shirt from Toms last year and it is the most comfortable t-shirt I own.  I'm hoping this one will be made of the same material. In fact, my "barefoot at heart" t-shirt is so comfortable that I won't purchase t-shirts anymore unless they match the comfort level.

Day 35: Organic Tomato Soup and Butterscotch Pudding

For the final day of the Feed Love food drive, I decided to look in my own pantry and on my own shelves for items to donate. I picked a can of organic tomato basil soup and a package of butterscotch pudding. Although I had already planned on donating more Progresso soup, I thought that I should give something of my own--something I would actually eat. Both items are tasty and I didn't feel as didactic as I did when I donated cans green peas or as cheap as I did when I donated the beans and weenies.

I also noticed today that it's time to clear out the old food. Many of the cans had dates that were from 2010. I'm sure the food is still good (and if I were a character from The Road, it would taste like heaven) but I couldn;t really donate expired cans. That would be worse than didactic and worse than cheap.

Finally, I gave my student a can of Diet Green Tea Ginger Ale today. He asked why it's been sitting on my bookshelf for so long, I said because I got tired of drinking them. I offered it to him and he seemed genuinely pleased.  Funny. I don't picture most guys liking Diet Green Tea Ginger Ale.

Day 34: Soup

I donated two cans of Progresso soup to the Feed Love charity today. So far, I am still the only one who has donated to the box in my classroom. None of my first period students have managed to bring in any food items even though I noticed that several of them wore Feed Love t-shirts this year. Great idea of the t-shirt proceeds are also going to the charity.

Tomorrow morning, I will try to look in the pantry before I leave for school to see if there is anything else I can bring in for the last day of the food drive. I briefly thought of emailing my students to remind them, but I don't like being pushy. I reminded them first period today; that seems like enough. We'll see.

Day 33: donations to Feed Love, 53 cents to Ronald McDonald, add a penny

I discovered the name of the charity created by a student at Milford.  It's called Feed Love and it's designed to fall close to Valentine's Day.  Makes sense. I donated more canned goods today, but I'm dismayed that none of my students have donated yet. The majority of my students are more than able to do so. I will mention something about it tomorrow. I found out that another teacher is offering 1 point extra credit for every can students bring in. I disagree with this on an ethical level. It could very well be that some of the students in that class could be in need of charity.  Grades should never be purchased, even in kind.

I added to the Ronald McDonald fund today by giving the change from my Diet Coke to the bucket at the drive thru. Can't help thinking if the bucket were more strategically placed, more money would be donated. Gave 4 pennies to one of the take a penny/add a penny cups at Larosas tonight.  I don't really count that as donating.

Day 32: Life cereal and peanut butter

Since I knew O would be in Columbus for the day, I was sure to leave some food items in the donation box at school. I think I was trying to make up for the beans and weenies with the name brand cereal. I like Life myself, so I figured it was a fine donation.
A woman in Columbus asked for spare change on the street. I did not give her anything, and I should have. It was cold, my friends were walking ahead of me really quickly, my wallet was stuffed at the bottom of an overflowing purse. These are all ridiculous excuses.