Continuing the Debate...

     So after today’s presentations, I think it is hitting me a lot harder that we are in a position to make a decision that will really affect other people’s lives. Seeing the presenters’ dedication and enthusiasm for what they do, and seeing how happy they were when we complimented them on the strengths of their presentations made this decision seem much more real, and not a contrived experience to employ the theory we’ve learned all semester. With that said, I’d just like to reflect on the things I heard today and maybe continue the discussion we all so eagerly wanted to have at the end of class.

     I’ll start with the Hope Dispensary. I thought it was a very well thought out, comprehensive presentation. I loved that they took the time to explain the healthcare system to us, and explained to us that not all low-income individuals qualify for government assistance. I think they are a one-of-a-kind organization, unlike the many food pantries, children centers, etc., that serves a very basic community need. They are focused on systemic change, not just providing temporary relief. Although this was not the most charismatic duo, they seemed just as passionate and chose to work in this field instead of making a larger salary in the for-profit sector. Also, as for operating costs, I don’t think this should dissuade us from donating, but I do think a more concrete breakdown of their expenses would be nice. However, we can’t expect them to continue the good work that they do if they can’t afford to pay their talented staff, their rent, or their electric bill, etc. Lastly, I wish they had more information on their outcomes, such as the number of people that have “graduated” from their programs. I would also be curious to know how many people they serve, or have served overall.

     I liked how the Family Enrichment Network focused on numbers and they were very clear with the breakdown of what they were asking us to fund. The prices of individual toys make it very easy to see exactly the impact our donation can have. They seem to serve a significant number of kids and are based in many locations, serving a wide area. It also looks like they have a solid structure and competent management, considering their growth from decades ago to now. I think it’s great that they collect data three or four times a year depending on the program, but I wish they were better able to work with the schools or the parents to collect data from children that were no longer using their services. They seemed to have a good system in place for keeping these toys in good condition and usable for a long time.

     Lastly, as we all agreed, I found Debbie from the Soup and Sandwich Program very engaging and energetic. I think she told her story well and very effectively illustrated the effect her organization has on their “guests” and volunteers. However, and this is a big however, I do not think that we should get too carried away by her likability. The presenter’s personality is not indicative of the organization’s effectiveness, responsibility, or importance to the community. I personally am not a fan of anecdotal evidence. It certainly has its place, especially when trying to get a feel for an organization, but I think the numbers and outcomes are most important. Anecdotes are not necessarily representative of all people served. Debbie didn’t have any numbers for the impact they had on the community, and granted I’m not sure how one would quantify their impact, but I think this is much more persuasive than a feel-good story. Overall, I think this organization is providing temporary relief for a systemic problem. This organization is not taking steps toward solving poverty or hunger, but providing one meal a week to anyone who stops by. I also think it is very telling that their funding was recently cut by donors who decided to donate to other, larger food providers in the community.

     In conclusion, I think the most important organizations are those with solid results reporting and those working towards systemic change in a certain issue area. I think the Hope Dispensary is the closest to fulfilling these requirements, despite the fact that they need improved results reporting. I think we can expect this from them in the near future and we should be slightly forgiving right now since they are a newer organization. What do you think?