What Pick. Click. Give. Can Do for Alaska Nonprofits

Food Bank of Alaska received $28,000 from donations made through the PFD Charitable Contributions Program. That means that thousands of Alaskans picked the Food Bank, clicked on their listing when applying for their PFD online last January, and gave to them.

But what does this REALLY mean to the organization? We had the opportunity to interview the folks at Food Bank of Alaska about Pick. Click. Give. 2009.

Name: Marleah LaBelle
Title: Communications Manager
Organization: Food Bank of Alaska
URL: www.foodbankofalaska.org
Org Facebook: www.facebook.com/foodbankofalaska

What did Food Bank of Alaska received through the 2009 PFD Charitable Contributions Program and what are those funds going to?

What does $28,000 mean to Food Bank of Alaska?

• We could purchase 2,800 turkeys. (Food Bank of Alaska purchases 16,000 turkeys for holiday food distributions that occur in Anchorage and across the state);
   
• It would allow us to pay for shipping costs of U.S.D.A. commodities to rural Alaska for one month;
• It will help us keep our four trucks running smoothly on the road for three months (includes fuel, maintenance and insurance).

Why is a program like Pick. Click. Give. important for Alaska nonprofits?

Pick. Click. Give. is important for Alaska nonprofits because it provides much needed funding and diversifies sources of funding. It also allows Alaskans to support their favorite nonprofits easily.

What is the actual impact of individual donors to an Alaska nonprofit and to the Food Bank?

The impact an individual donor has on Food Bank of Alaska is to help us achieve our mission and our belief that “No one deserves to be hungry.” For every dollar donated, Food Bank of Alaska can access 5 pounds of food.

What is the Food Bank of Alaska doing this year to incorporate Pick. Click. Give. into their outreach?

Food Bank of Alaska will make the information available on our website and through our Facebook Fan page. We will also include the information in our monthly Volunteer newsletter and our Advocacy Alerts.

What other tips would you give to Alaska nonprofits in terms of leveraging Pick. Click. Give. for their organization?

Communicate clearly with your constituents the organizations’ mission and manage your brand closely. Communicate with donors and media regularly to capitalize on awareness.

What would you say to Alaskans about the importance of individual philanthropy and how Pick. Click. Give. can help?

Individual philanthropy shows us how strong a community is – how much neighbors care about the community and about one another. Donations can help feed hungry Alaskans, or help a senior with heating assistance, or provide books for children from low income families. They are all gifts that make life a little better for our neighbors, and in turn, our community.

Have you Picked YOUR Click for January 2010?