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Thinking Local – Another Way to Support Our Community

Did you know that several recent economic studies clearly show that when you buy from locally owned businesses more of your money stays in the community? A study in Salt Lake City showed that 79 percent of dollars spent at local restaurants were recirculated in the community, as compared to 30 percent of the dollars spent at chain restaurants. And 52 percent of dollars spent at other locally owned businesses stayed local, while only 14 percent of dollars spent at other chain stores remained in the community.

SHOP LOCAL

Spending your dollars right here with local businesses helps keep our friends and neighbors employed, which is especially important as we try to rebuild our community after the devastating Redwood Complex Fires.  

With the holidays fast approaching, now is the perfect time to think local.   

And while shopping locally is a great start, I’d also like you to consider giving locally. Giving locally is one of the mainstays that truly keeps our community great.

CHECK OUT CHARITIES

Each year during the holidays (or after a significant disaster), many charitable organizations ask for donations. Although most of the people who ask for donations represent deserving charities, some of these people use the holidays or a disaster to take advantage of our generous nature by representing bogus charities.

If you decide to give, please  remember these tips:

  • Be an informed giver. Ask questions before you give.

  • Refuse high-pressure appeals. Legitimate charities won't rush you.

  • Ask for written information. A legitimate charity is always willing to send information.

  • Look up the phone number independently and call the charity back to verify before you give.

  • Watch out for similar sounding names. Scam artists use names that look like respected charities, but aren’t.

  • Don't send cash. Make your donation by check.  

  • Consider volunteering. Giving your time can be as valuable as giving your money.

  • Before you give, learn about the organization: its activities and its fundraising practices.

SUPPORT LOCAL NON-PROFITS

One worthy organization that needs donations this time of year is the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort. They are in the midst of collecting toys, food, and funding to help local families by providing toys and a nutritious holiday meal to those in need this Christmas. Before they can help hundreds of families, they need our help–they need our donations.

Send donations to the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort at P.O. Box 801, Ukiah, CA 95482. Learn more by visitng the Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort’s Facebook page or by contacting President Sheryl Graves at (707) 272-9627 or ukiahchristmaseffort@yahoo.com.

Another great place to donate locally is to the Ukiah Food Bank. The Ukiah Daily Journal will kick off its annual Food Bank Fund Drive on Thanksgiving weekend to ensure our local food bank has the resources it needs to deliver food to those who would otherwise go hungry in our community.

Jacque Williams, the Executive Director of the Ukiah Community Center and Ford Street Project, told me that when people give to the Ukiah Food Bank, their dollars stay local. She said, “When people give, they’re giving back to their own community.”

Each month, the Food Bank serves an average of more than 1,500 residents in inland Mendocino County: 51 percent are families with children, 21 percent are seniors, and 28 percent are individual households.

Jacque said that every dollar donated to the Food Bank Fund Drive goes directly to providing food at the Food Bank. She encourages community members to donate. Even if they can’t afford monetary donations, the Food Bank is always in need of canned goods and non-perishable food staples.

Donations can be made by dropping off a check payable to the Ukiah Food Bank at the Ukiah Daily Journal Office at 617 S. State Street or at the Food Bank at 888 N. State Street.

As always, our mission at UPD is simple: to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you have suggestions on how we can improve please feel free to call me. If you would like to know more about crime in your neighborhood, you can sign up for telephone, cell phone and email notifications by clicking the Nixle button on our website: www.ukiahpolice.com. 

 


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