Helping To Feed The Hungry This Easter
Life-Changing Easter Meal - Just $2.59
Easter is just a few short weeks away and the Union Gospel Mission needs your help. The Mission will be providing over 41,900 hot meals and other life-changing services to hungry, hurting and homeless men, women and children in the Greater Vancouver area during the next few weeks.
The Union Gospel Mission has been helping the less fortunate since 1940. They are an organization that I support and I’m asking you to join me in helping to feed the hungry this Easter. A complete meal cost just $2.59. This is an amount I believe we can all afford.
I Will Match Your Donation
I was wondering how I could help the Mission more this Easter and I’ve came up with an evil plan. I will match every dollar donated by the John Chow dot Com community up to a maximum of $500.00. Simply make a donation at UGM’s online donation page, then email me a copy of the email receipt. Feel free to leave a comment about your donation as well. For tax reasons, some readers in the US may want to donate to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. That is fine; I will match donations to them as well.
This is the evil part of the plan: all readers making donations will be recognized in a blog post this Friday. If you have a website or blog, I will link to it. I grew up in the Downtown Eastside, the poorest neighborhood in Canada. I did not come from money. I am where I am today because I know that in order to receive any blessings in life, you must first give.
April 8 is just around the corner. The meals and other services we provide can be the start of a new life and new beginning for those in need. Let’s show the Union Gospel Mission that the John Chow dot Com community cares.
Vancouver’s Union Gospel Mission • Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
*Update - If you wishes to make a donation using PayPal, you may do so by sending the funds to johnchow@johnchow.com and I’ll add it all together and write the UGM a check for the total amount.
- Posted in Ramblings
- 87 comments what's your take?
Related posts from the blog
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Loading ...
A very nice gesture John, sadly neither of the websites accept Paypal at this moment and since I’m too young for a Credit Card I’ll have to pass on this one - I’ll be glad to contribute double next year *18 then, hurray*
Reply to this commentMan, I hope to be able to do something like this one day. Having my online monetization be successful like John’s TTZ and blog. I will try to make a donation, but I’m not promising anything. A very nice gesture John, indeed
Reply to this commentSounds like a good way to help. Going to make a donation now
Reply to this commentDitto…especially since John is matching. However, I’ll be making most of my donations (as usual) to similar programs in my community. Very glad to see you doing your part and then some, John.
Reply to this commentI like the idea of returning back to society. Yet, how I wish they had an option for Paypal as well!
Reply to this commentMaybe someone with a Paypal account (a trusted source) could collect payments and donate on behalf of the other people. They would have to be trusted that they would actually make payment though
Reply to this commentAre u volunteering?
Reply to this commentI could… but I am not too well known around here. When it comes to handling others money I think it needs to be someone else (Maybe John ;))
Reply to this commentWell, that is what I was thing as well. Or actually, someone can voice this issue out to the organization. Who knows? Maybe they will go get one.
Reply to this commentThat’s good…If somebody trusted can volunteer…..Must do it in an organized and transparent manner….
Reply to this commentJohn could I send the funds to you via Paypal? I would like to donate this option:
$51.80 to feed 20 people at Easter Dinner
Let me know. You know my email.
Reply to this commenttoo bad they dont accept paypal
Reply to this commentYou have voiced out my feelings as well.
Reply to this commentIt’s retarded how they don’t accept paypal.. that’s odd.
Reply to this commentChurch’s aren’t usually technically savvy Jeff. Specialization…they specialize in giving. Its up to us to specialize in donating to them. Now who’ll handle the tech? I nominate John Chow.
Reply to this commentGet a PayPal debit card–that’s what I used.
Reply to this commentGood thought John. I have done my small bit by making a contribution.
Reply to this commentThis is really cool of you John. Pat yourself on the back!
Reply to this commentJohn has indirectly convey the donation message and that’s a very good deed to be done by a very special person.
If the readers cannot give donation due to no Credit Card reason, or no paypal or what ever reasons…you can always donate the easy way, not necessarily to Gospel, but to other institutions…that may need some other help….
If you don’t have the money now,,, you can donate later when the you get your google adsense or other cheques….you can also donate by giving useful item/material ….there’re actually a lot’s of way to donate to various parties in need.
Reply to this commentHaha he counters the evil.
Reply to this commentI love this approach. I should consider it, and start doing more evil things as well.
Reply to this commentHumanitarian efforts from the Axis of Evil!
Reply to this commentIt’s a shame I don’t believe in domestic charity whatsoever.
If you ended up starving in a country like Canada you deserve no help.
Reply to this commentYou never know. One can’t assume that just because the country is way better off, thus everyone are well-off. A minority will always exist, and needs help.
Reply to this commentI do not believe in religion (see post below) but I still donated. The system fails and there will always be a place for charity. Read the book Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, and you will see the impossible situation the working poor are faced with in the US and most likely Canada.
Reply to this commentFor some reason people do end up starving in countries where you wouldnt have thought it should happen. There are too many factors to consider before the blame can be passed on to them. I personally think it’s best to help where you can.
Reply to this commentI agree with you, Matt. One just can’t assume.
Reply to this commentI saved all the money that I could have donated for bums.
I went to a fundraiser for my friend’s trip to the gymnastics competition in Ottawa. THe ticket was $12 - I paid $20.
My friend Drew says “yeah good stuff. May as well pay for Chris and his team’s trip than for some druggy who will use it for a cheap shot of heroin”
Reply to this commentI come from a country where it’s a lot harder to get even a basic job and be guaranteed the basics.
Of course the general North American mentality often involves donating things and helping others but it seems it’s more for achieving a sense of self-righteousness more than anything else.
The general scope of the capitalist world involves competition and Canada offers a great economy and a very socialist swing in its public policies and systems.
Of course, there are a certain percentage of people who were just unlucky but most people are there for their own reasons.
The world is an unfair place - and I’m not really willing to give out any of my pennies because they “might” be unlucky.
I got kicked out of home at the age of 18, with less than $500 in my pocket. Paid my first months’ rent. Got a job. Moved on, and now I live in Yaletown at the age of 21. I crawled up from the bottoms, which is another reason why I don’t sympathize with homelessness in Vancouver etc.
I could go on about the social structure, the economic structure of competition etc. from a very philosophical and theoretical point of view but I’ll save you the trouble - I’ll summarize it - I’ve lived in 3 different countries spanning across the East and West in my life, I’m well read, and I’ve been to many different countries. I see such a soft, dreamer-like attitude in some people here but I disagree with it. That’ll do.
Reply to this commentgreat idea John
Reply to this commentVery kind of you John
Reply to this commentJohn shows the world once again that he’s not 100% evil - only 99.99%
$2.59 for a link from JohnChow.com - that’s not a whole lot + you’re helping out and that’s always nice. I might donate a meal or two… but like others have said, it would be great if they would accept PayPal. John, maybe you can pull some strings and see if they can set up a PayPal account?
But you said “..just a short week away” - you probably meant “just a short month away”, right? Or do Canadians have a special Easter?
Reply to this commentI guess he was emphasizing on how soon the help has to be in.
Reply to this commentHannes you are real funny man.. Any way John is upto something good. I am sad that since I dont have a Credit Card right now (Pay Pal got no money in it) I cant donate
Reply to this commentI am not religious at all, but I still made a donation since I know that religious groups do not discriminate amongst the hungry (at least I hope not). I was hesitant to give to a church, but on the other hand I believe this to be a good cause for humanity. I only hope it is not a way for these missionaries to track me down and evangelize to me.
Reply to this commentI’m in for 4 meals, one for each person in my family. Thanks for the opportunity to donate John.
Reply to this commentHmm.. nice knowing you did some social works here too John. Unfortunately, I’m living in a far away land.
Reply to this commentMe Too, for stuff like this I prefer to give to local charities, I suppose thats a bit mean, I could give to both….
Its a great idea though, I definately think a paypal option would be useful
Reply to this commentKeep this up and you’ll be known as the root of all virtue
Reply to this commentYeah, I always amazed reading all the good ideas that came out from his evil mind.
Reply to this commentGood cause here, John, and $19.20 feeds and cares for 10 people.
It’s great the know that if even just 10 people donate that helps at least 100 people. I did this, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.
Reply to this commentWas that fat finger or US$ or what? My meat calculator said you need $25.9 to feed 10 people. But hey, better you than me. You have made donations and that was what counts. Good for you.
Reply to this commentI’m in the US so I made my donation to the group in Seattle. That’s how much they said goes to care for 10 people.
http://www.ugm.org/
Reply to this commentThanks for the link. How did you email John Chow after making the donation? His Contact Us page does not accept the attachment.
Reply to this commentI just copy and pasted the text.
Reply to this commentHe has a heart? I don’t believe it.
Reply to this commentEvil or good, everyone has one!
Reply to this commentUntil they add a sweet heart then they’d have two.
Reply to this commentGreat one John. Unfortunately I won’t be able to take part in this. Too much technical difficulties to get money from Suriname to anywhere in the world, especially for such low amounts.
Reply to this commentNice gesture, John! However, I just wonder, was that the evil part in this plan that drove the comment numbers down or what?
BTW, could a donations to local soup kitchen count if we email you the receipt?
Reply to this commentDown? It looks to be on the rise instead!
Reply to this commentYeah, you’re right. Just notice that the number is rising now especially the evil one (like me) start to innundate (not spam
) this comment post to increase the number of their comments with the hope to lower their Technorati rating. Ok, I’d better stop here before making someone mad. 
Reply to this commentJust donated for 10 meals. Great idea. Wish they took paypal. I’m not into having so many cards in my wallet to get a PayPal debit card. My wallet already looks like George Costanza!
Reply to this commentHahaha! Join the club.
Reply to this commentDo they consider reading John Chow’s comment as an addiction to blog?
John, why don’t you charge, 1 comments for 1 donation otherwise the comment will be removed?
Reply to this commentGreat way to give back some of that $7,011.05 from February
No but really, good idea John. Thanks again for participating in my Monthly Blog Revenue Study.
Reply to this commentWonderfully evil John. I applaud your efforts to use your influence to help those who need it.
Reply to this commentDone. Just fed 10 people through the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. Now I’m off to feed myself.
Reply to this comment$186.56 so far in donations. You people are awesome!
Reply to this commentThat is some money indeed in a short period of time from posting! er.. 3 hours?
Reply to this commentShould be more than $200 now.
Reply to this commentwow..
in that little time!!
Reply to this commentSheesh. That’s pretty awesome actually.
Reply to this commentHey everybody,
My name is Kevan – I work in UGM’s communications department, and help oversee the website. All your suggestions about PayPal are smart and in-touch. I’ve just contacted our technical support team and asked them to look into getting PayPal running on the site. We use Moneris to manage our donations, and it’s synched up with an internal database that manages our donors. I’d imagine it will take a bit of figuring to work out PayPal on our system (maybe a week or so?), but I’d love to hear your suggestions if you have any.
Thanks again for being so generous, everybody. And John, you’re an amazing guy for spearheading this. I’ll be writing & publishing another news release for our front page again to give you due credit.
- kevan
Reply to this commentKevan, you are welcome. Hope you folks reached the target that you are aiming for!
Reply to this commentDitto! Best of luck, Kevan.
Reply to this commentI donated $10.50. Not a whole lot, but it’ll pay for four meals, I believe, if my math is on.
Reply to this commentIt’s not the number that count.
After all, John only asked for one and you have done for one. Good job!
Reply to this commentSorry, that was fat finger. I mean you have done for 4.
Reply to this commentThe number may be even larger than you think. I donated to the Seattle branch and haven’t forwarded the email yet. I figure why not — tax-deductible and a good cause and a link from high traffic website? It’s a no-brainer.
Reply to this commentJohn, what’s wrong. I keep getting this “Done, but with errors on page” at the bottom of this page. Is that IE 6.0 problem again?
Reply to this commentExcellent idea, I just submitted my transfer from bank to Paypal so I will be making a donation in just a few days when the transfer is complete
Reply to this commentI have received emails totaling $356.32 in donations now! WOW! I’m blown away!
Reply to this commentI think it will be over 1K in member donations. Thats my little prediction.
Reply to this commentMaybe John should raise his $500 cap
I’ll be tossing in my donation later this afternoon.
Reply to this comment“Can I get a thousand? 500 to the man in the black turtleneck with horns and red eyes. Do I hear 1,000?”
Reply to this commentA great idea John!
I called the Union Gospel Mission to see if they were going to set up PayPal to accept donations. They are going to try to get one set up in the Vancouver UGM.
Reply to this commentIt’d really help if they set up some form of paypal. If they did, I might feel generous again and send more money. *shrug*
Reply to this commentI normally donate to the missionaries of charity, but I just made a small donation for the vancouver mission.
Reply to this commentHey
Great idea John, and some great publicity you are offering the mission. See, not so evil after all!
I have donated $25.90 for the 10 meals.
Reply to this commentWith 7K last month from your blog’s earning, many people will thank you for all the hot meals.
Reply to this commentI just sent in my donation.
Reply to this comment