Lowell Wish Project
This is straightforward, all-volunteer, communications-revolution philanthropy. LWP is like a food bank for furniture and other household items — a central depot to receive the goods, for dispersal by local agencies to needy families. It is supported in two ways: a network of 90 human service agencies in 14 towns, whose 400 social workers are on the lookout for needs to be fulfilled, with Internet capability to match requests with inventory. If a social worker emails a request for an item that is not available, it is compiled with others into a weekly e-newsletter that goes out to thousands of suburban donors, companies and service groups. Donors deliver the goods to LWP, who gets them to the social workers, who deliver to the clients. The economies are impressive: with a budget last year of $46,500, LWP delivered more than $300,000 worth of goods (at estimated yard sale prices) to more than 9,000 clients, of whom 8,000 were women and children. That is, for every dollar of its own operating costs, LWP delivered to clients over $6.45 worth of goods. Their productivity has been significantly increased by acquiring a 13,000 square-foot warehouse, of which they use 10,000 square feet. They need donations to secure this facility, so here is how you can help.

|