I have to stop saying the word “Wow.” But it’s just so energizing, so inspiring, so heartening when I find so many people who want to help, strangers who are pledging to donate food to their local food banks to be a part of the Avenue Z Virtual Food Drive.

I’m having trouble keeping up with all the pledges, but I think as of right now, I have received 2,840 pounds of pledges from all over the country, plus another $200 that I don’t exactly know how to convert to poundage. That’s with me getting the math right (I’m using a spreadsheet now), plus upping what I think I’m going to be able to collect here in sunny San Diego (you’ve inspired me so much I’m going to shoot for 200 pounds instead of 100! Collected about 30 so far).

My original goal was ONE TON, or 2,000 pounds, but a ONE TON contribution from the generous couple behind DrGreene.com made me double my goal. So now I want TWO TONS…. that’s 4,000 pounds of pledges to donate. My motto: Give where you live, then leave a comment below.

Here are a few moments from the days on the Food Drive trail:

  1. Dr. and Mrs. Greene made me cry when they donated ONE TON in honor of their daughter, Claire, whose high school is trying to set the record for the largest drive ever.
  2. A woman ran down the street with cans to add to her donation when I was walking door to door this afternoon.
  3. I’m afraid I don’t know what to wear to solicit donations. Earlier this week I accosted … err… approached my neighbors while I was wearing my PJs, and today I got back from a brunch and set out for a half an hour — in high heels and dress clothes.
  4. Each and every person who answered the door in my neighborhood either donated immediately or promised to come by. People really want to help! Just ask. It took 30 minutes to collect 20 pounds of food. Small effort that gives big payoffs.
  5. I always knew my neighbors were nice, but they’re exceeding my expectations. Jenny sent notices to her strong community of friends. Sondra volunteered to be a drop-off center. Up the Street Pete donated bins and is in charge of a collection spot. Ben from So Cal Free Net put a notice up on the term acceptance page for the free internet service in our area, and good buddy Craig laminated signs for me and is managing a bin in his building. Attention single folks… all these caring folks are single, caring, intelligent, incredibly good looking and interested in moonlit walks on the beaches of San Diego. Write me for details.

Special thanks to the Twitter community, where the message has been tweeted and retweeted to … oh, I would guess 50k people. No, really. 50k people. I’m amazed at the progress that we’ve made so far, but if 50k people have seen the link, perhaps we’ll see the donations increase?

Here’s a short list of organizations that have received  pledges/donations on behalf of the Virtual Food Drive. Please Give where you live and comment below to be counted. And please spread the word!

  • San Diego Food Bank

    Ladle Fellowship

    Salvation Army

    Union Rescue Mission

    Metropolitan Ministries

    Greater Chicago Food Depository

    Food Bank of the Rockies

    Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom, CA

    Ronald McDonald House

    Grafton, MA, Public Library

    Northwest Harvest

    Tim Horton’s Drive in Canada

    Roanoke, VA food bank

    Caritas of Waco, Tx

    Capital Area Food Bank in Austin, Tx

    www.matthewshelpcenter.org

    The Samaritan Inn in North Texas

    A Church in Madison, WI

    St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, AZ

    People In Need in Delaware, Ohio

    Alameda, CA, Food Bank

    Second Harvest in the San Mateo High School drive