TOPIC: Fred's Mary's Hands Annual TD Charity Auction - Jan 8th-Jan 22nd 2025

I have the list mostly put together for auction winners then felt like heck - feels like I am coming down with something. I'll get the notices out to everyone Tuesday. Sorry for the delay.
Fred

Speedy recovery Fred!

Everything (excepting the onyx set, Volunteer token, and Patron token) has been packaged and shipping printed. I will drop everything off at the post office in the morning. The remaining tokens will be shipped once I get them. Thank you again everyone!

For sanity sake, I'd prefer not to send 30 emails out with tracking numbers. If anyone doesn't get their stuff by Friday, message me and I'll get you the tracking info.

Fred

Fred K wrote: Everything (excepting the onyx set, Volunteer token, and Patron token) has been packaged and shipping printed. I will drop everything off at the post office in the morning. The remaining tokens will be shipped once I get them. Thank you again everyone!

For sanity sake, I'd prefer not to send 30 emails out with tracking numbers. If anyone doesn't get their stuff by Friday, message me and I'll get you the tracking info.

Fred

Thanks, Fred, for doing so much to help the hungry! I'm looking forward to getting my token.

I'm including some photos of our first early harvests - we'll be doing this 3-5 times each week until late July (then it is 5 times per week but the produce mix changes.)

We've been able to provide strawberries, carrots, beets, cabbage, collards, and onions so far. Our garlic has been harvested (more than 1,000 plants/bulbs) and is currently curing (that will be finished in about 2 weeks.) At the same time, the tomatoes and cucumbers will come into season. We're fortunate to have volunteers to help us pick as it would be overwhelming otherwise. We're hoping to beat our record for the most produce provided to food insecure families this year and are off to a good start!

Thank you for all your support through the auctions in helping make this possible!


Fred

Great healthy looking produce!!!

That's awesome!!

Fred, thanks for all that you're doing!

I wanted to do a post for dual reasons this time. First - update on the 2024 season and how it went, and Second - preview of the auction to benefit Mary's Hands for 2025!

First - Updates!
We made changes to our distribution and delivery models this year. Previously, we'd deliver large amounts of produce to communities once per week. The problem with doing that is not all the produce could be used and it created more waste than was necessary. We moved to 4 deliveries per week so we could provide what communities needed when they needed it.

The results were really solid. Our estimates were we reduced unused produce by 25%-50%. At the same time, going live with our own greenhouse (and a lack of flooding!) for the year helped us rebound from a down year in 2023. It worked out to about $20,000 in produce provided for families facing food insecurity in the Boulder area. Our mission is to help people while doing so in a way that maintains their dignity. At the same time, we make it a point to provide produce at a quality level you'd see in the best restaurants (especially with tomatoes, peppers, and garlic.) Too often, these communities are used to getting whatever is left over when food assistance is provided. It's gratifying to know we are able to help them have something they wouldn't normally be able to afford.



Second - a teaser for our charity auction for 2025! I'll launch it January 1st again and run for 15 days.
This years items will include:
Rings of the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd circle
Safehold 5 with 8 hireling Stewarts
Greaves of Absorption, Stalwart, and Deflection
3 piece UR ancients set
At least 4 relics and quite a bit more!

Monies raised will go to seed and soil amendments (correcting from flooding is done in steps, the last piece for it will be this upcoming spring.)

Thank you again for your amazing support and being such a great community!

Thanks for the update with photos Fred. Looking forward to the next auction.

Looks fantastic!

I hope your next auction is successful beyond your hopes : )

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing and for all the work you do for this cause.