Gluten-Free Sales Proceeds to Charity this YEAR

UPDATE: we have extended this charity-event to the entire year (2009).

I have been deeply concerned with the state of the economy, how quickly it is degrading, and how this is impacting people throughout the United States - especially those unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a layoff or other forced unemployment.

I was watching 60 minutes last week when they were detailing the unemployment carnage in Wilmington, OH (where the Airborne Express / DHL company is closing, and leaving nearly 1/4 of the town unemployed - 3,000 workers thus far). And then there is the nearly daily nightly news report about mass layoffs somewhere, and rising unemployment. And, another sub-story to all this is the escalating demand for services from local Food Banks and other charitable organizations.

So, my wife and I have decided that for 2009, we will be donating all proceeds from the sales of our Gluten-Free & Wheat-Free Gourmet Desserts books (link) to charity -- either regional or local food bank(s) and/or homeless shelter(s).

Notice I am not limiting the donation to "all profits" from the books sales (since "profits" is a term subject to manipulation), but rather I am saying that we will donate the entire amount collected for each book sold throughout the month:

• without any limit on quantity (well, up to whatever books we have printed, which should be plenty);
  
• with the only exception being the shipping charge, which already goes to employ another group of people whose business is in decline: Postal Workers and shipping-products-producers (i.e., box-manufacturers, tape producers, bubble-wrap suppliers).

I could not help thinking how difficult it would be to maintain a wheat-free or gluten-free diet, should someone end up at a charitable food-bank. This is something I do not know how to address easily with charitable giving... I can only hope that some shelters or assistance organizations are able to accommodate special needs when they must, though I fear it is unlikely. Regardless, gluten-free or not, I just want to know that we have at least tried to help those less fortunate in a time of need.

Finally, to anyone that decides to purchase a book during 2009, we thank you as always, and in addition, any recipient of donations resulting from our sales would certainly thank you too if they could. And to anyone reading this Gluten-Free Blog and facing financial hardships of their own, we wish you the best and hope things work out well for you ASAP.