Cultivate Opportunity.

"A group [of people] had gathered on a rainy day to garden, but left with so much more than dirty hands and a bit of arugula: we had a gained a better understanding of how food can forge community." - Ashley Rumble, Community Alliance for Global Justice Intern

'Tis the season, as it's said around this time of year.  Along with snow, December also brings us many holidays and celebrations. From national Human Right's Day to New Year's Eve, and everything else in between, no matter where you go, it's hard to escape the sights and sounds of the multiple holiday season.

It's also that time of year where many of us are thinking long and hard on what to get that special somebody. We've toyed long and hard with a gift guide idea, and well, quite frankly, realized that things aren't what we should be giving. Instead, it should be opportunities.

This year, as you cross off friends, family, and lovers from your lists, we encourage you to think about giving the gift of opportunity:

Earlier this year, we started out without a dollar to our name. We didn't let that stop us. Soon enough, with the support of a number of individuals, we soon got our farms up and running. Throughout the year, we worked long, played hard, and got quite dirty in the process. And every minute was made possible because of the gift of opportunity from strangers that now have become part of our ever growing extended family:

With 2011 right around the corner, we've got bigger plans for the coming year. We'll do some things differently, we'll do some things new. And some things, we'll still figure out in the process.

Your gift to us (or a gift in somebody's name) this year will help us continue on our mission to reconnect people with food. The best part about this type of gift? Not only will 100% of your contribution will go directly towards the work we do, but you'll be able to continue watching us harvest change in the coming year.

Here's a few ideas of the types of opportunities that your financial contribution can help get us:

$25 + 
- Communication board for 22nd & Union
- Tools, all sizes.
- Scale to weigh produce for 22nd & Union
- Paint & accessories

$50 +
- Printed materials for 1 month
- Office-y supplies

$75 +
- Work gloves for both farms for volunteers
- Water paid for 1 month of summer
- Stickers
- Construction materials for improved compost systems

$100 +
- Rainwater catchment system for 22nd & Union
- Drip irrigation for Beacon Hill
- Signs for the farms
- Laminating machine & supplies
- Seeds / Starts
- Water pump
- 1 hour worth of space rental for fundraisers/volunteer parties/etc.

$250 +
- A button maker & supplies
- Printed t-shirts
- Computer software for financial & volunteer management
- Business cards

$500 +
- Bicycles for each farm

$1,000,000 +
- Our own farm on our own land, educational center, community kitchen, community bike shop, and a whole buncha other rad elements. (Hey! We can dream, right?)


..And this is just some of the stuff that can happen with you support.

So this year, will you help us cultivate opportunity? You'll have front row seats next year to watch your donation help cultivate change.

With love and legumes,

The Alleycat Team


(PS -- check out other ways to donate here)