Burrito West Blog

Since I can't foster or adopt any more animals, I've been trying to think of other ways I can help animal rescue groups with their work.  One way was roping my friend and talented photographer into the pet portrait business. And by business, I mean he does it for free. He seems to be enjoying it too, which is great and I'm gleefully working to book us more photo shoots with other rescue groups (I'm the helper - I wiggle the cat toys/treats).  He's also offering to do personal pet portraits for people in exchange for a promise of a donation to the BC SPCA - which is AWESOME*.

Anyway, that's one thing.  The other thing I'm also excited about because it's going so much better than I hoped. My team at work moved into new offices recently, on the 7th floor.  The nearest food is down in the cafeteria in the basement or across the street in the mall. So if you need a snack, it's easily a 10-15 minute journey to get it. And people in my office are BUSY. So busy that they may not be able to squeeze in a 15 min break, no matter how much they've got the munchies. Sometimes you want a snack but don't want to break out of the mental space you're in by going on a journey.

So I cribbed an idea I saw in another office I work in - a snack basket for charity.  I supply snack items, charge higher than retail prices and all the profits go to charity. My co-workers get snacks close at hand, and we raise money for good causes!  The basket is located in a locked file cabinet where anyone can access it and it operates on the honour system. In the first month of operation, the basket made $40 in profit!!  It's not a huge number but for an office as small as ours, it's a lot!  And it's money that will go to charity that otherwise wouldn't have - and no one felt like they were hit up for charitable donations, they bought stuff they wanted to buy anyway. 

The only complaint I've had is that I've made it too easy and convenient to get chocolate bars! (I have healthier options in there too but we all go for the chocolate bars.)  My plan is to let a few months of profit stack up and then donate to Katie's Place Animal Shelter, then the next few months of profit will go to another animal rescue, etc.

I'm super happy to have found a few ways to help, though I still wish I could do more. To be honest, I wish I could be a foster home for kittens... *sigh* adorable, little rascally kittens who just need a home for a few months.  Maybe one day.

*If anyone in Vancouver wants to book him for a portrait, send me an email and I'll put you in touch. You should totally do this. One friend is booking him for a sneak photo shoot of someone else's dog as a Christmas present for them; money to charity + christmas present = double win.