The Official Modest Needs Blog

See You in 2009!

Modest Needs' offices will be closed tomorrow, January 1st, 2009, in celebration of New Year's day. We will be working normal hours today, New Year's Eve, December 31st.

We look forward to responding to your questions or inquiries on Friday, January 2nd.

Please be safe tonight, everyone! And thank you for another INCREDIBLE, record-breaking year!

The Great (and Giving) Depression

This New York Times Op-Ed article, "Hard Times, a Helping Hand," is one of the most touching stories I've read in months. I can't say enough how wonderful it is. If you have a moment, it's a real treat.

Lately, we've heard so much in the media comparing today's economy to the Great Depression, the vast majority of it sobering and sad. But this piece takes a different tone, chronicling the giving, selfless acts of one Ohio man during the Great Depression, an anonymous individual who listened to the hardships of his neighbors and -- like our donors at Modest Needs -- offered small but monumental gifts to tide them over the bleakest of holidays.  

One compassionate person has the power to make an enormous difference in the world. I've said it hundreds of times. But never as beautifully as this decades-old gem from Canton, Ohio.

Our Holiday Hours

Please note that Modest Needs' offices (both East and West Coast) will be closed for the holidays starting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 23rd. We will re-open again regular time on Monday, December 29th.

We wish all of you a safe, happy holiday, and we look forward to speaking to you next week!

Charity Navigator's 2008 Giving Tips

In this YouTube video, the CEO of acclaimed charity watchdog Charity Navigator gives his advice on how to make the best use of your charitable donations this year.

Some of his key suggestions include:

1. Choose a nonprofit that allocates at least 75% to program expenses (and less than 25% to overhead or fundraising, for example).
2. Think about marrying philanthropy and gift giving via charitable gift certificates.
3. Donate online to ensure that the charity won't be required to pay check-processing fees.

4. Consider a charity that specializes in human services, a segment which is experiencing huge demand this year in light of the economic downturn.

I am so proud that Charity Navigator has given  Modest Needs its very highest honor -- a 4-star rating reflecting the 92+% of our expenses going straight to programs. We are indeed seeing a massive increase in the number of families applying for assistance this year, and I invite you to consider a donation or Modest Needs gift certificate. 

As always, thank you for your kind support. 

Hats Off to TEMPO!

I'm thrilled to report that our very first fundraiser at Brooklyn's TEMPO restaurant was a resounding success. Reservations are continuing to go fast for the next three Saturdays in December, so book early for the best times! Just call (718) 636-2020.

And check out this fantastic Brooklyn Paper article on Robert Amato, a TEMPO owner and the man behind this wonderfully creative Modest Needs benefit.

A Photo to Remember

On our page of testimonials -- where applicants express their appreciation for our donors' generosity -- it's easy to get swept up in the paragraphs of well-wishes and gratitude. But I just wanted to remind you that the little blue/green icon you see to the left of certain testimonials indicates that the applicant has uploaded a photo along with his or her thank-you note.

I was a literature professor, so you can imagine how powerful I find the written word. Sometimes, however, a photo hits you in a place that words just can't. It reminds us that there are people -- often children -- behind every application.

One of the most moving photos I've seen lately was of a newborn, who died tragically only a few days later. You helped this baby's grieving grandmother stay afloat despite a slew of expenses related to the child's passing. I promise you, this is one story and one photo you won't soon forget.

A Tasty TV Interview with Modest Needs

A little while ago I had the honor of being interviewed by Fox TV New York's Christina Park, on the show "Good Day Street Talk." Christina asked me all about what we do here at Modest Needs and how the organization first got started. Even more exciting, we brought her samples of some of the delicious dishes available on TEMPO restaurant's $42 prixe-fixe menu -- which they'll be offering every Saturday in December, with 100% of the proceeds coming to us.

So check out the interview! And remember to call (718) 636-2020 if you're interested in booking a table at TEMPO.

I Couldn't Have Said It Any Better

I try to say thank-you to our donors as often as I can. But this testimonial, from a person whose application you funded last week, does the job better than I ever will.

"I am so grateful and blown away that, even during this unsettling time in our economy, people like you still found it in your hearts to give to others in need. I'm sure you could have used it on something of your own, but you chose to put others before yourself.Thanks to people like you and such a wonderful organization such as MODEST NEEDS, I am able to keep my home... I have always believed that when you are a giver, it will be given back to you, with good measure. And I feel very privileged to know that I can give back to such a wonderful foundation, knowing first-hand the respect, care and help I received will be given to others in need as well."

Check, Please -- and Don't Forget the Tax Deduction

I'm delighted to announce our biggest-ever New York-area fundraiser.

On every Saturday evening in December, Brooklyn's acclaimed restaurant and wine bar TEMPO will very graciously donate ALL of its proceeds (not profits, mind you, but PROCEEDS) to Modest Needs. At the end of your meal -- a special, $42 prixe-fixe menu -- your check will show exactly how much you contributed to Modest Needs and will serve as a valid receipt for tax deduction. 

You'll also get a postcard telling you exactly who you helped - just by going out to dinner!

I'm absolutely over the moon that such an amazing restaurant like TEMPO has agreed to help us fund low-income families in need this holiday season. For those of you in the Tri-State area, TEMPO is now accepting reservations for these special Saturday-night dinners to benefit us. We expect that slots will fill up quickly, so be sure to call early for the best times!

TEMPO Restaurant and Wine Bar
Reservations: (718) 636-2020
Dates: Saturday, December 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th
256 5th Avenue, between Carroll Street and Garfield Place, Park Slope,
Brooklyn, NY 11215

And please, let friends and family in the area know as well -- the more, the merrier. I'll be there myself every Saturday night, and I hope to meet plenty of you in Park Slope!