Linking Donated Materials to Maryland Non-Profits Our spotlighted groups have not only found ways to reuse many of the
items available from the Baltimore community, they also have developed Business Assets Unlimited (BAU) as a way to cooperatively advertise the idea of donating reusables. In the past, a caller offering shelves to the Maryland
Food Bank might be told "No, we don't take that" and be referred to the Community Resource Bank. This process allowed donations to be lost and left each group to market reuse separately to the same business and
community audience, competing for attention. By collaborating through Business Assets Unlimited, all four of our spotlighted reuse organizations present a united front with a single phone number for donors to call. Callers
leave a voice or text message on a beeper which is read by staff from Maryland Food Bank. The information is forwarded to the appropriate organization for follow up on the donation. In this way, BAU can accept almost any item
offered. BAU's service also helps other non-profits throughout Maryland who like the fact that they can refer donors to BAU and don't have to say "no" to any donation. Rolodex cards with BAU's number have been
distributed to 800 non-profits along with a sign that can be posted right on their receptionist's desk. BAU
hopes to expand pro bono ads in the business papers, but avoids
newspapers because such ads attract household furnishings they
don't handle. |
