FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WHY IS YOUR TOWN DYING?

Once upon a time, the Worthwhile Club decided to hold a fund raiser to raise money for the local town. The members wanted to put up a sign at the edge of town that proclaimed it "Countryside, U.S.A., the friendliest little town in these here parts."

They decided they would hold a dinner and play some games and give away some prizes. Now, they wanted to raise lots of money, so they decided to mimeograph their tickets at the school instead of at the local newspaper print shop and asked for a free story in the newspaper. A free story to tell all about the fund raiser. The newspaper person looked a little disgruntled, but would agree to that.

Then they discovered they could buy the chickens they were serving at the supper for 10 cents a pound less in a town 45 miles down the road. One of the Worthwhile Club members was going there anyway to do her Christmas shopping, so she agreed to pick them up for the club at no travel cost to them. She bought the prizes out of town, too, while she was at it.

Of course they used napkins and cups from their local bank, and the other paper products they needed they bought at a discount store just 25; miles up the highway.

The wives of the local grocer, local hardware store man and the local banker all worked on the supper with the other Worthwhile Club members so there were no labor costs.

Well, the event was a huge success and the club raised $500.00 for the sign. But it never got put up. Why? Three of the town's local businesses went under that year shortly before Christmas. It was thought by many that perhaps the fellows hadn't run their businesses as well as they should have. Of course, without any businesses to serve, the newspaper and the bank soon followed suit.

The Worthwhile Club has decided not to hold its dinner again this year, even though last year's was such a barn stormer. With the bank gone, they would have to purchase all the paper products. The Club membership had dropped about a third, and the ladies feel there aren't enough of them to do the work. And the grocer and the banker and candlestick maker? Well, they're all members of the Jolly Good Time Club in that town 45 miles down the road now. That's where they pay taxes, and contribute to the Boy Scouts and work on church suppers. Their business planning seems to be going a lot better nowadays too.

Well, it's not for me to say, but I wonder what would have happened to "Countryside U.S.A." if the Worthwhile Club and other organizations in the town had decided they would not only raise money for worth while causes, but would also consider keeping the local businesses healthy as one of their causes.

What if they had made $200.00 in the fund raiser and had given the newspaper some money for ads and bought those chickens at the higher price locally? Maybe they should have given a gentle nudge to the lady who was going down the road to do her Christmas shopping to look in the local stores to see if she could find anything to fill the bill. What if they had given script money at the local stores as prizes?

It might have taken them two years to raise the money for the sign, but maybe then there would have been a town to put the sign up for. And maybe the best work that they could have done would have been to patronize the local merchants and keep the town alive and healthy !!!

A person can read this story and see the humor in it, but, if we all look inwards and will admit the truth, everyone has done or thought the same as the Worthwhile Club members. When we don't patronize our local businesses, how do we ever think they will stay open for business? If we won't buy their products or services, are people from out of town going to? The towns in rural America, "Southwest Kansas", are not big enough to seek volume on a business turn around...we look for repeat business customer satisfaction....a fair price.

If I shop at my local grocer and they don't have something that I use, I ask them to purchase and stock it, they do this knowing that I will be back to purchase that item. If you will use your local gas station and mechanic, they will get to know you and your vehicle, thus...repeat business, means better service! If you plan on having a fund raiser...look to the locals for your items....paper products are not all that expensive, and prizes could be gift certificates to local businesses....how about all those craft worthy women in town...surely they could make some pretty interesting prizes, how about the local florist shop? Every town has at least one shop or one person that can pour or mold clay or ceramics. These would make wonderful items to sell for promoting your town or even for gifts. Some people use the excuse that the local shops are to expensive, this is sometimes true...but, if they had a good flow of traffic, a personable and considerate business man more than likely would and should be able to lower his prices.

I go to the word of G~d and see if there is anything written about any subject that comes to mind....you might be asking yourself does G~ds word have anything to say about this situation? Well, matter of fact, it does....in I Timothy 5:8..." But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worst than an infidel." Now some of you may think that this only portrays a family unit, but if you live in a small community, that is part of your family also. Your community is your home, your neighbors are your brothers and sisters, they are your family! Remember if you don't have local businesses then you don't have a TOWN!

[FOOD FOR THOUGHT]

Last Updated on 08-Jan-08