Quote Originally Posted by St. Anthony's Kitchen View Post
Hey mons, let me clarify the money thing! Funds sent to Cincinnati (my Franciscan provincial headquarters) are tax deductible for US citizens. Legally, gifts sent here are not. I just got a very large gift from some benefactors, sent to Cincinnati, and they want the tax deduction. Makes sense! The FriarWorks office, cool name huh, accepts charitable gifts for the work of the friars. They take no administrative expense out and send 100% of your gift to us. Let them know that is your intention. The funds are wired directly into our account here. It is done monthly. The wire fee is the same regardless of the amount wired so wiring $100 to us at a cost of about $23 is not a good idea. If you send me a check (and I can accept almost any currency) I do not have use of the funds for 20 business days (about a month). Send the money to FriarWorks in Cincinnati. Send it here and it takes 3 weeks to get here--maybe 4--and I can't use the money for 20 business days. In fact, I'll get it quicker through Cincinnati! FriarWorks, 1615 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

The Canadian issue is interesting. Do you guys get tax breaks for charitable gifts? I don't know if the friars up there would accept gifts for us but I sure would be happy to ask. Their mission office gives us a nice grant each year for the Get Kids to School Programme. I can check if you want me to.

I'm hoping for a larger grant so we can sponsor more kids. If anyone out there wants to sponsor a particular child we can set that up too!

We got some great deals on kakis (uniforms) and shoes. We buy a bunch (taking any kind of discounts we can get) and then resell them to the parents at 1/2 price. It's a great deal and we expect parents to assume some responsibility for the education of their kids. This is one way then make an investment. This is our best outreach ministry--thanks you benefactors, Friars up in Canada, Friars in Cincinnati, Rotary Club Negril! --Fr. Jim

Too cool. Since the belly flop a couple of months ago I have wondered what else we can do. Prior to this our focus was the animals of Jamaica, however the benefit of this program rises to the top.