Rent-to-own News - New York rent-to-own dealer collects 280 pounds of food for charity

Queensbury, New York, rent-to-own dealer and ColorTyme franchisee Tom Glogowski of Your Choice Rentals coordinated a local food drive in October that collected 280 pounds of food for a local mission. Having just opened his first rent-to-own store July 5 (with the help of Tom and Lisa Neyhart of ColorTyme), Glogowski did the standard direct mail and radio advertising to generate business, but he wanted to do something more for his community. So, Glogowski and his local radio station, B95.5, partnered up with Albany-Saratoga Speedway proprietor Bruce Richards to develop a campaign to raise food for their local Open Door Mission. The mission serves the needs of the Queensbury and Glens Falls communities. "Between the three of us—the store, the radio station and the speedway—we got the word out," says Glogowski.

Throughout the month of October, Glogowski's customers donated food through the store, directly to the Mission or to the racetrack. In return for their donations, Glogowski's customers received a free four-pack admission to the Speedway's annual Halloween Havoc event on October 20. "The annual Halloween Havoc is basically a demolition derby and a very well-attended event," says Glogowski. "I wanted everyone to realize that people are in need year-round, not just during the holidays. Last year alone, the Mission provided 60,000 meals and anticipates that need growing to 80,000 meals in 2008," says Glogowski. The 280 pounds of food collected will provide 880 meals. "The food drive culminated with the Speedway event, but people are still bringing me food!" he says. Not one to turn down a donation, Glogowski happily accepts and makes the delivery to the Mission.