Phones for Food Raises $250m

Mobile phone recycling seems to be on the minds of everyone, especially charitable organisations. No matter where in the world you may be, recycling mobile phones is an incredibly simple way for charities to raise much needed funds. This has been proven time and again by many organisations, including The Canadian Association of Food Banks. The Association of Food Banks started the highly successful “Phones for Food” campaign in 2004 and has managed to raise over $250,000 in just four years.

“It is such an easy thing for individuals or families to do and it’s very tangible,” says CAFB Executive Director Katharine Schmidt. “You know that by dropping that phone off, you’re making a difference.”

It makes a lot of sense. Technology is updated every minute and someone in the family or office is going to want the newest mobile phone. “Phones for Food” wants those people to think twice about tossing the old phone aside. Instead, take your old mobile phone to a collection centre where it can be recycled and the funds put to good use.

Another Canadian organisation using recycling programs for charity is Charity Village, an organisation and online source devoted to assisting 200,000 charitable foundations throughout Canada.

“People get very depressed about their situation, be it their finances or their health,” says Zaheer Abbas Molu of Charity Village. “But there is always someone who is not doing as well as you are and it kind of puts things into perspective.”