A family is looking to start a new Gemach. They have funding, but not much time or space for it. Any suggestions?
Feel free to PM, if you don't want to post.
There are a few askonim who arranged a $2k vort package. There is a choice of 2 halls and includes everything including some hot food, photography and one man band.
I believe this can be cut further:
LABOR: Skip the party planner and use low wage workers (or volunteers ie High School chesed) for setup and cleanup. Mexicans can be trained, someone may just need to stop in for quality control.
FOOD: "Shalom Zachor express" type system for the food. Someone needs to locate the most economical vendors. The prices on specialty cakes can vary drastically. The gemach can guarantee x amount of orders.
PHOTO: Only do 1 hour or skip entirely. If the gemach guarantees x amount of bookings perhaps he can give a better deal.
HALL: Perhaps newer halls would take a price reduction if someone guarantees them to be 80% booked up. (That's where gemach comes in)
MUSIC: It's a little awkward without music. But there are plenty of Bochurim happy to do it for $60.
Hardest part is getting people to actually utilize the service. As in the failure of the "L" bus, people need to be trained in to participating. That would mean contacting people and asking them to please use the service.
