Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

It is the most wonderful time of the year … cookie time! I placed my order last night and showed considerable restraint. And I want to suggest that we all add a sharing component to our cookie compulsion by purchasing a box (or ten) to donate.

The Girl Scouts of America have an existing program that allows you to order cookies that will be sent to US troops serving overseas. That’s a good option, of course.

But there are also people in your own neighborhood who could benefit from a cookie donation. So I encourage you to consider puchasing an extra box or two and donating them. My suggestions are

Northside Common Ministries – cookies can be shared with the men who live in the Pleasant Valley Shelter and also with clients shopping at the food pantry. You can drop off donations 24/7 to the front entrance at 1601 Brighton Road Pittsburgh 15212.

GLCC of Pittsburgh – the home of several youth programs for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 (and allied youth, too), this a program that can never have too many cookies. You can drop off donations M-Sat from 12-9 PM at 210 Grant Street, Lower Level. You can also call 412-422-0114. Friday nights are reserved exclusively for youth so cookies are especially welcome then.

Also, Persad Center would love some cookies for their LGBTQ senior coffee hours. Cookies can be dropped at 5301 Butler Street, Suite 100 Pittsburgh 15201 in Lawrenceville during normal business hours.

So there’s no mechanism to automate this. I do have a friend with a Scout daughter who is willing to deliver so if multiple people ordered cookies from her for these three locations, they can deliver directly. I can put you in touch with her mom. Or you can deliver them and check out the venues. If a cookie order form is going around at work, ask some folks to chip in for a group donation and see if the seller’s adult people will deliver. You can mail cookies (but that’s probably not the best idea.) Or you could get them to me and I can drop them off.

And look around your own neighborhood for groups that can use cookies. Your own food pantry or a shelter? A youth program?

What a simple way to support two good causes. The Girl Scouts are a phenomenal organization and very good on LGBTQ cultural competency.

If you’d like to order cookies online through my friends daughter, leave a comment. The Girl Scouts are very strict about online privacy so her mom has to send you an email link to purchase cookies using a credit or debit card. I like that. A bit more work to create a bit more safety for the girls.