Media Advisory - GotGinch surpasses 100,000 pairs of ginch delivered to homeless shelters across the country and Need Knickers joins the journey

TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Yonge Street Mission in Toronto is the 7th stop in a cross-country odyssey by three Calgary-based philanthropists. Brent King and Robb Price are hitting the road for the fourth year in a row and driving over 7,000kms from Vancouver to Halifax in an RV, to deliver 35,000 pairs of ginch (men's underwear) to 10 homeless shelters.

This year the duo are excited to be joined by Gabriela Ostendorfer who was inspired by the GotGinch story last year and has started Need Knickers, delivering 5,000 pairs of knickers (women's underwear) to five of the shelters from Vancouver to Regina. Next year she's hoping to raise enough funds to cover the whole country! 

This cross-Canada underwear drive, otherwise known as GotGinch, is in its fourth year. In 2009 entrepreneur, Brent King came up with the concept. Four years later 130,000 pairs of underwear will have been delivered with the numbers growing each year. The addition of the Need Knickers is an exciting addition to the program, says King.

King and Price will hit the open road in an RV bulging at the seams with underwear from September 4th to September 13th, stopping along the way to deliver 3,500 pairs of the ginch to each of the ten homeless shelters in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. Ostendorfer will join the duo for the first 5 cities and will deliver 1,000 pairs of knickers to each of the shelters. 

So why are they prepared to spend two-weeks in tight living quarters…again… in an RV with 40,000 pairs of ginch and knickers? In 2008 Brent was inspired by the asking of a simple question of The Mustard Seed in Calgary - "What do you need?"  The response was a simple one - "Men's underwear". Brent, an engineer by trade and entrepreneur who has always had a unique way of looking at problems in order to solve them, got to work. Money was raised through the help of friends, family and business colleagues; a supplier for a large quantity of underwear was sourced; the order placed; an RV arranged and voila -GotGinch was born. 

In 2010, this type of 'problem solving' approach inspired another entrepreneur, Robb Price to join Brent on his cross-Canada underwear drive.  Robb is the founder of DeliverGood.org.  DeliverGood matches charities and non-profits who need stuff with people and companies who have stuff. DeliverGood also works with corporations to help direct retired assets to the charities that can use them and designs community investment programs for the companies to help them celebrate their charitable achievements. Launched on the underwear drive in 2010, DeliverGood.org is now working with hundreds of charities and companies across North America and helping to facilitate matches between them.

What:	GotGinch arrives with 3,500 pairs of underwear - Photo/Interview opportunity
When:	10am Sunday September 9, 2012
Where:	Yonge Street Mission 270 Gerrard Street East Toronto, ON M5A 2G4
Why:	To inspire Canadians to take action by finding ways to 'solve problems' and get involved by visiting DeliverGood.org.

Follow GotGinch across the country at www.delivergood.org/gotginch 

Or, visit out online media room at www.delivergood.org/mediaroom which includes:

• Images + cutlines
• 30 second audio/video clips
• Quotes
• Fun facts
• Bios of Brent King and Robb Price and Gabriela Ostendorfer
• Full tour date schedule for Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

About DeliverGood.org

Launched by Robb Price in 2010, DeliverGood.org matches charities and non-profits who need stuff with people and companies who have stuff. Now working with hundreds of charities North America wide, DeliverGood.org's online service is 100% free to charities and donors. To learn more, please visit www.delivergood.org

About Yonge Street Mission

For over 113 years, Yonge Street Mission has been meeting the needs of people living in poverty in Toronto. Through our diverse programs, we make a positive difference in the lives of families, seniors, socially isolated adults, homeless street youth and children.

Our staff of nearly 100 and over 3,500 volunteers are committed to assisting people who come through our doors strictly on the basis of need - regardless of colour, culture, religion, economic status, gender, sexual orientation or social condition. 

 

SOURCE: Yonge Street Mission

GotGinch/DeliverGood:

Robb Price - DeliverGood - Founder
Brent King - GotGinch
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.delivergood.org
www.delivergood.org/gotginch

Yonge Street Mission 

Julia Silvestri, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator
Phone: [phone] ext. 4281
Cell: 416-526-2150
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ysm.ca