Many of you know that I have put some time into the Online Bake Sale for Japan benefiting Second Harvest Japan. I may have told some of you that I had nightmares about spreadsheets during the administrative phase of the project. Now, this project is facing a much worse nightmare than spreadsheets.
Apparently, I didn’t go through the proper channels when I set up the Online Bake Sale for Japan. I cannot say I knew there were proper channels. I chose my nonprofit, one based in Japan, and one that was extremely efficient. I set up a new PayPal account as a personal account and a new bank account- just so things would be very clean. Please bear in mind, I never said I was a nonprofit or that I was asking for any sort of tax deduction. I even called PayPal and asked how to collect money without incurring fees as I was having a bake sale for a Japanese charity.
Now, PayPal is holding the money and will not release it so that I may donate to Second Harvest Japan. I have answered many questions, Second Harvest has provided a letter from their Executive Director stating that I have permission to raise funds for their organization, and many of you have baked and shipped and eaten, tweeted, and posted. This has been a community effort in the largest sense.
The earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis has been a tragedy on a global scale, but the community of bloggers, readers, eaters that came together for this bake sale was also global and a beautiful example of what people can do when they work together.
The current reason PayPal is giving for holding the money is that Second Harvest Japan is that they are not a US nonprofit. As I have mentioned to a couple of people, the donation I am making (by check) to Second Harvest Japan will not be tax deductable, and even if it was, how could I take it, as only $200 of the money donated came from my husband and I? It would be wrong. I did not do this for a tax deduction, just as anyone who bought baked goods didn’t buy them for a tax deduction.
People from all over the world have donated to this ten-year old nonprofit- the first food bank in Japan, a member of the Global Food Banking Network. Cargill, INC, an American company based in Minnesota recently donated $250,000 to Second Harvest Japan. I spoke with Stacey, in their charitable giving department this morning, and she gave me a little hope. I will not give up this fight. I hope that you will join me. If you feel it is important for PayPal to do the right thing, and release the money to this worthy cause, please leave a comment on this blog saying so.
Or write compliance@paypal.com with the case # PP-001-272-592-886 in the subject line. I appreciate your help.
Warmly,
Sabrina Modelle
The Tomato Tart
Oh my god. This is whats wrong with the world. When giving becomes a pain in the ass and people just don't understand giving out of the goodness of your heart. I can't believe that this has been such a crazy ordeal but fear not it was for one of the most amazing things I've ever participated in, and I'm sure these people will see reason. You did this with such a beautiful kind heart i hope these people can understand that and will release the funds that are so desperately needed. Lots of love Kimberly
Oh my word, what Bollocks! (sorry to swear on your blog) but that is unbelievable (but, sadly, believeable). Come on PayPal, do the right thing and do not let something easily solved make ruined lives even more unbearable. And do not let the bakers, the contributors and most of all, Sabrina's efforts go in vain. (email sent too)
I just sent them an e-mail. WTF? Are they just going to refund everyone? Can you transfer that money to another paypal account?
PayPal….please release the funds to Second Harvest Japan. You are holding the funds, the funds belong to Second Harvest Japan. Surely there is a way for you to accomplish this. T%hanking you for your efforts on behalf of the people of Japan and the international contributors to this bake sale fund raiser.
I sent a message to PayPal and got a message back, telling me they would not address my concern until I sent a message from the e-mail address associated with my concern. I appreciate their attention to account security, now let's see some attention to feeding hungry earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.
Come on, PayPal, do the right thing. Lots of love went into making this event happen, Sabrina gave from the heart. Now it's your turn.
PayPal..common get your act together and realize that all the folks that participated in this are good people who wanted to do something for Japan. Lets ensure that those who truly care about getting this money to the people who need it. Stop being difficult and let's get this money to them ASAP because they need help ASAP which is why everyone acted with such hustle to get this bake sale done!
I was one of the many people who purchased a donated product for this very worthwhile event. I was impressed by those who organized this, those who contributed their talents as well as the response. I am at a loss to understand that a company like ebay, that owns paypal, and who has so much of it’s success resting solidly on the shoulders of small, homebased crafters, would hold this account in limbo. This information needs to be in the press. PTA’s have collected bake sale money for world wide disaster relief for years. If this new way of creating a way for people to open their hearts and wallets goes against some legalize in Paypals small print…then shame on them. Someone in Media… Get this story out. Blog it,facebook it… email your paper, make them regret this . Just terrible.
Thank you to all those who worked so hard on this project.
Hi Barbara,
Of course, since I work with nonprofits for a living for (full disclosure), Care2.com the largest online site for people who want to make a difference, my first inclination is to get very vocal and to start petitions and run to the media. I am trying to cultivate patience and give PayPal another chance to do the right thing.
Sabrina
C'mon Paypal, really? There are far worse things to be going after than a group of people trying to do the right thing.
I CANNOT believe this!!!!!!!! It's charity! While PayPal holds all that money for stupid bureaucratic reasons people in NEED are waiting for that money… they they even have a heart????????????? I am going to facebook and twit this… it is just UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!! That money does NOT belong to PayPal!
Is there any other way to do this??? What is PayPal suggesting? Reimbursement????
So far, yes, PayPal is suggesting that I could refund everyone. I have told them that no one wants that. Hence this blog post. I'm not sure what the next step is. I am in communication with them daily. I will keep you updated.
I'm not sure about other people, but I wouldn't mind getting the money back so I can just write you a check and mail it like how things were done before Paypal. Screw Paypal. They are being ludicrous.
I truly hope that Paypal will stop with all this red tape and help you to make this very important donation. So much hard work went into this charity event and to be stopped now is absurd.
Good luck in your battle, Sabrina…hopefully this gets resolved soon.
I've heard of this happening… especially when it comes to thousands of dollars!
Paypal should be ashamed. People need HELP! Why do they have to make that hard?
Ugh. Just disgusting.
Can you have PayPal put it back into your bank account and then write a check to Second Harvest? This is ridiculous!
I really don’t understand why PayPal is not doing their job and releasing the funds to the charity designated for the account. After all the work you and everyone have done, it’s very disappointing to have them hold up the money when it’s so needed and collected in good faith and with transparency for its purpose. I hope this gets resolved soon.
Companies choose to make things harder ! if the non profit is legitimate, what is the deal?
Have you talked to Red Cross or any international ones? Maybe if this does not work, you might be able to go through them? Paypal releases to Red Cross, Red cross channels it to Second Harvest Japan. Or Ask Second harvest which international US based non profits they are working with?
Let me know if there is anything I can help besides writing Paypal…
I've e-mailed PayPal, urging them to release the funds. I don't know if it will help, but if they're aware that people all over the world are watching and waiting for them to do the right thing, it might grease the wheels. Good luck, Sabrina – you've worked too hard for this to end this way. xox
You have worked so hard to make this happen. I am in awe of everything you've done. I am so confident that PayPal will do what is right and release the money, but I'm happy to leave a comment here if it makes any difference.
I just sent this email to paypal and intend on following through:
I don't think this is necessary at all. I think you are being completely unreasonable right now. We spent a lot of time, effort and money into raising these funds so that we could help our fellow human beings who are in desperate need of food and clean water.
Please release the funds immediately, or I will start contacting local news affiliates and report your egregious actions to them. Perhaps you were the pioneer in this effort, but you certainly are not now the only company who can accomplish the same services. I would think twice in a fickle world with a fickle economy about the choices you are making.
Hi Sarah,
I have good news actually. Paypal has set the funds free. I just added a post! We are good to go. Thank you so much for your efforts and your unwavering support. I really appreciate you (and your adorable cupcakes) You are a sweetheart!
Sabrina
Great news! I also sent the story to some news agencies. Figured they wouldn't like that kind of attention.
We have already received and devoured our Homemade OREO Cookies! YUM!
Thank you again for your incredible efforts!
Best to you!
Bethany