About
On November 24, 2009 while walking to the local coffee shop, I spotted a penny on the sidewalk near a group of shops. I stopped, bent down and picked it up. As I did, a group of teenagers that was standing nearby watching me started to snicker.
Their implication was clear. They believed that the penny was worthless and I was foolish for picking it up. I, on the other hand, saw things a bit differently. I have always picked up coins, but their reaction got me thinking. What is a penny really worth? What can one achieve when starting with only a penny?
As I thought about this, I became more convinced that there is value beyond what most people see in the money that is lying on the ground. I believe there is enough value in that penny that it can ultimately help a large number of people. This is my journey as I try to see if I’m correct by turning that “worthless” penny into $1,000,000 of food for local food banks.
As I begin this journey, I’m not exactly sure how I am going to achieve this goal. That is part of what should make this journey interesting to follow. I also hope that the journey ultimately shows that one person with one penny and a bit of determination can make a difference. I hope that you will join me on this journey and it will inspire you to try and do the same…
Jeffrey Strain
Comments
Comment from Gail
Time: December 2, 2009, 7:43 am
I pick up stray pennies on the sidewalk ALL THE TIME! I am with you on this.
Pingback from Making Dollars Out of Change: The Penny Experiment | Madame Deals
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:51 am
[...] lone penny has inspired Jeffrey to start an experiment to see how far he can stretch that penny. He sold the original found penny for $10. Now artists are [...]
Comment from Erick Mott
Time: January 3, 2010, 12:36 pm
A great story and idea. I will help you achieve your goal by helping you spread the word and your blog. Good luck!
Comment from Unknown Mami
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:43 pm
Very interesting. Wishing you much success!
Comment from Emmy
Time: January 7, 2010, 7:55 am
Sure, Good luck!
Comment from Susie
Time: January 7, 2010, 2:28 pm
Hi Jeffrey, still working on a piece of art for donation, but I’m so impressed with your project that I wrote a piece about it on our blog and will promote on all our sites. Thought you might want to take a look at it, though, and let me know if corrections are needed. You’ll find it on hardluckstudios.net/blog.
Thanks again for doing this!
Comment from Cory
Time: January 17, 2010, 3:49 pm
Very cool idea. I worked at the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas while in Americorps and would be more than happy to put you in touch with the folks over there if you’d like. They’re big into social media and I think they’d be a great potential partner/sponsor/beneficiary.
Pingback from Monroe on a Budget » The Penny Experiment and its food pantry campaign
Time: February 10, 2010, 6:12 am
[...] The Penny Experiment is a project that features artists creating pieces that feature pennies in the artwork, and using the images and proceeds to raise awareness for the ultimate goal – $1 million in groceries donated to food banks. Here is the story. [...]
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