In Broad Ripple, a local clothing store provides contemporary clothing and gifts. It also provides support for local organizations. For Marigold clothing store, there is not one “right” way to help the local community. Instead, owner Linda Shikany and manager Elizabeth Shikany have found diverse ways of supporting organizations they believe in. Second Helpings is fortunate to be one of those organizations.
Begun in 2001 with local bands covering famous artists, Tonic Ball has proven a hunger-fighting musical juggernaut ever since. Who was one of the first sponsors and continues to sponsor it to this day? Marigold. In addition to their continued and dedicated support of Tonic Ball, Marigold also sponsors what was formerly Harvest and has now transformed into Corks and Forks, an event featuring chefs from all over Indianapolis, food, and fun. “We became and stayed involved because we liked what Second Helpings was doing. It’s our responsibility to help people who are hungry in the community,” Linda Shikany explained.
In addition, Marigold backs Second Helpings in other ways. They held office supply drives during the early days of Second Helpings in order to provide a much needed in-kind donation to a budding organization. Since then, they now hold food drives several times each year that have raised over 7,000 pounds of pasta. “Customers are so generous with pasta. Some will read about it on our Facebook page or blog and bring it in, or some will learn about it from the store, go out and retrieve/buy some boxes, and then return with it.” Marigold also donates a percentage of their sales to Second Helpings multiple times a year, and openly supports Second Helpings on its Facebook page and website.
Linda Shikany further explained why Marigold supports Second Helpings in so many diverse ways. “We love the brilliant, grassroots mission of Second Helpings. Not only does it feed people who are hungry, it also empowers people to get jobs in the community (through the culinary job training program). It’s a perfect fit for us and our focus on the community, and we have enjoyed watching to see it continue and grow on its path of feeding the hungry.”
In addition to its incredible and diverse support of Second Helpings, Marigold also supports other organizations in the community such as the Indianapolis School for the Blind, the Julian Center, Dress for Success, and the Indianapolis Art Center. “We have a responsibility to help,” Linda Shikany stated. “We have been successful for 27 years and we want to use that success and give back to other organizations.”
How Marigold supports Second Helpings:
- Tonic Ball sponsorship
- pasta drives
- office supply drives (before ’05)
- Harvest, then Corks and Forks sponsorship
- % of sales to Second Helpings
- Promotion via website
- volunteer during line cooking