Last year at this time we had sold $1500 worth of Sweet Hope candy. This year $500. I’m not counting the large corporate order we had last year.
I have suspicions about why the sales are so bad. I will cop to the fact that yes… we raised prices for the first time in 5 years. We had to. Chocolate prices had gotten to the point where we weren’t making as much as we had before. We also took your suggestions and switched to a better box that will keep your truffles neat and tidy during shipping. Real honest to goodness candy boxes. We’re also going back to the hand tied bows. The sticker just didn’t cut it last year. Yes, things have changed, but why no sales? I don’t know.
Here’s what I do know.
I received an email from Galina this week. She said that our little orphanage in Mirnoe is being merged with 2 other orphanages. We don’t know why, we don’t know where, we don’t know how many children or what their ages are going to be. All we know is that it is happening in December. Galina contacted the local government. She didn’t get any details, but did learn that all of the things Sweet Hope has purchased for Mirnoe will be transferred to the new facility. As soon as she knows the details she’ll let me know.
She said that Slavyanka is going to give the children a Christmas party this year. It is something that will help these kids during the transition. Imagine being a child that has been moved around, or lost everything, or never had anything and here is yet another change. Somehow the idea of Christmas makes it better.
Since she doesn’t know how many children or what their ages are she is asking for our help. This year Sweet Hope’s funds will give children Christmas. This won’t be the first time we’ve done this, but this year feels so much more important. Just one small thing in the life of a child can make a huge difference.
So I’m asking you. Will you please consider giving to Sweet Hope. Purchase a box of truffles or caramels, or simply make a donation. It makes a difference in the life of a child.