Partners

The MrBallen Bink-a-Thon is done for another year, and four chapters made more than 850 Binkies. Beaverton bagged 257 in one day with about 50 volunteers. Temecula ran a drop-off event, and both Temecula and the Monroe, Connecticut chapter landed new grants. Susan thanks the church, local businesses, and volunteers who made the day possible, and shares where about 150 Oregon blankets went right after the event. She also has holiday ideas for chapters, including a casual bring-your-own-fabric sewing day, using 4x6 postcards to save on postage, and turning fleece cutaways into no-sew hats and scarves. Chapter leaders get an update on simpler quarterly reports. And if you or someone you know needs community service hours, Susan explains where to start on binkypatrol.org.
 
Key Points
Four chapters made more than 850 Binkies. Temecula made about 385, Beaverton 257, Monroe, Connecticut about 125, and Texas about 100.
Beaverton made 257 in one day. About 50 volunteers filled Holy Trinity Catholic Church and bagged 257 blankets in one day.
Temecula went drop-off style. Kimberly's chapter dropped off 325 blankets and still had 60 more set aside for another delivery.
Two chapters won grants. Temecula received a $1,500 Walmart grant and Monroe, Connecticut received $5,000 to fill requests from Al's Angels.
Holiday projects keep chapters close. A couple of hours with bring-your-own-fabric sewing keeps volunteers working and visiting between big events.
Reports are getting simpler. Quarterly chapter reports are shorter now, and chapters can stop mailing paperwork in.
Community service hours count. The Community Service page under Ways to Help on binkypatrol.org walks people through making blankets for required hours.
Takeaways
A one-day event with about 50 volunteers can produce hundreds of blankets when the space, supplies, and teaching are in place.
A drop-off event works for chapters that can't host an in-person day.
Small grants from local businesses like Walmart add up for chapters that make blankets year round.
Local partners can give more than money. Space, coffee, fabric, borrowed sewing machines, and matched volunteer hours all made this event work.
Smaller sewing days between big events keep chapters close and productive.
Chapter reports are simpler now, and paperwork no longer needs to be mailed in.
Making blankets can count toward required community service hours.

Keith McHenry started Food Not Bombs in 1980, and today it shares free meals in more than 1,000 cities in over 70 countries with no paid staff and no headquarters. Susan Finch and Keith talk about why that works. He explains how keeping it local and built around a task brings people together, and how the people in line include mechanics, electricians, and workers who still can't rent an apartment. Susan shares how Binky Patrol runs with nobody paid, why she meets every new chapter leader on Zoom, and what the chapters have learned from 30 years of trying things. They also talk about volunteer burnout, rotating roles so one person isn't doing everything, and a Bink-a-Thon in Temecula where blankets went flying down the street. If you've wanted to help but didn't know where to start, start with your neighbors.
Key Points
Local and simple wins. Keith says Food Not Bombs spread to more than 1,000 cities because it gives people one clear task to do together in their own town.
The line is full of skills. When a Food Not Bombs vehicle breaks down, Keith asks if there's a mechanic in line, and there always is.
No paid staff by design. Both Food Not Bombs and Binky Patrol chose from the start to have nobody paid, and both still run that way.
The mission is the guidepost. Susan meets every new chapter leader on Zoom and checks every project back to Binky Patrol's mission before it goes forward.
Share the load to prevent burnout. Splitting days, rotating roles, and handing off what's in your head keeps local leaders from doing everything alone.
Teachers grow big chapters. Binky Patrol's largest chapters are led by teachers or former teachers whose former students still show up when asked.
Timestamps
00:00 Why local volunteers matter right now
00:52 Meet Keith McHenry of Food Not Bombs
01:17 Serving at the Santa Cruz post office and the party spirit
02:06 A midnight speech at the Pine Street Inn and the start of Food Not Bombs
03:04 Why a local, task-oriented group becomes a movement
03:50 Hunger doesn't change with who's in office
04:15 Opening a church pickleball court to the unhoused
05:26 Getting housed and unhoused people talking
05:51 The mechanic in line and the skills people bring
06:41 Working and still unable to rent
07:30 Friendships, marriages, and the Belfast story
08:15 No copyright, no paid staff, and an open logo
09:30 The Seven Steps flyer after the 1988 arrests
10:19 Binky Patrol has nobody paid
10:58 Why Susan meets every new chapter leader on Zoom
12:04 How Food Not Bombs chapters self-correct
12:58 The three Food Not Bombs principles
13:56 The 1995 world gathering, Indymedia, and pirate radio
16:02 Saying yes and trying things
16:38 Thirty years of laughs and lessons at Binky Patrol
17:30 Teachers are a superpower
17:56 Fanzine stories of pulling it off anyway
18:50 Blankets flying down the street at the Temecula Bink-a-Thon
19:39 A 92-year-old who crocheted 40 blankets
19:55 Finding Food Not Bombs in Portland
20:43 Hungry for Peace and the Portland model
21:43 Sharing the days to prevent burnout
22:49 Every group has a connector, and a PSA for volunteers
24:01 Rotating roles and the bottom liner cook
24:53 Youth and a philosophy open to everyone
27:06 Finding himself in a book in Tel Aviv
27:36 Food as a connector and wrap-up
28:43 Where to find Keith and the show

Rania Dudum and Zoe Rucker are in their early twenties, juggling work, school, roommates, and everything else that comes with that stage of life. They still make time for Binky Patrol, and in this episode they tell Susan why.
Rania describes her first Bink-A-Thon, where volunteers who had never met made nearly 300 blankets in five hours. Zoe explains why the lowest barrier to entry she has ever seen keeps her coming back. Together they cover eight new chapters opened this year, a crochet creator with 200,000 followers who posted about Binky Patrol after a single message, and the legacy afghans that found new purpose with children in crisis.
Susan closes with a look back at 30 years and a wish: a Binky Patrol chapter in every county in America.
Rania Dudum [00:02:10]:
“Getting to spend an hour out of your day making a blanket can impact the life of a child for the rest of theirs.”
Zoe Rucker [00:05:20]:
“It’s a serious thing, but it is, like, genuinely the most unserious thing, I feel like if you want to get involved, all you have to do is make a blanket, and that could take an hour or you could spend days doing it.”
Learn more at https://binkypatrol.org and how you can get involved.

In this update episode, founder Susan Finch shares what Binky Patrol chapters are doing right now, from sending handmade blankets to tornado victims in Illinois and Indiana (in partnership with Reach Out Worldwide) to launching the Active Seniors campaign, expanding Greek life events in Connecticut and Oregon, and preparing for Bink-A-Thon in October.
The official 30th anniversary lands on June 19th — the date Binky Patrol went national, time zone by time zone, when it appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show for National AIDS Awareness Day. Susan gives a shout-out to author Jennifer Chiaverini, whose book Round Robin from the Elm Creek Quilts series is part of their celebration reading list.
The Bink-A-Thon, sponsored by the Mr. Ballen Foundation, is ramping up. And Mr. Ballen himself is heading out on a live storytelling tour this summer — including a stop in Portland, which happens to land right around the 30th anniversary date.
Susan also breaks down all the ways to get involved: become a chapter, host a one-time event, or set up your business as a drop-off location — with your logo, your info, and your choice of where local blankets get delivered.
One volunteer hour a month. That's all it takes.
Learn more and get involved at binkypatrol.org
Links Referenced in This Episode
binkypatrol.org — Binky Patrol main site
binkypatrol.org/active-seniors — Active Seniors campaign
binkypatrol.org/greek-life — Greek life campaign
roww.org — Reach Out Worldwide (tornado relief partner)
ballenstudios.com — Ballen Studios (live storytelling tour dates)
mrballen.foundation — Mr. Ballen Foundation (Bink-A-Thon sponsor)
tvctv.org — TVCTV (local community cable, PSA submissions)
 
 

Celebrating 30 years of making a difference, Binky Patrol founder Susan Finch shares five strategic initiatives designed to expand volunteer recruitment and engagement for small nonprofits. From Greek life partnerships to senior community programs, these practical approaches offer actionable blueprints for organizations looking to grow their impact.
Susan breaks down specific campaigns targeting college sororities and fraternities that already support children's charities like St. Jude's, showing how blanket-making events can complement existing fundraising efforts. She explores the untapped potential of senior communities where residents maintain crafting skills and desperately need purpose and community connection.
The episode also reveals Binky Patrol's mapping strategy to identify gaps in coverage by partnering with the Mr. Ballen Foundation, plus a quarterly challenge system to keep volunteers engaged year-round. Whether you run a nonprofit or want to understand volunteer mobilization strategies, this episode delivers concrete ideas you can implement immediately.
Learn how to get involved: https://binkypatrol.org 

When the Altadena fires devastated Southern California communities, two organizations came together in an extraordinary way. Binky Patrol Director, Jeanne Malgioglio found ROWW while we and Al's Angels were looking for a way to respond and directly help the fire victims in Altadena. Susan Finch sits down with John Brotherton, Outreach and Partnership Manager for Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW), to discuss how a charity founded by actor Paul Walker has evolved into a powerhouse of compassionate disaster response. From curating personalized care packages in garages to operating full-scale distribution centers, John shares the intimate story of how dignity, authenticity, and community mobilization transformed chaos into hope. This conversation reveals the unexpected ways everyday skills—from truck driving to coffee making—can save lives during a crisis.
About ROWW:
Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW) is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit founded by actor Paul Walker. In January of 2010, after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti, Walker spontaneously organized a relief team that responded to the disaster. On the trip, he identified a gap between the availability of skilled resources and the requirement for such personnel in post-disaster situations. Upon returning from Haiti, ROWW was established with the purpose of fulfilling this unmet need.
ROWW continues to respond internationally to natural disasters worldwide ranging from earthquakes to hurricanes.
The organization's teams are small, allowing them to gather and deploy quickly. They pack efficiently so that they can carry their gear into the most remote and desperate regions. These are the people that have been excluded from the media attention and are too small or inconvenient for the larger non-profits to reach.
It would have been far easier and cheaper for Walker to affiliate his efforts with an existing organization and check in from time to time, but he didn't. He chose to get dropped off from a helicopter in Haiti, during a very unstable time, without a plan, in hopes of personally helping those in need. He accomplished his goal and was hooked. Next, he shifted his schedule around to go to aid those in need in Chile. Again, he not only funded the trip but also gave his own time. After a few more deployments he was finally at peace with his profession as he knew it was allowing ROWW to exist.
Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW):
Website: https://roww.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reach-out-worldwide/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReachOutWW/
Instagram: @reachoutworldwide
Twitter/X: @ReachOutWW
Volunteer/Contact: [email protected]
Binky Patrol:
Website: https://binkypatrol.org
Podcast Site: https://binkypatrol.show
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/binky-patrol/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BinkyPatrol/
Instagram: @binkypatrol
Twitter/X: @BinkyPatrol

Part 2 of the Joann Panic: Finding Affordable Fleece Alternatives
Now that we know ALL Joann Fabrics are closing don’t worry—you still have great options for buying fleece at great prices with a little planning! Here are a few trusted sources that can help you continue making blankets for those in need. Thank you to Cheryl Bean TX, Marlys Vaughan, MS, and Jeanne Malgioglio, CT for these resources.
YOURFLEECE.com
✅ Special Discount for Binky Patrol!1️⃣ Create an account at YOURFLEECE.com. This allows us to see what's in your cart.2️⃣ Email us once your account is set up, and we’ll have a discount code created for you.3️⃣ You can then check out with your special pricing!
💰 Pricing:
Prints: $5.25/yd (originally $6.99-$7.99)
Shipping Example:
50 yards x $5.25 = $262.50
Shipping = $47.07
Total: $309.57
Don't forget to mention Binky Patrol when reaching out!Email: [email protected]
PICOTEXTILES.com
Pico Textiles is offering bulk discounts on fleece, and they say their quality is comparable—or better—than Joann’s!
💰 Pricing:
Prints: $6.95/yd
Solids: $5.95/yd
📦 Bulk Order Details:
Order 15-20 yards per print
Place orders a few weeks in advance
Free shipping!
Check out available prints here: Pico Textiles Fleece.
Another Option: Marshall Dry Goods
They have a selection of fleece at competitive prices! Browse their selection: Marshall Dry Goods Fleece.
With a little extra planning, you can still get high-quality fleece at great prices—even without Joann Fabrics! 🧵💙
#BinkyPatrol #FleeceAlternatives #fleeceblankets #KeepCrafting

We are always trying to help our volunteers with resources. Many of you are losing your Joann Fabric stores. Some entire states are losing all stores. They are open online, but we at Binky Patrol have had ISSUES with big orders online. Here are some options. A fantastic one came in from Stan at Fleece-fabric.com.  More details in this short episode.
He says, "For our printed and solid double-brushed fleece, we will be able to ship bolts of 22 yards each for $5.76/yd with free shipping to the continental US. There is a minimum order of 2 bolts. To get this price, your volunteers should enter the coupon code BINKY2025."
Here are the links to his site:
https://www.fleece-fabric.com/categories.php?cat=3https://www.fleece-fabric.com/products.php?cat=25

Today we're talking with data science manager Gaurav Mittal about how tech professionals can transform nonprofits by volunteering their skills. While many organizations struggle with limited budgets and technical resources, professionals like Gaurav are showing how a few hours of volunteered expertise in data analysis, automation, or system design can help nonprofits dramatically scale their impact. Whether it's creating dashboards to better understand donor patterns, building tools to streamline operations, or developing solutions that help organizations tell their story through data, tech volunteers are helping nonprofits serve more people in need while working remotely on their own schedule. This conversation reveals how accessible and rewarding it can be to give back using the professional skills you already have.
"Any skill, whatever you have, please come forward, volunteer, and you will yourself see like you are making a huge impact." [25:20]
"You have to just give few hours, but it's going a long, long way." [24:30]
Calls to Action:
Visit Catchafire.org, and volunteermatch.org to find remote tech volunteer opportunities that match your skills
Start small - even a few hours of your technical expertise can have huge impact for nonprofits
When volunteering:
Focus on creating scalable, sustainable solutions
Use open-source tools nonprofits can maintain without additional cost or restrictions
Think about what happens after you leave
Build automated solutions where possible
Keep future volunteers in mind since there is usually high-turnover in all volunteer positions.
ABOUT GAURAV MITTAL:
Gaurav Mittal is a seasoned IT Manager , adept at guiding teams in developing and deploying cutting-edge technology solutions. His achievements include substantial cost savings through innovative solutions and enhancing operational efficiency. Gaurav is recognized for his leadership, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to delivering exceptional IT services aligned with organizational goals. He's published several peer-reviewed articles, spoken at international conferences, and served on multiple judging panels. His contributions extend to volunteer work with non-profits and maintaining strong academic credentials, including an MBA and various technical certifications.
 
Links from this episode:
https://volunteermatch.org 
https://mentormentee.com/ 
https://www.catchafire.org/profiles/2923366/about
https://x.com/GauravM85
https://binkypatrol.org/ways-to-help/ 

In this first episode of our special two-part series, we're taking you inside our nationwide Bink-A-Thon debrief meeting, where chapter coordinators share their heartwarming stories from this year's MrBallen Foundation event. From Meridian, Idaho to Connecticut, from Southern California to Virginia, our volunteers united in their mission to create comfort one blanket at a time.
Join Susan Finch and chapter leaders, including Kathy Taylor from Irvine/Orange County, whose partnership with Girl Scouts doubled their volunteer turnout; Jeanne Malgioglio from Connecticut, whose team completed 145 blankets for Al's Angels and the Center for Family Justice; Director Terrie Madruga, who launched a new chapter in Meridian, ID with patriotic scarves for veterans; and Caitlin Peterson-Woolard from Woodbridge/Lexington, whose Girl Scout volunteers showed incredible enthusiasm, completing 15 blankets in just 30 minutes plus the 150 made the by the rest of the group. These stories showcase the power of community service and the impact of dedicated volunteers nationwide.
Learn more about Bink-A-Thons here.
Connect with the chapters featured in this episode here:
Jeanne Malgioglio - Monroe/Trumbull, CT
Caitlin Peterson - Lexington, VA
Terrie Madruga - Meridian, ID
Kathy Taylor - Irvine, CA
Susan Finch - Beaverton, OR
 
Thank you to the MrBallen Foundation for sponsoring this event!