Newspaper bringing back Picayune Pennies
“We’re so excited to revive the Picayune Pennies,” said Mandi Wyatt, Victory Publishing advertising director. “This is a way for us and our readers to lend a hand to our community members when they need it.”
The Picayune and The Daily Tribune staff placed collection jars at businesses and other locations around the Highland Lakes.
All individuals have to do is drop their loose change or a few dollars in the jars, Wyatt said.
The funds are regularly collected.
A committee from Victory Publishing then recommends who should get a donation from the Picayune Pennies.
“We’re not trying to help somebody build a new house who lost theirs in a fire or flood,” Wyatt said. “But we can help out with smaller needs that might not get met through other programs.”
In years past, the Picayune Pennies have been used to purchase new glasses for somebody who couldn’t afford them; help families pay utility bills; and buy a new pair of shoes for some children.
“Often it’s just a few little things that can make a difference in a person’s or a family’s life,” Wyatt said. “That’s one of the reasons we call it Picayune Pennies. Though the penny is the smallest form of our currency, if you collect enough of them they can really add up to a significant amount. It’s the same with helping people. You can’t always sweep in and build them a new house or pay for all their major medical bills, but little by little, person by person, a community can help enough folks that it all adds up to great things.”
With the economy hitting a bump lately, Wyatt said more people are needing a little help now and than.
“This is just a way for our community to help each other,” she said. “We’re just neighbors helping neighbors.”