In the “man bites dog” pantheon of unusual pairings to promote public service campaigns, a current standout is the New York-based combo of F.Y. Eye (a nonprofit agency that communicates mission-driven messaging) and Wonton Food, Inc., the world’s largest fortune cookie manufacturer.
F.Y. Eye
In spite of the pandemic, Wonton Food recently distributed to New York-area Chinese restaurants over 13 million cookies bearing a traditional fortune on one side of the paper slips they carry and a pithy prompt urging diners to participate in the 2020 census on the other.
An F.Y. Eye board member was inspired to suggest that the group get the word out about the census via fortune cookies after cracking open one of the post-dinner treats. When approached by F.Y. Eye, Wonton Food, which has a side-business printing custom fortune cookies, quickly warmed to the idea and agreed to print and distribute the treats at a reduced charge as a public service, according to F.Y. Eye Program Director Nina Robbins.
To kick off the effort, F.Y. Eye sponsored a fortune writing competition in February that brought in 53 submissions from nonprofit partners. Ultimately 33 of the aphorisms were printed. Among Robbins’ favorites:
Don’t count calories. Be Counted. Census2020
Who counts? You count. Take the 2020 Census
Eat me. Then be counted. Take the 2020 Census
You are, therefore you count 2020census.gov
It’s hard to forecast what impact the fortune cookie campaign will have on participation, but Robbins is confident the effort was quite worthwhile.
“We believe that this fun and playful nudge reminding New Yorkers to take the Census is making a difference,” she said. “We've heard from friends, family, and colleagues that they are seeing social media posts featuring the fortune cookies and hearing about them in zoom conference calls! It's a great conversation starter that invites people to learn more about the importance of participating in the Census and the federal funding and congressional representation New York will lose if we don't secure a complete count of every resident.”
F.Y. Eye
CEO Norman Wong of Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based Wonton Food indicated that the family-owned business was honored to be a part of initiative. “Along with jury duty and voting, filling out the census is one of the civic responsibilities that we as citizens of this great country should participate in,” he said. “If we are not counted in the census, then government resources and services may not go where they are needed and instead will go elsewhere.”
The deadline for completing the census questionnaire is September 30 and it takes less than 10 minutes to fill out, said Robbins. You can participate online by visiting www.my2020census.gov.
The Link LonkAugust 21, 2020 at 08:25PM
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Did You Read The Fortune Cookie About…? - Forbes
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