We're destitute. Again. We managed to scrape the money to publish the current issue of Eat the State! together by the hair of our chinny-chin-chins. But our current "business plan" is clearly not sustainable.

It wasn't terribly long ago that we sent out a similar call for money. A few kind souls offered up generous donations, for which we're exceedingly appreciative. But it really only amounted to a stop-gap. If we thought this meant that nobody is reading the paper, we'd probably chuck in the towel. But all indications are that a great many people read and value Eat the State! immensely.

So we thought we'd do some fairly basic arithmetic here, to demonstrate just how easily the publication could be placed upon solid financial footing.

It takes roughly $500 to publish each issue: $350 for printing, $90 for postage, and $60 for layout. Apart from the layout (which--especially considering the quality and reliability of Mr. Scott's services--is obtained on the very cheap), all labor is performed by volunteers; and all articles and graphics are donated as well.

Publishing biweekly, this tots up to $13,000 per annum to do the job. Additionally, we maintain about $5,000 in outstanding debt.

As for the other side of the equation, we estimate that 5,000 people regularly read the publication. This means you! If each of these people were to donate just $5--a lousy five bucks--we could not only retire the debt, but also publish for about a year-and-a-half without even once having

to worry where the money is going to come from. (And assuming our current modicum of advertising revenue, could in all likelihood publish for two years before the well would again run dry.)

If not, then we just may have to chuck in the towel after all. We're not trying to sound alarmist, just realistic. As our fundraising appeals grow ever more frequent, the already few $100-range donations will almost surely

grow ever less frequent.

So there you have it. If you feel the paper is a resource worth $5 every two years, please pass it along. We'll of course accept more, but 5,000 $5 donations will go much further in the long run than will 15 $100 donations.

Five bucks. P.O. Box 85541, Seattle, WA, 98145.

And, as we prepare to enter our fifth delectable year, an extra-special thanks to all who have supported us through thick and thin!

--ETS! Staff