If you read Sixpences blog, especially yesterday, this ties in with his post titled On Giving. More families and individuals in this country seem to be hungry and in need more than ever. The numbers are growing larger every year. When I worked at Bloomingdales, the visual team and I always did food drives and volunteered time in food pantries, at various ones every season. We would often pick the same ones, or we would pick a different one each season. It was an eye opener the people that would come in...and everyone was truly grateful to have a place to be given a box of food or get served a hot meal. It wasn't till this weekend that my uncle's visiting son and his wife Martha were here for a visit that I learned she was the Executive Director of Second Chance Foods, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating hunger and extreme food waste. We had a great conversation... she about her passion and mine with the Sheldrick Trust and ASPCA....but she opened my eye to just how much food this country wastes...not only from markets and grocery venues but from farms themselves. I was even further blown away she was featured recently back two months ago on the CBS Morning Show. Here is my cousin Martha and what she is trying to do.
You can go and learn more about Second Chance Foods here. My family sure does have many charity involvements and a wide range of donation interests. But my late aunt and uncle taught the kids and even myself to love and care for the planet and all species of life. I can't lie, I am quite proud of the family I'm in and am truly grateful for them.
Sounds like a worthwhile charity.
ReplyDeletesure it is!
DeleteYou and your family have my admiration.
ReplyDeleteSome days, between all of us...we seem to have many different interests and topics covered. I'm the one on the animal front.
DeleteUnfortunately the video wouldn't play here in Canada, but your family's devotion to charity is great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming video, at heartwarming people. Your cousin Martha seems like an amazing person to be doing this. And I love that she said we wouldn't serve anything that we wouldn't serve on our own table. That says a lot. Much luck to her and everyone with this organization on this endeavor.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteYes! More people should do this. Absolutely.
And why stop during the Holidays when it can be done all year long?
XOXO
That is why I love their foundation...they do it year-round but come growing season they have so much more at their disposal because of the farm.
DeleteIt's not hard to give; it doesn't have to be a lot, just whatever you can give.
ReplyDeleteThat's just it Bob. And even volunteering to serve meals and prepare meals is also a huge help too.
DeleteThat is certainly one of the best news reports I have seen lately. it also reminds me of how lucky I am .
ReplyDeleteIf we have our health, food and a roof over our heads, can we complain for much else?
DeleteYou'd be amazed at the amount of food restaurants (have to) waste. It's a damn shame. Some now give it to the food banks where meals are served to the homeless. I find that to be a good thing. The bad thing about it are the number of people who show up for the free food or meals and don't really need it. But I suppose that's gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteYour cousin and his wife have every reason to be proud of that accomplishment. The old family farms are the ones making this difference. God knows Big Agra doesn't.
DeleteUntil we were talking during dinner I had no idea she was involved with such a thing until she showed us the new snippet. And told us all about Second Chance.
DeleteMartha Elder joins all those wonderful people dedicated to helping others. Here our food waste is collected every week to turn into compost. Sadly not everyone uses the service. Supermarkets give their foodstuffs they can't sell to food banks and I am sure that happens in the US as well. Like Tommy, I know how lucky I am not to worry about food, heating or a roof over my head but I know (even if the Prime Minister doesn't) that plenty of people are only one missed paycheque away from homelessness.
ReplyDeleteYour closing line I'm sure also applies here Helen. The growing number of poor and poverty level is close to getting out of control. God forbid they should rise the minimum wage.
DeleteWhen I buy groceries at Vons, I always give an extra $5 at the register for the holiday food drives they do. I don't like to donate food itself. Now that I have T2D, I'm a lot more cognizant of the types of foods I eat as well as what kind of foods are in the bins. I would like that $5 to give people in need healthier food to eat.
ReplyDeleteThat's just it. Many people also donate food which is nice...but also must remember that true homeless people don't have a burner or pots and pans to make pasta or Mac and cheese and such.
DeleteWhat a amazing and great thing to doing!!! Like everything else....we have become a disposable society with everything...including food. Bless you cousin and those who have a true passion to helping others. And I can tell she is a nature lovers. I recall stories of your family ....and their passions and interest for the planet. You come from good stock Mistress. You should be proud.
ReplyDeleteA very wonderful thing to do!
ReplyDeleteYou come from a fine family, my love, which is no surprise to me. Go, Martha! I'm very careful about what I purchase at the grocery store so I can avoid wasting anything.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Us too. I think people just buy without thinking. When I shop, I only allow myself one sweet treat and one snack item. I won't buy any others till those are gone before buying more. And I only buy what I need. It helps cut waste greatly.
DeleteYour a dear.
There is no reason most farm couldn't instill this. I would hate to even hear how much food gets wasted...in just one country. I hope we will see more and more programs like this. Christmas after we go to church, my best peep and I go to help serve down at The Food Pantry, and just talk with people. They appreciate that too. I can see the passion with your cousin.
ReplyDelete