The Season Of Kindness

 This is All Soul's Day, a day when most Christians memorialize those we have lost - and this year we have lost many. Yet we also need to honor and help the living. It's time we come together to feed and nourish each other during what will be a difficult holiday season.

Again, it's so important to contribute to various food drives and food pantries right now. If you can, please  help those who are solely giving out food parcels.  This could be packaging or helping to hand out. It could also mean helping to shop and gather important foodstuffs such as cans of beans and veggies as well as containers of milk and orange juice. Another way of helping is financially contributing. If you don't have the money , then consider a pot in which family, friends and neighbors can put as low as ten dollars. You can easily raise $200 to $300. Also pay your local restaurants to supply dinners for those in need. If you live in or near Red Bank and  Toms River,  New Jersey there is Jon Bon Jovi's JBJ Soul Kitchen where you can volunteer to serve delicious food to those who need it. Donate enough to pay for a dinner out for a family or couple who needs a day or night out. Other restaurants are doing this too in your area. Find out where they are and contribute financially.

Many are also going to be alone this  holiday season, whether for Thanksgiving or Christmas. You may not be able to include them physically yet there are ways to share. One is sending over a portion of your dinner and then Zoom eating with them. It's a way of being inclusive without being in the same room or house. another is making an entire dinner for them. Include their favorite dishes too, whether it's cornbread stuffing or pumpkin pie. Christmas is the same idea too. share part of your ham or turkey dinner with them. Include their favorite or family dishes in your meal plan as well. If they want to contribute, let them. It's always fun to try new dishes and flavors. Again you can share all this on Zoom. The same applies to Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  For Christmas Eve, remember to include a plate full of homemade cookies. Ask what the person's favorite cookies are and make them. Toss in some  candy canes and chocolate kisses too in the platter for more fun and flavor. For New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, bring over a bottle of champagne to make the day festive. Again remember to include the person on Zoom.

Make this the season of kindness. Cook and bake extra for those who need it. Contribute financially to food pantries and restaurants who help those in need. We're all in this together. Let's unite over a good meal , good drinks and good talk.