Donate Your Talents

The front line needs us. The ones unemployed and food needy need us. What can you do? Donate food. Donate your cooking and baking.

If you have a restaurant and extra food, see if you can donate to emergency and front line workers . People still need to eat and a hot meal, whether pasta, pizza or even a burger or BLT is much welcomed. There are non profit organizations out there that are paying for essential workers to eat. Contact your local ones to see if they want to partner with your eatery for this. You can also contribute to feeding those in need of meals' the homeless and the recently unemployed. Again there are non profit organizations that can pay for this and set up a tab. You could also deliver to the elderly's homes too. Donate any fresh food you haven't used to food banks or leave it out in bags for those to take. Any extra, bread, lettuce  and tomatoes can feed a family for a few days. If there's extra cake or desserts throw them in too. It'll be a treat to the kids. Also throw in those fun kids place mats and crayons. These would be appreciated by fraught parents looking for something extra for their kids to do.

If you're a good cook and baker  then think about donating your talent to helping too. You can create large family dinners for essential workers' families whose parents are on the front lines. Create easy to make care packages like lasagnas and casseroles. Rice and pasta dishes are also simple to whip up and pack. Create a few for neighbors who are on the front lines. There is nothing liked fresh baked goods. These offer not just good cheer but a heart felt thank you. Bake a few loaves of bread. It's not only soul soothing but versatile. It can be used for sandwiches, stuffing and even turned into bread crumbs when stale. Experienced bread makers can try different kinds like honey and sourdough. You can even try rolls which always go over big. Another comfort treat is a plate of cookies. There's nothing like chocolate chips , fresh from the oven, with gooey chips and crunchy walnuts. Vary the plate with homemade oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies or blossoms.

This is the time for all of us to step up. Donate anyway you can. Use your restaurant's kitchen. Use your own kitchen to help our during this time.

Meet The Parents

Parents of new students always have questions and qualms about their kids' classmates and their folks.One of the way to alleviate those anxieties is by having a get together  where everyone can get to know each other.

This type of get together is a great idea just remember that this month can be a busy one.An excellent time is either dinnertime Saturday or Sunday.These are perfect for meet and greets.The day's activities are over and done with and everyone is more relaxed.Invite grandparents and siblings too.Since it's still summer, (and will be for the next three weeks) think about eating outdoors.Barbecues are fun and great icebreakers.Just keep in mind guests' dietary restrictions,beliefs and allergies.It's fine if you go all vegan.Boca Burgers and Gardein have excellent tasting burgers that are sure to be crowd pleasers .Also think about veggie dogs too.Morningstar Farms are tasty.The Lightlife brands are very close to the actually ones both in taste and texture. Set up a fixings bar with sliced tomatoes and onions, lettuce and pickles along with different sauces and condiments.If you want, ask the other parents to bring their favorite dishes.It'll be culinary comfort for their kids but also helpful in expanding their palates.

Another idea is having an all inclusive dinner where everyone brings a dish celebrating their heritage.This involves making lists and e mailing each other to make sure there are no duplicates.Also ask everyone to list their ingredients to make sure allergy sensitive kids are safe.Having different recipes will definitely liven up the meal. A fun extra would be having the kids describe the dishes, the history and family connection. This idea can also extend to desserts too.Again, remember dietary restrictions and allergies.There can be all sorts of fun sweets, from baklava from Greece and the Arabic influenced countries to the Indian gulab juman, doughnuts.Of course you could make all natural popsicles using pureed fruit such as late season berries and peaches.Apple slices dipped in cinnamon are another healthy and delicious end, loved by adults and kids alike! End with goodie bags filled with all natural lollipops and school essentials such as fun shaped erasers, crayons and pencil sharpener.

Meet the parents with a fun get together.New friendships will be forged and not just between the kids.It's really is a great way of getting to know other classmates and their families.