Summer Support Vacation At A Soup Kitchen

Everyone tends to forget about food kitchens and food pantries when the temps go up. It's a funny concept that we have about those who need our help. We're fine about donating time and food items during the fall and winter , and ignore doing this in favor of our own pursuits come summer. Unfortunately neediness is year long.Those who needed our help and a meal in December still may need us and a plate of  home cooked goodness now.

If you have time, even a spare vacation day, you can help out at your local soup kitchen. There's always work to be done , whether prepping fruit and veggies or making sandwiches,Also  you can dispense cold drinks  for hot visitors and ice cream for their kids. Helping out is a good lesson for the your young ones too, especially for teens and tweens. It's a great way for them to use  vacation time and giving to the community. The kitchens probably need helping cleaning up along taking out garbage and dumping spoiled food. Volunteer to wash pots and pans as well as sweeping or mopping up floors.Some soup kitchens also contribute lunches to nearby preschools, (this may be more prevalent with churches  that have both ) Volunteer to make sandwiches or be a part of the breakfast program. The best part  is the smiles you'll receive.  Also suggest having weekend cookouts where families could gather for hot dogs and corn. It's a fun way of meeting people and brining the community closer together.

If you don't have time to donate, then donate your garden. So many of us wind up with overage. After all there's only so much tomato sauce to make or zucchini bread to bake. You'll not only contribute to their meals but to better nutrition too Even those bushel baskets bought at the farm or farmer's market can be halved and donated. These can also go to food pantries too, Giving families the chance to enjoy home cooked meals made with fresh and nutritious ingredients. It helps them cut back on eating processed foods and snacks too. Some stores are contributing  their unsold produce as well along with leftover breads and dairy products. Try to get your local farms involved too or have them introduce a day where those in need can shop there for half price.

Poverty is not a seasonal thing. It exists all through the year. If you can donate vacation time or some garden produce. Both will be a great summer gift.

Celebrating Dr.King's Legacy

We celebrate Dr. King's legacy today with service acts. It should be do ne all year long in small and big ways.There are so many in which foodies can to help the community and make people's diets better and  more nutritious.It's not about spreading the good, it's about spreading the good food.

Again I can not emphasize the importance of volunteering at a soup kitchen especially throughout the year.Many tend to only remember the homeless and destitute  during the winter months and holidays. Poverty is 24/7  as is need. Contribute as much as you can when you can.Also volunteering at nursing homes, along with helping to arrange parties to break the boredom is always needed. If you're a restaurant owner ask if you  can  donate any leftover foods such as soups and salads. emphasize to your staff how great it would be  if all of you worked at the local soup kitchen. Even bakeries can help by donating overage. It's a sin to waste day old rolls and cakes when they'd be a big plus adding to lunches and dinners.

Home gardeners and farmers can also contribute. Depending on how the summer goes  donate any bumper crops you may have  . Tomatoes are always appreciated  because they can be turned into everything from salad to sauce. Onions and garlic are also welcomed because they ,too , are versatile as well can be kept for a substantial amount of time. Even herbs can be donated. They are perfect for seasoning sauces and meats. Vegetables can also be used in creating soups which can be made in the summer and then frozen for the fall and winter. Any garden produce can be donated via Ample Harvest (www.ampleharvest.org) to food pantries in your area. This organization is great because it allows home farmers to contribute as well as providing fresh fruit and veggies to families in  need.

Dr. King envisioned a world where everyone could reach out and help each other. Continue that dream by helping your community. It could be a Sunday morning at a soup kitchen.It could be donating your garden's bounty . As long as it's reaching out to give your community nutritious ingredients and healthy meals.