The Gift of Food

How easy it is to take our lives for granted. We count on the luxuries in our lives; being able to drive a car, use a computer, call or text from a cell phone. Could we survive without those things? Sure, perhaps with a few withdrawal symptoms for some, but all in all we don't have to have those things to survive. What about food? Luxury? Most of us are able to go to our cabinet and have a choice of what we are going to fix for dinner each night. If nothing looks good how easy it is just to run to the store and pick something up that is more appealing for the night.

This year our extended family tried something new for Christmas. With the news of bare shelves at so many food pantries in the area being broadcast, we decided to give the gift of food. It was simple. Instead of buying that pair of socks for Uncle Jim or that gift card for the nephew who has everything we proposed the idea of giving the gift of food to each other instead. There was some resistance by those who really wanted to mark the event by purchasing a personalized gift but was surprisingly well received by most.












The plan was that all the food would be brought Christmas day and those interested would build something out of the food. Do you know it's not easy to balance cans on a macaroni box? Just ask Austin he tried. After the holidays were over, the food was donated to Catholic Charities. A great place to drop off just about anything.

We've all seen the Harvesters barrels in the stores and the opportunities to donate at the register in different denominations. What stops us from taking that step in making that much needed donation?

This year we will continue to blog our journey and hope each of you search for opportunities to lift each other up through volunteerism. Make it your gift this year!