What did we decide to do to fight hunger?
We went to one of our local grocery stores armed with a list of food our local food pantry needed in orange shirts. The campaign suggested we wear them and share why we were wearing them with others. I was able to share with two clerks at the grocery store about the campaign.
While at the grocery store, we searched for orange foods that were on their list. The food packaging was sometimes the only part of the products we found that were orange, but we thought it would count. The campaign didn’t suggest we look for orange foods I just thought it would be a fun look for food in the campaign’s color.
JDaniel found oatmeal in individual packets that were peaches and cream.
He found that Uncle Ben’s rice came in an orange container and decided we needed several of them. JDaniel also found peach applesauce, canned meat, ramen noodles, and canned fruit.
The box macaroni and cheese section had tons of orange boxes it was hard to decide which ones to put in the basket.
All in all, he found three grocery bags of food that we could take to the food pantry.
I was shocked to see how empty the food pantry’s shelves were. This is just one of four shelving units they have. The others looked very similar to this.
I think we are going to go back each month and drop off food. We will probably continue to shop with a color theme. Next month I think we will look for red foods.
Why? I count myself blessed that when my child is hungry I can put a meal on the table for him filled with healthy foods like chicken salad with mandarin oranges, mac and cheese, carrots and whole grain cheese crackers.
If you feel blessed to be able to do the same and want to become more involved, please visit the Moms Fighting Hunger Facebook group. You will find all the information you need to help there.
Such a great lesson to teach and involve a young man in. What a shame the shelves were so bare 🙁 You’re doing a great thing. Well done 🙂
How sad that the shelves are so empty. I’m glad you were able to help.
Our company actually gives meals to children in need…I would love to know if your local food bank is on our list.
What a wonderful idea!!!
Fantastic lesson to teach but such a shame the shelves are so empty. x
What an amazing cause. I will have to see if I have something similar to this in our area. It makes me sad to see those shelves so bare. Maybe more people will join in thanks to this post!
What a great lesson for JDaniel, and such a lovely thing to do!
That is so horrible. The shelves being so empty. I think we’ll go out this week/weekend with a specific goal in mind, as well. 🙁 What a great thing you did and a wonderful lesson to support others when we can.
it is horrible that the shelves are so bare…
but it’s wonderful that you are doing such a great thing
You have such a warm, generous heart. I love that you did this and that you want to continue to help!
That is awesome and a great example and lesson to your boy! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful project and it is shocking how bare those shelves are – I don’t even know whether we have anything similar in the UK but I am setting myself the target to find out. We will be doing our Harvest Festival collection for the local church from our pantry though and I believe that goes to one of the local woman’s hospices. Hopefully J will understand a little more of it this year.
I love that you are starting this at such a young age with JDaniel. The more he knows, the more he will care and that is a very good thing!
This a GREAT activity for you to do with JDaniel. So important to teach our children to be compassionate and helpful, as well as appreciate what we have.
I love your scavenger hunt and the idea of making it a monthly tradition with different colors for each month. I was sad to see how empty the shelves were. It’s a reminder of how important it is for all of us to get involved and help fight hunger!
You are teaching him so many important things.
It’s wonderful.
=)
What a wonderful post, Deidre. We are going to donate some food too pretty soon here, and your posts on this topic have really inspired me. I can’t believe that the shelves are so empty at our food pantries in Greenville. It is really sad.
A beautiful lesson to tie in with a muffin tin meal 🙂
Such a powerful cause to get involved with. We like to make similar trips to stock our favorite pantry.
I live near Camden, NJ & we have some of the most barren food pantries I’ve ever seen & it’s sad to know that so many Americans seek to help those in other countries but turn a blind eye for the needy within their own neighborhoods, towns, & even in their own families. I am trying to start a program for hungry schoolkids to get backpacks full of food for the weekend & over school breaks as I’ve found that far too many children are only getting full, nutritious meals in school & often have little to eat at home. While I get angry at those who abuse the welfare system, I’ve come to fnd out that there are many parents who cannot get social service help & are also unable to find gainful employment (one family has both mom & dad working 2 – 3 jobs each & find themselves having to choose between buying groceries, paying their mortgage or utility bills & while they were once too proud to seek out help, now rely on it to feed the kids (they often only eat 1 meal a day to have enough for the children)& this is happening all across our country. Thanks for caring for others in need & making philanthropy fun for your son.
I absolutely love your idea of searching for specific colored foods. That’s a great way to get your kids involved and make it fun. Thank you so much for sharing. I was rather emotional while reading because I too, feel so incredibly lucky.
great stuffs thanks guys i ve learnt alot
This is a wonderful idea. I love the idea of repeating this trip using different colors.
What a great cause!
Out of curiosity, do you happen to do Operation Christmas Child every year? This is my first year doing it and I am so excited to make shoeboxes for kids in need.
I’ve heard of this lately!
I love that you looked for all orange foods this time ’round — peach oats is my daughter’s favorite, by the way!
What a wonderful way to teach little ones to give back! We might just have to find our food pantry near us and go shopping; love the color idea!