Barefeet In The Kitchen will be donating $1 to Feeding America for every comment that is made on this blog post. In addition to that, on December 30th, we will be matching all donations that have been made to Feeding America through the link below, up to $2500.
If you’ve known me for long, you may recall that over the past few years, we’ve talked a lot about different ways to feed the hungry. Having grown up without an overabundance of food in the house, having a pantry full of groceries and a fridge full of fresh ingredients is something that I will never take for granted. I remember watching my mother cry over a gift of groceries and I remember countless meals of beans and rice. Though I grew up without an abundance of material things, I was richly blessed and I never went to bed hungry.
One of my favorite Christmas stories is from my mom. If you are fortunate enough to know her, you know what it’s like to see Christ’s love in action. Her perspective on everything is a reminder that we are truly blessed in the big and the little things. My mother would give you the shoes off her feet if you needed them. She recently shared this Christmas memory from years ago and I’m sharing it here with her permission:
“Our church was collecting canned goods in a box for a “poor family”. Every week I looked to see if anyone had put in a can of cranberry sauce. You see, the Lord had been nudging me to share my can of cranberry sauce. Big deal, you say? It was a very big deal because money was so tight that if I took my cranberry sauce to the church I would not be able to buy any more. Finally, I obeyed that gentle nudging on the last Sunday before Christmas. We still had cranberry sauce for Christmas because on the day before Christmas they delivered the whole box to us! I think God must have chuckled over my foolishness.”
Whether it’s sack lunches for the homeless, or donations in the grocery store, food drives, or wherever you find a need locally and try to help, there is no wrong way to help.
Once again, as the end of the year approaches, I’d love to get as much food as possible into the homes of those who need it. Every dollar you give through our Virtual Food Drive helps provide 11 meals for people in need. We can work together to make a HUGE impact in many lives this holiday season.
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, they provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America.
Earlier this year, I flew to Ohio for a visit to a dairy farm with American Dairy Association Mideast. We toured the farm, oohed and aahed over the newborn calves, and I was even lucky enough to be there in time to feed one myself.
While in Ohio, I learned about The Great American Milk Drive. Milk is a nutrient powerhouse with 8 grams of natural, high-quality protein and eight other essential nutrients in every 8-ounce glass. Nutritionists recommend that each person drink three servings of milk per day. But on average, Feeding America food banks only have enough supply to provide one gallon of milk…per person…per year.
Fresh milk is one of the items people request the most and it’s also one of the least donated items. Through Milk Life and Feeding America you can donate funds directly towards milk that will be provided at the local food banks.
I researched a great many charities before deciding to support Feeding America. Feeding America spends 94.13% of their budget directly on food distribution endeavors. You can examine their ranking among other charities here.
Please consider joining Barefeet In The Kitchen and helping feed the hungry this holiday season.
Donate to Feeding America HERE
Leave a comment sharing your favorite Christmas memory. (Reading your stories is one of my favorite things to do each Christmas!) Barefeet In The Kitchen will donate $1 for each comment on this blog post and we will also be matching all donations made to Feeding America up to $2500.
Robin says
Merry Christmas to you, and may God bless you!
Gail B says
Loved your story about the cranberry sauce donation. why are we surprised that God takes care of us?
Stacey says
Wow – this is wonderful! This season is about doing for others and you are a shining example!! Many blessings.
Lauri says
This is a wonderful charity, I don’t know how I would have feed my family if it were not for food banks,
Kristen says
I love that you are doing this as feeding the hungry and taking care of the homeless and less fortunate is a cause so close to my heart. Thank you! (And I love the story about your mom).
Tara says
My favorite Christmas memory is the breakfast my mom would make. She would make thin pancakes wrapped around cream cheese and covered in strawberry sauce. Super simple but we only had it Christmas morning, maybe that’s why it seemed so special.
Doug says
Thank you for helping others less fortunate
Rose says
I love this and I feel blessed that I can help Feeding America!
One of my very favorite Christmas memories, is the year we were struggling financially and didn’t have much to give. We opened up the door Christmas morning and my sister and her husband had left a mound of gifts for our family. I will never forget How loved I felt.
cheryl says
My Dad’s birthday was December 24th so this time of the year was always so very special to him, he always lived by the motto “in a world where you can be anything be kind” my Dad would do anything for anyone and he spent not only during the holiday season but all through the year volunteering his time at Lutheran Social Services, bringing food from our church or delivering food in his big old station wagon. Our family did not have much but as he would always say “we have more than enough.” My Dad has now passed away but the integrity and character values he taught us are being still carried out not only by his children but his grandchildren as well. I always believe you keep a persons memory alive by telling their story, thank you for allowing me to share a precious memory of my Dad. Thank you for supporting Feeding America, our family supports not only them but the other food banks in our community. In this country no one should have to go hungry
Donna says
Let’s feed America’s children 💕🙏🏼
joan says
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and all the sharing you do. Great ideas, good information and awareness of others….thanks.
Jeanne says
Thank you for reminding us that sharing is a blessing that returns to us in many different ways!
AMANDA says
I have a lot of great memories, but I am sure starting this year, all of my future ones will be the best! I have a daughter who will be having her first Christmas this year, and I can’t wait to share the love and magic of Christmas with her during the holiday season and every other day of the year!!
Joyce says
Merry Christmas and God Bless you for helping. I see the homeless and hungry everyday and it seems like there are more people struggling than resources to help these days.
Bif says
Love your blog post and recipes. Thank you for donating to Feed America and your recommendation of the charity.
Lea says
How wonderful, and meaningful that you are doing this. Thi s is truly a valuable cause.
Cherri Tompkins says
This is a very worthy cause. Thanks Barefeet In The Kitchen.
Connie Janke says
Mary, we are glad to support you in this effort. Our own community food bank serves over 300 families a week and we are thankful for the opportunity to share our time and treasure with this important local resource.
Beverly says
Oh, thank you. This is such a good idea. So many hungry people in this scary time.
That is shocking about the lack of milk. Some years ago dairy farms were dumping milk.
Good Luck! Hope many of us comment. I never have 🙂
Give your mother a big hug.
Happy Holidays!
SammieL says
My Favorite Christmas memory would have to be when we’re young… would be decorating our tree… and watching Babes in Toyland. Still carry the tradition now but with Watching the Grinch