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.
Kate says
My favorite memory of Christmas is when my sisters and I would crowd into one bed on Christmas Eve. My grandma would have their bed and we would all be up at the crack of dawn Christmas morning!
Christy says
My favorite memories are going to the late, late service at church where we exited in silence, which was so powerful. Then we delivered Santa gifts that we’d been hiding for our nieces and nephews.
Linda LaCroix says
Thank you for your efforts and all the good this will do.
Toni says
Mary, I enjoy your blog and love the recipes I have made. I cringe when I have to throw food away because of spoilage knowing I just wasted food and that there are many who go to bed hungry. I am donating to Feeding America upon your suggestion, thanks!
Michelle Osburn says
Thank you for reminding us of the importance of love and charity. May God continue to Bless You and your family in the New Year. Merry Christmas!
Sharon says
Good for you! Our second graders had a food drive for our local food pantry and in our small school raised over 1500 pieces of food in a few days.
Elizabeth Denholm says
Although we always have a lovely Christmas it’s been 20 years since we have had a youngster in the family. That’s going to change this year as we welcomed my great-niece Ava into the family in October. My mum is 86 and suffers from dementia & Parkinson’s disease. She’s declining quite rapidly now so we are all so looking forward to Christmas Day when we will have 4 generations together. My mum, my sister, my niece & my great-niece. Wishing you & yours a very Happy Christmas from the Denholm family, Glasgow, Scotland. God Bless
Tahishia Clinkscale says
Opening up gifts on Christmas is a blessing that sometime kids take for granted. So every year my children adopt a kid of their own to be a blessing to. So my five adopt five kids, through the homeless shelter, word of mouth about a family that’s on hard times, or social media showcasing a story. It warms my heart to see the expression on my child’s face as they witness a blessing unfold right in their face. To watch these kids unwrap gifts that they probably would not have had to unwrap, is truly a blessing. This is their fourth year and it is just amazing to see that sparkle in their eyes as they’re giving out blessings. December is not the only month to do this, ALL YEAR LONG is best. That is why we have started our mailbox ministry distributing out GOD’s grace and mercy to those whom GOD have spoken
Angela Cunningham says
I am so thankful to God for all the blessings I have received this Christmas, thank you for all that you are doing to help the hungry, and for all your wonderful inspiring recipes, may you and yours be blessed now and always xx
TERRI WOODS says
GODS BLESSINGS TO YOU AND EVERY LIFE THAT YOU TOUCH.
Mark Donnelly says
I made your White Chocolate Carmel Fudge for a Christmas Party at work and all of my friends loved it, some of them asked me if there was any leftovers 🙂 This recipie couldn’t be easier, and it was such an unexpectedly huge hit, thank you.
Belinda says
I love seeing the change people try to make everyday. So thoughtful to donate per comment left. You are to be truly blessed
BARBARA Hagee says
I used several recipes from your blog. It turned out. Awesome. Favorite one is 5 minutes fudge oh my goodness.
Patsy Adams says
This reads like a very worthy undertaking. After I get a grip on my husband’s health problem, I will know better if we can help with money. I know we are unable to help with our time.
Colleen Bennett says
My Christmas memories are that we never put the tree up until the 23rd or 24th because Santo would decorate it and bring the gifts. Those gifts from Santan were never wrapped they were just put under the tree just like they are in his bag on the sleigh. So the wrapped gifts were gifts that were given between family members. I was always surprised when I came down the stairs in the morning and seen my doll babies and baby buggy and other toys under the tree because I knew he had been there and would quickly run to see if he ate the milk and cookies.
Amber Bracegirdle says
My favorite Christmas memory is also my favorite Thanksgiving memory. For every holiday, my grandparents would adopt servicemen and women in basic training from our local army base. Kids that couldn’t get home for the holiday, and would otherwise be sitting in the barracks. We met so many lovely young people over the years, and it left such an impression on me at an early age. Due to security, we can’t do this now, as none of us are active or retired service members. But I find other ways to “adopt” people throughout the holidays, thanks to the example my grandparents set early on.
Michele says
I have many wonderful Christmas memories. I’m blessed beyond words that I have a wonderful family. God bless you for all that you do
Crystal says
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!
kathleen gentle says
Thanks!!!!
Diane says
Merry Christmas!