New Year’s Resolutions that Save Lives!

inspiration, Karah,

New Years Resolutions

Confession: I’m a bit of a cynic when it comes to resolutions. I rarely make them because I know no one keeps them. I used to work in a gym’s childcare center.  Every year in January and February the parking lot would be full. The locker room would be full. The childcare center would be full. And by March, resolutions faded and we were back to just the regulars. The regulars and staff hated the January crush of new members hogging all the space. We all knew that it was just a phase, and while it lasted the “resolutioners” were clogging up the system.

I have new resolutions this year, something that’s not about me, and I think that’s a plan that will help me make resolutions that stick. Plus, sharing them with you creates accountability, and that helps too (I hope!).

  1. Blog every week – 52 posts that keep me thinking about the hungry and researching solutions.
  2. Participate in Food Shelf Friday 50 of 52 weeks in 2015. If for some reason a Friday doesn’t work, I give myself permission to hold the FSF meal on another night of the week.  It’s not about the day of the week; it’s about simplifying for the sake of providing more food for my food shelf.
  3. Participate in packing meals at Feed My Starving Children 6 times in 2015. My family participates in their M&M tube fundraiser. We bought tubes of mini-M&Ms at FMSC, and after we enjoyed the chocolate, we hold on to the tubes and fill them with quarters.  Each tube holds $12.  We plan to go to FMSC when our three tubes are filled, but life happens and we always have to wait for everyone to get healthy, or for the stars to align on our schedules.  This year, I’m making it a priority.

How about you? What resolutions are you setting for 2015, and what do you do to make sure your resolutions stick better than the people at the gym?

SNAP (food stamps) 101

Government Programs

SNAP 101

People have strong feelings about the American government’s food stamp program, SNAP. There are always calls for reform of the system, with some complaining that there are people who fall through the cracks while others complain of individuals abusing the system. Without getting involved in that debate, I want to give you a basic understanding of the program and how it works. I do not deny that there are abuses in the system, but that’s not the point of this post. I just want to give you an introduction to the American food stamp system. If you want to get involved in the debate elsewhere, this will give you some basic understanding.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP beneficiaries receive an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card that works like an ATM card with a PIN, but which can only be used to make approved nutrition purchases. The card replaced the old “stamps” or paper coupon system in all 50 states.

Over 46 million Americans receive some amount of assistance from the program each month (as of September 2014 – the number varies from month to month). Monthly support amounts vary depending on financial need and family makeup, but the average is just $133 per month. The program is paid for entirely by the federal government, but administered by the states. The administration costs are split 50-50 between the state and federal governments. The program cost the federal government $76.4 billion in 2013.

What you CAN buy with SNAP:
– Food for household consumption
(cereal, bread, fruits, veggies, meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products)
– Produce at the farmers market
– Seeds and seedlings for growing food

What you CAN’T buy with SNAP:
– Beer, wine, liquor
– Tobacco products
– Non-food items like pet food, personal hygiene items, and diapers
– Vitamins and medicines
– Foods that will be eaten in store
– Hot food (the idea is groceries, not restaurants)

To qualify, one must meet residency and income requirements, fill out an application, and be interviewed by a SNAP worker. The process varies a bit from state to state, but an application and more information can be found here.

Some sites I used to get the stats in this blog post:
http://www.Frac.org
http://www.Fns.usda.gov/snap

30 “Not-So-Random” Acts of Kindness

inspiration

acts of kindness chalkboard

Happy Food Shelf Friday everyone!  Tonight we had a lovely ladies’ holiday event at my church, and my husband and son helped themselves to leftovers.  So we didn’t have a typical FSF meal this week, but we did add a box of cereal and two cans of veggies to our stash of things to drop off at the food shelf.  With the boys eating leftovers tonight we spent virtually nothing on dinner, so that’s a bonus.  You know the old WWII adage: use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.  Eating leftovers is a great way to “use it up”

This week I have compiled a list for you of 30 ways that you can bless others – “not-so-random acts of kindness”

1. Bake for friends, coworkers, your church staff, the teachers at your kids’s school, neighbors, etc.

2. Make blessing bags for the homeless – I promise a blog post on this idea soon, but the basic idea is bags with a variety of healthy, useful items like a toothbrush, healthy snacks, soap, etc. that you keep in your car and when you see someone in need, you have a bag ready to hand out that will hopefully make their day brighter by meeting some needs.  If you’re interested in this before I get a blog post together, there are lots of pins about it on Pinterest.

3. Leave a couple dollars in a library book about financial management, paying off debt, etc.  Add a kind note about how financial responsibility is a worthy endeavor and suggesting that your surprise cash is for a treat.

4. Pay for the car behind you at the drivethru.  This happened to me once, totally made my day.

5. During the holidays, participate in Operation Christmas Child and make up a shoebox of gifts to bless a kid in another part of the world.

6. Sponsor a child through Compassion International.  If you already do this…

7. Write to your sponsored child.  Send him or her some stickers, coloring pages, or something.  Again, there are whole Pinterest boards dedicated to Compassion letters.

8. Pack meals at a place like Feed My Starving Children or at a Kids Against Hunger event.

9. Attend a church work day or ask your pastor what you can do to help out.

10. Rake, mow, or shovel for someone else.  This is especially appreciated by the elderly and physically disabled.

11. Host a food drive.  This can be as simple as putting a collection box in your office and sending out an email to your coworkers, or you could plan a bigger event at your church or other organization.

12. Host a school supplies drive in the fall.  When I was a kid I really, really wanted the BIG box of name brand crayons with the sharpener in the back, but that just wasn’t necessary enough to make the budget.  We often used last year’s tattered supplies until they absolutely had to be replaced.  Today I honestly revel in back to school shopping.  I love to think about the kids making do with broken old crayons and half used notebooks who can have fresh, new, name-brand supplies because I spent a little extra.  This is another topic I’ll explore more fully in another post, so check back this fall!

13.  Host a diaper drive.  Thought I’d leave all the “drives” together on the list.  Did you know that diapers and baby wipes are not covered by EBT (food stamps)?  This shocked me.  Families in need often have to make expensive diapers go as far as possible, which means little ones sit in wet diapers too long and are more likely to get diaper rash.  There is an organization here in Minnesota that gathers and distributes diapers to help alleviate that.  It’s called The Diaper Drive.

14. Rescue a pet.  I know, I know.  That’s a BIG decision and a BIG commitment.  What I’m really suggesting is that if you’re thinking about a pet, consider adoption.

15. Volunteer at the local animal shelter.  Some shelters use volunteers to walk, feed, or play with the pets.  They also accept donations of pet food, cat litter, and treats.

16. Invite someone over for dinner.  You’re eating anyway, you might as well enjoy some good company too!

17. Make “Birthday Bags” for a local food shelf.  This is also a project that will someday have its own post (what is that, four now?).  Birthday bags are simply bags that contain a cake mix, frosting, candles, and maybe birthday plates or party gifts.  For families barely scraping by and depending on the food shelf just to put dinner on the table, birthdays are heartbreaking.  These people love their children, and a birthday bag lets them treat their kid’s birthday like the special occasion that it is while sparing them the additional financial stress.

18.  Leave quarters in a gumball machine.  Isn’t that a fun idea?  I found that online and I just loved it.  I can only imagine my son’s reaction to getting the coveted gumball without having to wear me down.

19. Send a random letter, email, or flowers to someone you love.  Who doesn’t like getting real mail, flowers, or just words of encouragement.

20. Write a letter to soldiers serving overseas.  Or missionaries serving overseas.  Or anyone who is far from home and family.

21. Pick up litter.  While you’re walking that rescue pet, take a bag and a glove along (you’ll probably need it for the dog anyway, but we won’t go into that…) and grab litter you see on the streets and yards.

22. Give away garden produce or homemade goodies.  Every summer my son and I go berry picking and spend a whole day together making and canning jam.  He doesn’t eat the stuff, and neither does my husband.  I keep a few jars to get me through the year and give away the rest.  People LOVE homemade preserves, bread, garden produce, etc. but sometimes don’t have the space or ability to make/grow their own.  I just ask my friends to give back the empty jars so I can keep giving away jam every year.

23. Tip BIG – service jobs are tough.  Especially when it’s busy and everyone wants your attention, and when it’s slow and you don’t make any money.  15-20% is standard, but once in a while it’s fun to go above and beyond and really bless someone who does a good job and works hard!

24. Feed a parking meter that’s about to expire. Sometimes we all need a few extra minutes grace…

25. Donate blood or blood plasma.

26. Hold the door, pull out a chair, say please and thank you with sincerity.

27. Go Christmas caroling.

28. Visit nursing home residents.

29. Read to a child or help an older kid study.

30. Pray, pray, pray – It seems like a small thing, but it moves mountains!

There are lots more, I’m sure!  I made a “Random Acts of Kindness” board on the FSF Pinterest page. Click HERE to check them out! Add your favorite in the comments!

Service Project Playlists

inspiration

songs for serving

There is nothing like a good song to get you inspired and energized and to set the mood for your day’s adventures! Lately I’ve been building a playlist of songs that inspire me and my family when we do service projects. Here’s what we have so far…

1. “Do Something” by Mathew West – I love that opening part when he’s complaining about all the trouble in the world and he says, “God, why don’t you do something?” The answer, “I did. I created YOU!” It’s an awesome reminder that God put me on this earth to be a blessing to others.

2. “Hands and Feet” by Audio Adrenaline.  An oldie (2001, but I could swear it’s A LOT older), but a goodie.  Audio A still appeals to this recovering grunge gen-Xer.

3. “Kings and Queens” by the new incarnation of Audio Adrenaline (not the newest version of the band, but the brief period when Kevin Max Smith from DC Talk was the frontman).  This song is powerful, both lyrically and in presentation.  The music video is fun too.  It has the band and some Hatian kids having a snowball fight of sorts with color war powder.

4.  “Give me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath – nothing inspires compassion like seeing the world through Jesus’s eyes. I don’t know about you, but I often miss opportunities to help others because I don’t think of it until it’s too late. So this song is like my prayer that I would see things how Jesus sees them: to notice needs and be moved to help.

5. “Fix my Eyes” by For King and Country.  This is my current favorite song. It’s upbeat and powerful. The chorus lists wonderful acts of service that we all know we should be doing if we’re actively living out faith the way Jesus taught, and then he closes with the clincher, “…above it all – Fix my eyes on YOU!” I love that reminder; it’s easy to burn out trying to be good or do good things when you take your eyes off God and see only the world’s troubles.

So that’s my little playlist.  I’m always looking to add songs as five go by too fast!

There are some good secular songs too for inspiring service:

“Imagine” by John Lennon

“We are the World”

Pretty much anything U2 has done in the last 25 years.

“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey

“Change the World” by Eric Clapton

“With a Little Help from my Friends” by Joe Cocker

“Help!” by the Beatles

“Volunteers” by Jefferson Airplane

The list goes on and on!  Add your favorite volunteering anthems in the comments!

My story and the first Food Shelf Friday

Karah

logo_1205775_web

I thought I would use this week’s post to tell you my story and the story of how Food Shelf Friday came into being…

I spent 11 years as a stay-at-home mom.  I loved being with my son, attending field trips, helping in the classroom, going on playdates, etc.  We were involved with a great support/activity group called MOMS Club, and I really enjoyed the camaraderie and service projects with other SAHMs.  But once J went off to school full-time, there wasn’t a lot in that group for me.  I became discouraged, and felt like I was trading my life for my son’s and doing no other good in the world.  I remember one particular Sunday morning when the pastor said that God has already given you the talents to fulfill your mission in this life.  Your skills and passions are useful to God.  Now, I was not feeling particularly skilled or passionate.  I was frustrated.  I prayed, “Lord, I make good cookies.  What are you going to do with that?”

Apparently, God took me up on that sarcastic, frustrated challenge.  I began to notice food needs in a new and more pressing way.  I dabbled in food ministry meals for new moms and those coming off hospitalization, helped at funeral luncheons, participated in food drives, and started packing meals at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC).  None of this was regular or consistent, but there was a definite theme to the volunteer opportunities I accepted.  I found that my mind became more aware and my heart became more burdened with the world’s need for food.  But in my everyday reality I was still pursuing education, my career as a historian, and comfort above all.

Then came another red letter day for me, when FMSC posted the quote, “Live Simply so others can Simply Live,” on their Facebook page.  I was struck by that, convicted, and uncomfortable.  I wished that I hadn’t seen it.  I justified my comfort and my stuff before God.  I tried ignoring the prompting that was always with me.  I kept doing little things, a can of food here, a prayer there, to appease that call to live simply.  I told God that I would give hunger my full attention once He revealed His whole plan for my life.  Like a pebble in my shoe, this awareness of the world’s great need and my great abundance was always there poking me.  And the faster I tried to get away from it, the more it pressed into my soul.

I read Mark Batterson’s book All In.  I was jealous of the people he uses as examples.  They had a clear plan and dropped everything to see it through.  I read Jen Hatmaker’s 7, and I was reminded again of how much waste is in my life.  I read Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (full disclosure, I haven’t finished this one yet, grad school makes me a slow reader) and I was astounded by the facts and figures.  So many people lack basic nutrition.  So much food is wasted and thrown away.  I am the chief among sinners.  But I was still lost about what to do.

Enter the promo videos for Hope For Dinner, my church’s new food shelf initiative, and my small group’s involvement in those programs.  I noticed that many people wanted to get involved but didn’t know what the food shelves needed, or that nutrition for the poor is so much more than calorie deprivation.  Sitting on my bed researching top food shelf needs on the internet, Food Shelf Friday was born.  I can’t feed the world’s hungry by myself, but I can educate and provide resources so that all of us are more aware of the needs and the solutions, the pitfalls and the resources, so we all can do more with our efforts.  And so that very day I began building the Food Shelf Friday blog.

The name “Food Shelf Friday” is from my personal plan to swap out my family’s dinner on Fridays for the kind of dinner families receive from a food shelf.  With the money we save by this simplified menu, we provide an identical meal to our local food shelf.  For example, tonight we are eating Tuna Helper and peas, and the food shelf received the same box of Helper, cans of tuna, and cans of veggies that we’re eating.  Without breaking my family’s food budget we can give away more and gain awareness of the food shelf user’s experience.

It is my hope and prayer that this blog and Facebook page will be tools to inspire and equip people who care about the hungry – that we would be informed and compassionate members of the developed world – that we would see needs and feel empowered to help rather than guilty about our success and comfort.  I welcome your ideas, questions, and suggestions.

“Follow me as I follow the example of Christ” – 1 Corinthians 11:1