Christmas All Year Community

The Idea:
When we went grocery shopping last week, I noticed they had the side dishes on sale for under a dollar. I knew I already had tons in my cupboard, but then a thought occurred to me, why not buy a couple a start a food donation box for the holidays. My kids' school has a food drive every year and this would be a great opportunity. Mind you, we don't have lots of money, but I figured for under $2 I could get a couple and donate. After mulling it over for a few days, I thought wouldn't it be great if we could all do this. So my fun food challenge was born.

The Challenge:
Every time you go grocery shopping from now until December 15th, pick up one or two extra non-perishable items for your local food bank or to give to a food drive. Try to pick items that you like, because I'm sure others would like them too. Remember to check best before and due dates.

That's 3 months and if you go shopping every week and pick up one extra item you could collect 14 items. If you're like me and shop every 2 weeks that's 7 items.

Anyone up for the challenge?

We had food drives back home too. Church, Guides, Scouts etc.. all do them. I can't say I've ever seen them done here tho. You see boxes in the supermarkets for donations of pet food for the animal shelters, but thats about it.

I think what I need to do is contact a couple of the local churches and the Sally Ann to see if they do this or would be interested in accepting a donation of a box of stuff. I'm sure they would. They may even have a similar program, I'm just not aware of it.

Great idea Mrs C!

I'm asking my kids about their favourite foods and what they would give to those in need. I'm asking them that if it were them needing to get food from the food bank what types of food would they like to get and we're trying to find them on sale (makes it easier to afford and get a couple of items). I'm also thinking nutritiously too - so it's not all junk food.

This coming week is grocery shopping time, so we'll be adding to our box.

That's a great idea....and that will help lots of people! Yes, count me in.

I was just thinking about this yesterday. I think we need to try it again this year. During grocery shopping I saw some noodle side dishes on for 99cents so we bought a couple to start our box again.

This is a great idea!

I love this idea!
Buying one or two items every other week when shopping is a lot easier to do than trying to buy a whole bunch of items right before Christmas.
I bought a box of KD(whole wheat) and soup .
Our school usually has a mitten tree, and a large box for the food bank. Last year the teachers asked that we bring a small toy for a child, instead of a teachers gift at Christmas.

MM--I think it's wonderful that your teachers would ask for a donated toy instead of a gift for themselves. Our church's bible store will be open for the kids by the middle of December. Not only will they be able to purchase toys for themselves, they can buy gifts for their siblings and parents. It should really help out some of our families who are having a hard time making it. Also our church gives out cash donations to some of the struggling families in our congregation, but I know of another church that fills food gift baskets and gives them to the needy. Hopefully one day our church will have the resources to do a food basket program.

How's the challenge currently going for everyone? I'm so far doing great and really feeling that special x-mas spirit!

I took dd and one of her little friends to the library this week for the summer reading program and noticed that they have a food donation box set up there. I have never seen these boxes set up at any time other than Christmas so I guess that says alot about the economy right now. I'm planning on picking up a few things and dropping them off on our next visit.

The schools here are offering free summer meals for all kids 18 and under. They eat the meal there then take a bag of groceries home with them. I'm sure this is helping out a lot of families this summer.

CandyKane wrote:The schools here are offering free summer meals for all kids 18 and under. They eat the meal there then take a bag of groceries home with them. I'm sure this is helping out a lot of families this summer.

That's a wonderful program CandyKane. We have a similar volunteer program here.