Cooking For A Cause: Donate To Local Food Banks

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

If you are like me, you are in utter disbelief that it is already December. I barely had time to blink at Halloween costumes, and the next thing I knew I started hearing Wal-Mart Christmas commercials playing regularly. It’s that time of year again, the most wonderful time of the year, the perfect time to remember those less fortunate than you.

Food is a big staple of the holidays, and for many it is what brings families together. Finding the perfect turkey, mash potatoes or yams, a last minute-run to the store because you ran out of butter - all of these things remind me of the holidays at my Mom’s house, but for one in eight Americans, feeding the family isn’t this easy.

Feeding America, the nations leading domestic hunger relief charity, services over 25 million Americans each year, including nine million children and nearly three million seniors. According to Feeding America’s Web site, their mission is to “feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.” The network includes 200 food banks, which can be found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. John van Hengel, a retired businessman, founded the charity in the late 1960’s. Hengel, volunteered at a local soup-kitchen and began soliciting food from grocery stores and business, and 40 years later the company is feeding millions. Today, Feeding America is backed by many financial partners including: Target, Netflix, The Cheesecake Factory, Winn-Dixie, and Tyson Foods, just to name a few.

The truth of the matter is, while you and I are busy planning out recipes and deciding what family member will bring the dessert, countless volunteers are working to gather enough food to feed an estimated 25 million Americans. So why not take a little money that you have been saving for Christmas shopping, and donate to your local Food Bank? To find a local food bank close to you click here. I would like to believe that together, if even just for a day, we can alleviate hunger in America.

Happy holidays to you and your family, and remember to shop Uptown Liz when looking for the perfect gift!