Day 87: Give Food to Homeless

Today, on our way home from a friend's house there was a man standing on the corner with a sign that said Hungry, anything helps. We had a bunch of snacks in our car so I quickly organized them, found a bag to put them in and gave the guy the food for our Good Human Act. A friend of mine suggested, a while ago, to keep a few food items in the car for occasions like today and that would have been a great thing to have. I am going to put a bag with some food in my middle console today so I will have that available for next time.

Day 76: Donate Old Eye Glasses

I just picked up my new pair of glasses! It has been a while since I got an eye exam, I think I am in denial that my vision is slowly getting worse. It is still not that bad -1.25 on each eye with a slight astigmatism, but still it's bad enough that I need to be wearing them daily to drive. When I got to the Dr.'s office to pick up my new frames I brought my old ones in hopes that they would have some sort of recycling or donation set up and fortunately they did! They donate all the glasses they receive to the local Lion's Club who then in turn donates them to people in need of them throughout the world.

The local NM Lion's Club website allows you to find a drop off place for your donations near you and helps people to contact them if vision assistance is needed. Here is a bit more about the Lion's Club International:

Lions Clubs – Ready to Help, Worldwide

Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That's because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy.

We Give 100 Percent

Our 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members make us the world's largest service club organization. We're also one of the most effective. Our members do whatever is needed to help their local communities. Everywhere we work, we make friends. With children who need eyeglasses, with seniors who don’t have enough to eat and with people we may never meet.

Day 55: Give Toys to Goodwill

Continuing our giving adventure before the holidays, today the boys and I went through their toys to donate to Goodwill, or "to kids who don't have any toys", they call it. We were able to fill a 13 gallon bag to the brim with everything from superheros to stuffed animals, balls to cars, monster trucks to dinosaurs, they really got into it! Goodwill is a great place to donate because not only do they allow people to recycle their old goods into other people's new treasure, but they also employ people other companies may not consider. Here is a little more information on Goodwill:

Goodwill

For nearly 110 years, Goodwill^®has been an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” practice.

Goodwill diverts more than two billion pounds  of clothing and household goods every year from landfills by recovering the value in people’s unwanted material goods. In the process, we create job-training opportunities as well as entry-level and skilled green-collar jobs for people in need of work.

Join the Donate Movement

Your donated goods have the power to make a difference in people’s lives, strengthen communities and create a healthier environment. In 2010, Goodwill launched the Donate Movement, a corporate social responsibility platform and public awareness movement that focuses on the positive impact donating has on the people and planet.

Visit http://donate.goodwill.org to learn more about Donate Movement partners and to calculate the human impact of your Goodwill donations.

Employment:

Goodwill® inspires hope and self-confidence, helping people from all backgrounds and walks of life to feel successful, valuable and dignified.

We help people earn a living, improve their lives, and strengthen their families and their communities.

Our network of 165 independent, community-based Goodwills in the United States and Canada offers customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

In 2010, Goodwill helped more than 2.4 million people train for careers in industries such as banking, IT and health care, to name a few — and get the supporting services they needed to be successful, such as English language training, additional education, or access to transportation and child care.

Every day, someone gets a good job, with help from Goodwill.

More than 170,000 people obtained meaningful employment in 2010 through their participation in Goodwill programs. These people went on to earn over $2.7 billion in salaries and wages, and contributed to their communities as productive, tax-paying citizens. Goodwills meet the diverse needs of people, including youth, seniors, veterans, immigrants, and people with disabilities, criminal backgrounds and other specialized needs.

Day 40: Food Bank Donation at the Grocery

When we went grocery shopping at Smith's this morning, a Kroger store, they had a Christmas tree with Bringing Hope to the Table Donation tags as ornaments at the front of the store. Each tag  had a different donation amount on it so you can choose one to fit your budget. Then you just bring the tag to the register with the rest of your groceries, at check out time, and they scan it and that amount gets taken out and given to a local food bank to help feed the hungry. The Smith's by us donates it's donations to the Road Runner Food Bank. We didn't choose an expensive donation tag today but it was still nice to be able to help someone else who needs  food while we were lucky enough to be shopping for all the food we need and want.

Here is a little more about the Kroger Company and their Bringing Hope to the Table program:

For 1 in 6 people across our country, hunger is a reality. 

          • 37 million Americans don’t know where they will get their next meal.
          • 14 million of them are children.
          • 3 million of them are senior citizens.
          • 36% of these households have one or more working adults.
          • 48% of these households are in rural and suburban areas.

More families than ever are turning to local food banks and hunger agencies for help.

The Kroger Co. family of stores is donating $3 million in funds and $1 million in product to help feed those struggling with hunger through Bringing Hope to the Table ®, our annual cause-marketing partnership with Feeding America. Our customers and vendors are strong partners in this effort. Since its inception, the program has directed $20 million in funds and food to local food banks serving the communities across the country where we operate.

You Can Help Food banks are struggling to meet this unprecedented need - we can all help. Make a donation, write a letter, hold a food drive. Go toFeeding America to learn more about the face of hunger in our communities and find the local food bank helping to feed hungry children and families where you live. Leading the Fight to End Hunger in America For nearly 30 years, The Kroger Co. has helped lead the fight against hunger in the United States. Kroger is one of the founding members of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. In 2009, Kroger contributed 50 million pounds of food and other product to Feeding America food banks, to assist hungry families in the communities we serve. Valued at more than $75 million, those donations translate to roughly 60 million meals. Our ongoing commitment to bringing as much food as possible to hungry families led to the creation of a new Company-wide food rescue program, thePerishable Donations Partnership. The program allows fresh, wholesome food such as meat, produce and dairy products to be donated directly from our stores to local food banks that are able to safely handle perishable foods. In 2009 – the first full year of the project – more than 36 million pounds of perishable food was donated to local hunger relief efforts All of our regional divisions work closely with more than 200 local hunger relief agencies, including more than 80 local food banks in the Feeding America network. These food banks provide food and other personal items to pantries, soup kitchens and feeding programs for children, families and seniors. Our people give their time and talent to this important cause. Kroger executives and senior managers serve on the boards of local food banks and the Feeding America national organization. Associates volunteer to sort donations, stock shelves and pack care boxes

Day 39: Save Yogurt Lids for Breast Cancer Donation

Yoplait Yogurt is having a "Save Lids to Save Lives" donation right now. They are donating $.10 for every lid collected and turned in by Dec 31st, 2011. For my Good Human Act today we started our lid collection and I am happy to turn in anyone else's lids who is willing to collect them. I can come get them anytime before Dec 28th, that way I will have enough time to get them mailed in by the deadline. You can also enter a code on the lid and turn them in online if that is easier than collecting them. My kids love yogurt so this is a tasty act for us to do! Thanks Celeste for the wonderful idea!

Day 33: Donate a Turkey

With Thanksgiving so close I was wondering what I could do for a Good Human Act that would fit the Holiday. And lo and behold my sister in law, Kenz, just recently posted a message on her facebook about donating some turkeys which is BRILLIANT and the perfect idea!! I thought it would be an easy task to find a local place that was having a turkey drive, but surprisingly it took me quite a bit of searching to find a place that would accept perishable food donations. The Albuquerque Rescue Mission was thrilled to have it donated though, as they were having a Thanksgiving Banquet today as well as on actual Thanksgiving Day that will feed thousands of local homeless people and families. Plus, it helped that Smith's was having a great deal on turkeys so I was able to donate an almost 21 pound turkey for only $9!

A little more about The Albuquerque Rescue Mission:
 The Albuquerque Rescue Mission offers homeless and near-homeless men and women a variety of daily and restorative services and a network of programs and services to help needy people find housing, employment, and new life in Christ. The caring staff and volunteers not only help meet basic needs, but also help homeless people get off the streets and become stable, productive members of society.
The services offered at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission are available to anyone regardless of age, race, 
nationality,religious or sexual orientation. The services while broad are meant to meet the immediate real 
physical needs of the individual and open a door for restoration leading to a meaningful and productive life, 
active participation in a church body and restored relationships with family and community.  

Day 27: Big Brother Big Sister Curbside Donation

We got a flyer last week from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico saying that they will be in our neighborhood today and if you have any donations to leave them in a marked bag curbside and they will come and collect them. I have gotten flyers like this many times before and have never stopped to read it, I usually just toss it, along with the other junk mail, straight into the recycle bin. But because my brain is on Good Human Act mode I actually read the flyer, saved it, and decided it would be a great idea to help some deserving children. We almost forgot, to be honest, until this morning when I looked on my calendar and then we were all in a donation frenzy mode, it was actually pretty funny! We ended up with two bags of stuff to give ranging from toys to books, a few baby items, some women's clothes and even a few pair of shoes, a little random, but hopefully still helpful. It was a great way to start the day!

Our Curbside Donations.

Day 26: Candy for Our Troops

My husband's cousin, Casey, sent me the greatest idea just after Halloween. Send extra candy to the Troops! And who doesn't have extra candy after Halloween?! I looked it up immediately after getting her email and found an organization called Operation Gratitude  that sends care packages to the U.S. Military and they love to add some extra goodies in the care packages to the soldiers around the Holidays. I emailed some friends (thanks Jamie, Megan, Peggy and Leslie!) and was able to send 6.5 pounds of candy along with 10 kid drawn or heart felt thank you notes to them today for our Good Human Act. It is a great mission Operation Gratitude has undertaken and I am so happy to have learned about it and been able to participate. My kids loved making letters for the soldiers (all 3 of them made one) and giving their candy to people who help us so much. We are so thankful for the sacrifice soldiers and their families make to grant us all safety and peace of mind.

Here is a little more information on Operation Gratitude:

Their MISSION

Tens of thousands of American Service Members are deployed in hostile and remote regions of the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, and on ships throughout international waters. The physical conditions they must endure are difficult and they may be separated from loved ones for long periods of time.

Operation Gratitude seeks to lift morale and put smiles on faces by sending care packages addressed to individual Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed in harm’s way, to their children left behind, and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in Transition Units.   Operation Gratitude care packages contain food, hygiene products, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support.

Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns and Donations of funds for shipping expenses, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to express their respect and appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Military in an active, hands-on manner.

Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based corporation, funded entirely by private donations. For safety and security, the assembling of all packages occurs at the Army National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California.

Wounded Warrior Care Package Program:

Operation Gratitude works with representatives at Military hospitals and Wounded Warrior Transition Units to provide care packages for Wounded Warriors/Veterans to let them know they are never forgotten.

Recognizing that Warriors when first injured are most concerned with the well-being of their comrades still on the frontlines, we also offer a service to send care packages to the wounded’s buddies.  Not only does this let the downrange troops know their wounded comrade is thinking about them, but most importantly, it helps the wounded feel they are still contributing to the mission and supporting their comrades.

Battalion Buddy Program:

In cooperation with Family Readiness Officers and battalion leaders nationwide, Operation Gratitude provides special stuffed toys – known as Battalion Buddies – to the sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy.

Our special “Battalion Buddy” care packages contain a large, cuddly stuffed animal, along with other special snacks and items. The Battalion Buddy packages are given to each child at their parent’s pre-deployment or farewell event so the child has something to hug while their Mommy or Daddy is away.

The Battalion Buddy Program is designed to serve and encourage the young children of deploying troops and offer them some degree of comfort while their parent is far away, serving their country.

Who We Serve:

Operation Gratitude sends packages to Wounded Warriors and deployed members of all Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and to units from all states and territories. While we will send at least 100,000 care packages per year, we know the recipients share with their comrades, so we project that at least 250,000 service members will be directly touched by our program annually. In addition, the impact of our program on morale is felt generally throughout the Military (2.7 million people) and by the loved ones of those who serve (several million more).

Day 25: Treats for Firefighters

Today was my MOMS Club's Annual Bake-Off at 10 am. (YUM!) On the way to drive my son to school, I had a quick inspiration that we could donate some of the left over goodies to our local firefighters for our Good Human Act today. So, when I got home at 9:15 I rushed to make a second entry, my go-to recipe for chocolate chip cookies, (which surprisingly took first place) to be sure there would be enough desserts to donate. I also had my son help me make a quick "Thank you" card for everyone to sign. I wasn't sure if any of the ladies would be interested in this idea, but because it is such an amazing and generous group of ladies, they couldn't be happier to donate some treats and show their gratitude to some of our local servicemen and women. A friend helped me make the drop. We ended up going to the Fire Department with a  huge plate of cookies, 2 plates of sweet breads, a plate of cake and a bag full of homemade corn bread. When we got there the firetruck was just driving away to help more people and we thought we were going to have to come back another time, but after a little bit an ambulance and a firetruck came by and we were able to share our appreciation with them. To my surprise they asked us if we wanted to come and look around and we all got to check out the huge firetruck. They even let our boys climb in the truck and turn on the lights!! It was so nice and just emphasized how worthy our Firefighters are of a little show of thanks!

Firefighter Cal.

Thank You Card by Calon.

Daxon and Calon in the Truck!

Day 21: Cans for a Food Drive

Keston, my oldest son's school is having a Food Drive this week to help the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. This morning after he ate breakfast he grabbed a bag out and I helped him fill it up with stuff from our pantry for our Good Human Act.  He was so excited to help people who need food and was glad to carry the heavy bag all the way to class. His school sent out a flyer with a little information on the Roadrunner Food Bank and some hunger stats from New Mexico. I have included that information below.

Roadrunner Food Bank is New Mexico’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger in our state.  Last year they distributed 25.4 million pounds of food and helped nearly 40,000 hungry people each week.  New Mexico continues to be ranked as one of the hungriest states in the nation.

Hunger Statistics in New Mexico from Roadrunner Food Bank

(And the reality of what is happening in our own community)

How does NM Ranks in the nation of people who wonder when they will get their next meal?  5th

What percent of food pantries in NM turn away people due to lack of food.  51%

-Because of the economy food assistance programs in our state are experiencing a demand that

has not occurred since the Great Depression.  

-Roadrunner distributes more than 92,000 pounds of food every working day.

 How many semi trucks loads of food does that equal every day?   3

- In 1999, just under 5,000,000 lbs per year were distributed, 2009 over 20,000,000 lbs were

distributed.

What percent of those served by Roadrunner are homeless?   8%

-32% of the households served by Roadrunner have at least one employed adult.

What is  the average monthly income for households served by Roadrunner?   $900.

In New Mexico what percent of children under 18 live in poverty?   25%

-30% of children under 5 live in poverty.  

-Each year more than 90,000 children receive food assistance. Compared to 4 years ago that is

an additional 11,000 children are being helped through food assistance programs each year.

What percent of Roadrunner’s clients are children?  40%

-It is estimated that this year 29,025 seniors citizens will seek emergency food from

Roadrunner, compared to 11,000 just 8 years ago

What percent of NM senior’s citizens seek help with food at food pantries throughout NM?   30%

What overall percent of households with senior’s citizens report they do not have enough to 

eat?   50%

What percent of senior’s citizens report having to choose between paying for food or 

utilities?    46%

What percent of senior’s report choosing between food and medical care?   37%

Keston and hid Food Drive Donations.

Day 20: Bake for a Cause

 I can't believe it has already been 20 days! That has absolutely flown by! For today's Good Human Act, I baked, which is a little rough on me since I just started a 100 day training program to prep for a Spartan Race in February. But I did good and only ate 1 mini muffin so I could stay on track :) It is always nice to have someone to give some treats away to after you bake, so they are not all sitting around the house begging you to eat them. Anyway, a very nice lady I know  has a sick mother and her mom's place of work is having a Craft/Bake Sale starting tomorrow and going through the weekend. Her work is donating a percentage of all profits from the sale to her, they are having a raffle where 100% of the profits will go to her and anything her daughter brings to sell she also gets to keep all of the profits. So, I baked some Pumpkin Stuesel Muffins for her to sell and help her mom out. I used a recipe from my sister's Aunt in Law for pumpkin bread and changed it to muffins and added a struesel topping, turned out really good so I will share the recipe.

Pumpkin Steusel Muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin tins with paper liners. (I also made 12 mini muffins with the batter.)

Sift Together:

• 2 1/3 cups flour
• 11/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves

Add to that:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
• 2/3 cups vegetable oil
• 2/3 cups water

Put batter in prepared pan. Top with Streusel Topping. Recipe Follows.

Streusel Topping:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup uncooked oats
• 4 tablespoons melted butter

Mix ingredients with a fork until combined. Sprinkle a bit onto each uncooked muffin.

Cook for approximately 20-25 minutes until tooth pick comes out clean.  Let cool 5 minutes. Remove from pans.

Day 16: Donate (or walk) For a Cure

My sister in law, Kenz, and her girlfriend, Ashley, sent me a link on Facebook to support them while they Walk to End Alzheimer's, this weekend, in Arizona. I think they are amazing and I am so happy to be able to make a donation to back their efforts for today's Good Human Act. My husband's Grandpa suffers from Alzheimer so, this cause really hits home. It is just heartbreaking to see the effects this disease can have. A cure would be miraculous! Here is a link that explains more about Alzheimer's. It has facts and figures, stages, how you can help and so much more: Alzheimer's Association.

If you are interested in donating to this cause click here to be directed to their Team's Donation Page.

Good luck with your walk today ladies and thank you so much for making me aware of this great event and foundation!

Day 1: Charity Yard Sale

I am in a MOMS Club. In our club the focus, besides supporting each other and our kids, is to donate our time, efforts and money (we raise) to local charities to help other moms and children. I have been thinking about doing something, like this blog, for a couple of weeks now, but it was not until yesterday and today that I decided to actually do it. I donated about 8 hours to setting up and running a yard sale with our MOMS Club in the last 48 hours. All donations were made by our members and all proceeds go to charity and nothing gets you more in the mood to give back and be a good human better than giving back and being a good human. I sorted, I folded boxes, I lifted, I baked (for the bake sale), I haggled, I laughed, I cleaned up, I donated clothes, books, toys  kitchenware and baby stuff, I got a sun burn on my neck, I bonded with other moms and all of it, because it was for a cause bigger than me, made me feel like I was being a better human. So, with that motivation and helping high, I am off to continue the giving journey and try to make it a goal, for at least 100 days, to be A Good Human.

. 
MOMS Club