Food for All

The headline in today's paper was about the vital role food pantries are playing in keeping families fed during difficult economic times. I had just been thinking about ways we could up our contributions this year, not just by writing a check, but starting to educate our children about community service and giving. Our plan is to take the kid's grocery shopping, usually something most of us dread, and as a family put together a donation to drop off at our local pantry.

One really easy way to make your own dollars go further at the grocery store is to take advantage of the "Buy One Get One Free" promotions that I see in almost every grocery store I have been in this month. You may not always stock up this way for yourself, but maybe this winter (and not just around the holidays when more people do supply food pantries) get into the habit of getting that extra free box of pasta or tuna or beans or whatever it is that you buy. You can fill a grocery bag without any extra dollars spent. Also, search out items that you may not eat but are offering the extra freebie to stretch your donation dollars. And remember that many pantries also disperse diapers, shampoo, low-fat and low-sugar foods for elderly and diabetic clients, soap, paper products, and other non-food items that families need but are not always available at pantries or covered by food stamps.

Food plays a starring role for many families over the holidays, bringing everyone to the table to share a meal and spend time together. This year, help put food on someone else's table too; they'll be thankful you did.