What to Give and Not Give to Food Banks

Do you donate to food banks? If so, what kind of things do you give? I have issues with some items our church food pantry requests: Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed potatoes. I don't buy these products and I'm doing people a service not buying it for them.
This "food" isn't food at all. It's full of fat and sodium and just convenience junk. If food is going to homeless people, I see why packaged is essential. They have no place to cook. But presumably the recipients of our food pantry do, ergo the Hamburger Helper request. I know non-perishables work best but there are better packaged food options.  Do You Give to Food Pantries? What Food do You Donate?

I Sat in Rosa Parks Bus Seat and It Was Profoundly Moving

I had a profound experience recently, one that I have few words to describe. I sat in Rosa Parks' bus seat. The one, on December 1, 1955, she refused to vacate when a white man wanted it. That act sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. It propelled the Woolworth Lunch Counter protests, freedom riders and other Civil Rights demonstrations. All because of one brave little rebel lady.  I Sat in Rosa Parks Bus Seat

Bargains, More Importantly Blessings at Fair Trade Christmas Sale

I helped with our fair trade/direct trade Christmas sale at church Saturday. We didn't have nearly the traffic we had last year, but weather was treacherous and cold. I'm hoping that's the reason. And not that people prefer junk stuff produced by slave labor in exploited countries. Sorry, I get ranty about fair trade. And I admit, it's not easy. That's why I felt so good about this sale.   Bargains and Blessings at Our Fair Trade Christmas Sale

Advent Calendar Service Project Craft

Many of us parents have found Christmas to be about receiving not giving with our children. It's not that kids are selfish, it's that marketing campaigns bombard them with products to want. Who can blame kids for wanting all that cool stuff? To say, 'you're selfish' to a child is to state an obvious, but not necessarily negative fact. Telling them not to desire is pointless.  It's part of how children learn to meet their own needs. We can give them opportunities to practice giving, sharing too though, especially at Advent. Here's an advent calendar craft with sharing opportunities.Advent Math, Writing Project Craft

Pack Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Now

I'm putting together my Operation Christmas Child shoebox for Samaritan's Purse. Since 1993, these gift boxes have been shipped around the world to kids in need. We've been participating for about that long. Here's how I'm saving $11 packing it in person. But packing a box online works great for homebound and elderly.Packing Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe box

I Don't Say Happy, but Blessed Veterans Day

(my poem for Veterans Day, 2013)

I feel wrong saying "Happy Veterans Day."
War isn't something to celebrate.
Killing and dying aren't festivities.
War just is.  Reflections of the Vietnam Wall, Blessed Veterans Day

Pet Owners, Animal Care Workers Beware of Jerky Treats

Jerky treats have been causing pets to get sick. Since 2007, 580 pet deaths have been linked to jerky-style pet treats. 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have gotten sick from eating the snacks. The US Food and Drug Administration has been testing to see what's causing the illnesses and deaths. They've run 1,200 tests and still no conclusions. Pet owners, if you love your kitty or doggie, don't give jerky snacks. Jerky Treats Sicken and Kill Pets FDA Looks at Why

Free Printable Thanksgiving Cut and Paste Activities

Want cut and paste Thanksgiving crafts for kids? Or free printable holiday crafts for classroom, homeschool, day care, scouts or church groups? Print turkey, pilgrims, harvest, pumpkins for Thanksgiving cut and paste crafts. Keep busy hands and minds active making decorations, coloring pages, place cards, Thanksgiving greeting cards and thank-you notes.

Here are websites that allow you to print free with the click of your mouse. Nothing to download, no registration or user ID. You can request to be put on free email mailing lists; keep up to date with all the wonderful crafts and cut and paste activities available. You might even have some activities to contribute.Free Printable Thanksgiving Cut and Paste Activities 

I Thought America Was a Melting Pot--What's this About Illegals?

I'm hearing this term "illegals" a lot from my fellow Americans. It's meant to reference those who have entered the US illegally. But I don't get it. How can you call a person "illegal?" Does their very existence violate some human code?

And in America, the "great melting pot" that makes no sense. But then Americans tend toward reactionary extremism. We think patriotism means waving a flag or saying the Pledge of Allegiance. We proclaim to support our troops yet stand by while they have to fight for benefits. We know less about US history than immigrants. Our national holidays are just beer drinking blasts. We're fellow Americans only as it suits our purpose. We're ethnocentric while bashing each other's background (see this post I wrote).  Who Are These Illegals You Speak of? I Thought America Was a Melting Pot

Teach Kids Social Skills, Encourage them To Form a Club

Sharing this great idea that my daughter came up with. She writes for Bubblews and this is her idea for a club she'd like to start. She explains "I want to start a club. My friend started one and its time I start my own. At school, one of my teacher has shown interest in starting a club with me. We had considered forming a Star Wars club because we are both massive Star Wars fans. However, there wouldn't be a lot to do in the club so I have created a new idea for a club. A conspiracy theorist club."

Okay first that's just a really cool idea. Second, joining clubs are a great way for kids to connect and get involved. Third, starting a club helps kids learn organization, social skills,  motivational and public speaking and self-advocacy. Fourth, a conspiracy theories club--educational, creative and fun! Does my heart proud to call her "daughter." Conspiracy Theorist Club