While restaurants and pubs are frequently visited as a celebratory outing, date night or even business meetings, it is important to remember that for some, eating a meal is the real celebration. This is where food banks and other non-profit organizations come in to play. I, for one, would like to take a moment and celebrate these organizations for all that they do.
National Organizations fighting hunger
No Kid Hungry is a charity specifically geared towards ending child hunger in America’s schools. In the United States alone, 1 in 7 children go without a proper meal on a daily basis. Many of these children come from families that “make too much” money to receive government SNAP assistance, yet too little to make ends meet. In these situations, children do not consume adequate portions or quality foods that they should. No Kid Hungry , therefore, provides healthy school breakfasts, summer meals, and after school meals across the country.
Feeding America is another charity looking to combat the hunger crisis in this country. This organization works with food banks and other organizations to not only feed the hungry but to actually address the cause of the hunger itself. They look at what they call “food rescue” which
addresses the wastefulness of people with food. This, of course, adds to the hunger problem in the country. The list of countrywide charities that serve the hungry includes:
Home base charities fighting hunger
I would also like to shine a light on my local charities and the work they do here in Western New York.
One charity, the Food Bank of Western New York does more than simply accept donations and provide for the hungry. They have also rallied the help of local restaurants to put together a charity event for the public. For a price of $85 per person, guests can enjoy an open bar and indulge in dishes made by local restaurants. These restaurants include:
Another nonprofit organization worth mentioning is Meals on Wheels for Western New York . This charity is focused on delivering healthy meals to senior citizens that (for one reason or another) are unable to leave their homes and shop for themselves. The meals are healthy and ready to eat which makes things easier for those unable to cook for themselves, as well.
Finally, The Ronald McDonald House charity is special in that the meals they provide are to families with sick children and temporarily reside in one of the Ronald McDonald Houses. The children are in need of treatments by medical professionals in the area and their families need to be with their children. So, the Ronald McDonald House organization created several homes in the area that are set up to temporarily house these families. In addition to meals, the charity provides private bedrooms, playrooms for the children, and peace of mind to the parents. Here, the families can focus on their child’s health rather than cooking or cleaning.
The World Food Program
This is a nonprofit organization that serves communities on a global scale. They send food and aid to those affected by natural disasters, displaced women and children, and other families in need, in more than 80 countries in the world. They accept money and food donations as well as volunteers. These donations could end up at any one of the 80 countries they serve in the world, but there are several countries that seem to be in need of a little more than others. These countries include:
- Yemen
- The Democratic Republic of Congo
- South Sudan
- Syria
Charity work is so important and impacts so many in need. If you can donate money, time, or non-perishable foods to any of the programs listed (or any that I may have missed) then please do so. Give yourself some good karma by giving back!
