This morning was one of those mornings – my children, no matter how much they ate, still begged and asked for more.   And I was able to provide for them, albiet a little grudgingly and frustrated at their repeated requests of “What can I eat now?  I’m still hungry.”   My children are fortunate because my husband has a job, and we can buy food enough to indulge them when they have days of seemingly-unending hunger.

However, there are children that do not have this luxury.  And I’m not talking about across the world, or even across the country – I’m talking about children in our own backyards.  There are children who routinely go without eating – all weekend – because school is not providing their meals.

That’s why I’m so excited to partner with Post Cereal, Champions for Kids and CBais (again) to create a food drive in my local area.  I’ve found the perfect place to donate – The Kindness Project.   At Central High School, right in the middle of Phoenix, there are students who rely on the breakfast and lunch programs for their sustenance.  When school ended on Friday, so did their meals – until Monday morning.  Can you imagine your own children not eating all weekend?   The very thought is heartbreaking.

Someone just like you or me – Robin – found out that these children weren’t eating over the weekend and prayed about it.  The answer she received was that she should do something.  And she did – and continues to do so.

Even through the summer – Central High has a breakfast and lunch program Monday through Thursday, and Robin fills the gap from Friday – Monday with donated food.

YOU CAN HELP, TOO!

You can donate, if you’re around Tempe, at Apologia Church, which is located at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1035 E Guadalupe Rd, Tempe.  This is a church inside a church, so the hours you can drop off are:  Tuesday 6pm-9pm, Thursday 7pm-9pm and Sunday 3:30-7pm.

PHOENIX: CO+HOOTS: 825 N 7th St, Phoenix.  10am-6pm, M-F.

I am also seeking additional Central Phoenix businesses who would be willing to place a bin for collection in their businesses next week.  The collection drive will be from Monday-Friday.

WHAT TO DONATE:

Lighter items are best – kids need to carry everything home with them, so keep that in mind.  Canned goods will, of course, be accepted, but in this case, lighter is better.

Want to help but aren’t in the Phoenix area?  You can donate cash online!

Contact me at rachel@smallstepsonourjourney.com if you have questions, want to participate, or if you put a bin up in your office – I’ll come pick it up on Monday, June 11th! 

Robin, the founder of the Kindness Project, and I were on 3TV’s “Good Morning Arizona” today!