THANKSGIVING 2014 NEWS
Donations From The Heart Thanksgiving Cornucopia
On November 21, 2014 Donations From The Heart (DFTH) held its second annual Thanksgiving Food drive. Approximately 500 bags of groceries were distributed to needy families within the Maryland and DC Metropolitan areas. Each family received a month’s supply of groceries and bottled water.
Our volunteers arrived in the early morning hours to stack, pack, load cars, and deliver the groceries along with love and prayers to the list of recipients.
In 2013, DFTH utilized several meeting locations to complete the monumental task of organizing, bagging, and loading, While this method worked, it was time consuming and somewhat difficult. This year, through the generous donation of the Seven Oaks Community Center located in Odenton, MD, we were able to gather together in one facility utilizing the assistance of every volunteer to help make this mission of serving and giving a success.
There has been an increase in the number of families/individuals in need this year. Many of the recipient families came through Anne Arundel County Social Services. This organization is generally in search of sponsors to assist with what is called the “Holiday Sharing Program.” We also received a list of recipients by word of mouth and from some church organizations.
Many people associate the lack of being able to purchase food with those who are homeless or with poor impoverished third world countries. Statistics reveal that right here in the US many people go daily without food due to: the lack of income, low income, mental illness, and substance abuse not including homelessness.
Since the economic recession, many are experiencing what is called “FOOD INSECURITY” within their households. Poverty, low assets, and unemployment are contributors to this fact. Many of those we are blessed to assist with food are working, but are faced with having to choose between buying food and paying utilities and other essentials such as medical bills, transportation and most important, keeping a roof over their heads.
We believe that no one should have to make a choice between food and other basic necessities. Those who once received assistance from the state supplemental “Food Stamp” program or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has decreased due to the signing of legislation by President Obama in early 2014 known as the “2014 Farm Bill.” An estimated 8.7 billion dollar cut in food stamps was included in this bill. While the bill incorporates several other agriculture components, food stamp reduction was a major piece of this legislation.
The cost of food is increasing. While our economy may be growing for some, this is not the case in many households where food and basic necessities are a struggle. There are many statistics and articles that depict the hunger crises faced by many in this country and others.
Whenever you go grocery shopping, prepare a meal for yourself and your family and sit down at your dinner table to enjoy, remember to thank God for giving you your daily bread, and pray for provision for those who are less fortunate than you.
Robin Salmon, Founder and CEO
See below other articles that contain some of the statistics that are mentioned above:
Our volunteers arrived in the early morning hours to stack, pack, load cars, and deliver the groceries along with love and prayers to the list of recipients.
In 2013, DFTH utilized several meeting locations to complete the monumental task of organizing, bagging, and loading, While this method worked, it was time consuming and somewhat difficult. This year, through the generous donation of the Seven Oaks Community Center located in Odenton, MD, we were able to gather together in one facility utilizing the assistance of every volunteer to help make this mission of serving and giving a success.
There has been an increase in the number of families/individuals in need this year. Many of the recipient families came through Anne Arundel County Social Services. This organization is generally in search of sponsors to assist with what is called the “Holiday Sharing Program.” We also received a list of recipients by word of mouth and from some church organizations.
Many people associate the lack of being able to purchase food with those who are homeless or with poor impoverished third world countries. Statistics reveal that right here in the US many people go daily without food due to: the lack of income, low income, mental illness, and substance abuse not including homelessness.
Since the economic recession, many are experiencing what is called “FOOD INSECURITY” within their households. Poverty, low assets, and unemployment are contributors to this fact. Many of those we are blessed to assist with food are working, but are faced with having to choose between buying food and paying utilities and other essentials such as medical bills, transportation and most important, keeping a roof over their heads.
We believe that no one should have to make a choice between food and other basic necessities. Those who once received assistance from the state supplemental “Food Stamp” program or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has decreased due to the signing of legislation by President Obama in early 2014 known as the “2014 Farm Bill.” An estimated 8.7 billion dollar cut in food stamps was included in this bill. While the bill incorporates several other agriculture components, food stamp reduction was a major piece of this legislation.
The cost of food is increasing. While our economy may be growing for some, this is not the case in many households where food and basic necessities are a struggle. There are many statistics and articles that depict the hunger crises faced by many in this country and others.
Whenever you go grocery shopping, prepare a meal for yourself and your family and sit down at your dinner table to enjoy, remember to thank God for giving you your daily bread, and pray for provision for those who are less fortunate than you.
Robin Salmon, Founder and CEO
See below other articles that contain some of the statistics that are mentioned above:
- http://www.justfactsdaily.com/how-many-americans-go-hungry
- http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/obama-signs-food-stamp-cut
- http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
- http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/news-and-updates/hunger-in-the-news/the-holidays-see-more.html
- http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security.aspx
Hear are the latest pictures of our Thanksgiving Food Drive Event. 16 Volunteers brought a lot of love, hard work and many smiles to share in this labor of love for others. We were all truly blessed and had an joyous time.