Blogging Out Hunger in 2010

Thanksgiving is approaching in the U.S. It’s one of my favorite times of year, because I gather with family to enjoy a plentiful feast. I’m so excited to indulge in the fall’s harvest. This time of year is also bittersweet for me, because I think of all of the less fortunate people who can’t participate in this festive celebration, since they don’t have the means to purchase the food. Did you know that 1.6 million people in New Jersey qualify for food assistance of some kind, and over 500,000 are children? I find this unacceptable. No one should ever go hungry. Especially not children who need to be nourished to grow and concentrate in school.

I was honored when asked by Deborah Smith of the blog Jersey Bites to participate in the Second Annual Blogging Out Hunger campaign to help raise awareness and boost donations for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. This year is the FoodBank’s 20th anniversary of their “Check-Out Hunger” campaign going on through December. The campaign is an annual fundraiser, which is run at supermarket chains across the northeast. Please look for the tickets at the checkout counter at participating food markets, including A&P, Fairway, Food Basics, Foodtown, Genuardi’s, Kings, Pathmark, ShopRite, Super Fresh, Wawa, and Wegmans, or make a donation online. Check out Jersey Bites’ post Blogging Out Hunger Returns to keep track of other bloggers participating in this campaign.

So, the next time you’re in the market, take a look at your shopping cart, and think about how blessed you are to have a healthy variety of food (or some sinful snacks) to bring home. Then consider those down on their luck, especially during these economic times, who are so thankful for even a peanut butter sandwich. Please find it in your heart to make a donation, no matter how small, and help wipe out hunger in the state of New Jersey. Thank you!