Grateful Monday + Giveaway!

One thing I've wanted to do since I was a teenager was feed those people less fortunate than myself. I never really had the initiative to find a way to do this. 

I am very fortunate. My family never needed to go to a food bank or be on welfare. My parents did attempt to apply for food stamps (SNAP) when they arrived in the US, but because their car was over the value that had been set they were denied. The only aid my parents ever needed was WIC. 

We are VERY fortunate. My dad was able to find a good job with health insurance that we were able to live off of. He never made a lot of money, but we were always comfortable in middle class. 

I've always felt fortunate and grateful and it has made me want to help others. Many times it is by giving someone whom I see on the street a meal or trying to do a pay it forward type thing. 

On Saturday when I was dropping my nephew off at his house my brother told me that my niece was going to be going with her mom to help feed the homeless that afternoon at a nearby church. 

It was meant to be. 

After doing some errands I took my niece and went to the church. 

It was an INCREDIBLE experience. I helped with checking in the people who were coming in. Each person got to get two hot meal items. They had some pasta as well as packaged (organic!) sandwiches. Then they got to write down some things they wanted off a list of available products (on this day it was diapers, adult diapers, lotion, milk, eggs and some other items) which they picked up after their hot food. 

We were there for about 2 hours. They do this daily! I won't be able to go daily but I do plan on going at least every other week. 

The organization is called FISH:

Have you ever worked in a food pantry or with any organization that helps the less fortunate? How did it go? 

I'm also participating in a giveaway this week! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway