Faith In Action Needs Your Help

I had a witty blog planned out when I received an email from a friend about something more important than what I had in mind. So I hope to reach out to friends and neighbors and ask that you take a few items from your pantry or cupboards, or add some extra items to your shopping list, to help Faith In Action. This local organization helps people in the Chelsea and Dexter areas who are struggling to make ends meet this fall and winter.

Faith in Action has EMPTY PANTRIES
The following is a partial list of the staples they are completely out of:
Canned or frozen meat
Canned fruit and vegetables
Spaghetti Sauce
Juice
Chili Beans
Pancake mix and syrup
Peanut butter and jelly
Pasta
Macaroni and cheese
Healthy snack foods

Non-food items:
Laundry and dish soap
Shampoo, shaving items and deodorant

I happen to know that thanks to the generosity of the kids and families at North Creek Elementary school, Faith In Action will be getting a carload of groceries next week. But a carload of groceries only lasts a week or two at my house, so I'm sure that they will need much, much more from the community to help make ends meet for the families who use their services.

A Challenge
Last year, I was a bit behind on my to do list and missed the drop-off date for the school canned goods collection. In a pinch, I took my kids and a friend to the grocery store, gave them each $10, and let them choose boxed and canned goods to bring directly to Faith In Action. It was a spur of the moment activity, but turned out to be beneficial in so many ways.

For the most part, I let them choose all the items on their own. I helped them with the math, and suggested we opt for foods that could make a meal like pasta, tuna, peanut butter, baking mix, etc. We tried to keep in mind if you don't have much food, the food you DO eat should be healthy. But being 6 years old, some of their choices included gummy bears, and Pringles chips (on sale). At the sight of my raised eyebrow, they explained to me that some of the families might have little kids like them, and those kids might really like these treats. Of course, they were absolutely right. The lessons in menu-planning, budgeting and math, not to mention charity and thoughtfulness have had lasting effects on all of us.

How to Help
Faith In Action accepts donations Monday - Friday from 9 til 4. And on Wednesdays until 7 p.m. Visit their website at www.faithinaction1.org for more information.

Faith In Action
603 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Tel: (734) 475-3305

P.S. Not In Chelsea?
If you're reading my blog and are not anywhere near Chelsea, Michigan, I challenge you to find your own local assistance organization and take them a nice donation of food and necessities.