My favorite charity: Oregon Food Bank.. doing great things

I love the Oregon Food Bank.. well, I mean its one of my favorite charities. I like supporting the idea of feeding people in need. And, as a charity, they do a great job. We've starting collecting peanut butter at my kid's birthday parties instead of presents. Protein items are ALWAYS in need- peanut butter, tuna, beans... these are some of the most needed items. And CASH of course, to buy more of these items that don't get donated or brought in through area farms and other resources....

Today, I read in the paper, that they have started a guest chef coming in to teach people how to COOK! Basic COOKING Skills. I absolutely love this idea.. I truly believe that obsesity is by in large caused by the $1 menu at McDonalds.

Now before you start going off about people being lazy, let me give you a reality check... I worked in N. Portland schools for a number of years, and by the most part, in low income schools. I loved working with those students and had many humbling experiences getting to know the real life drama of these students and their families. Before you make a judgement about why people who we might consider "poor" eat at McDonalds for example, let me give you a snapshot-
"Susie" comes to school to eat breakfast and lunch there because there really is very little food at home, she lives with an assortment of extended family because her mom works several jobs, takes the bus to work etc. Susie has a handful of siblings, and really, her mom is tired most of hte time- from all the responsiblity. (This is a life WITHOUT DRUGS. Don't even think about how that screws up the balance of life for children...)AND the $1 menu at McDonalds is CHEAP and FAST. Plus it takes $$ to have staples on hand, and TIME to know how to cook using basic ingredients- versus heating something up or going through the drive thru.

Anyway, I'm stepping down now, but I'm thrilled the Oregon Food Bank is starting this.. and its VERY practical. I think as a nation, several generations ago, we forgot to figure out how to cook. I'm not saying that only women should cook by any means, but to hear many women say to me "I don't cook"- which does really mean they DON"T do ANY cooking is shocking. I'm not expecting Betty Crocker to pop out. But eating less processed food IS really good for us and we might drop a few pounds on the way. OK, I have to admit, I do have an occasional craving for a burger, fries and milkshake.. but I go to Burgerville and HIDE all the evidence from my husband.

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