I now realize "food is happiness" .

I have learned much in the past 10 days but one thing I have learned that strengthens my desire to carry forward with the Holiday outreaches is that “food is happiness”. That sounds a bit over exuberant of what is on our plate, but I tell you this because for the past 10 days my husband has struggled to swallow even water. To put food in front of him would be a tease and a cruel joke. I miss cooking for him, I miss challenging myself to put forth the effort to present a well-balanced healthy meal that will satisfy both stomach and mind knowing that you are fueling brain and body. Oh yeah and those cheat foods, desserts and handfuls of nuts and chocolate chips are missed as well.

Though we both miss the fun of asking “what do you want for dinner”, we know we will eat meals together again soon. We know that our situation is temporary and is for the greater picture of being on the other side of this chapter of the battle.

Some of us have to go through extremes to understand the joy of food, whether be health, diet, or finances. What breaks my heart more than us removing meals from our day to day is our youth who do not start their day with a breakfast, or come home to empty pantries for snacks or dinner. Though we live in a community that does not have many who struggle to this extreme, know that we do have those that struggle to that extreme and know that there are those who don’t have a clue what they will feed their family for the day, let alone what meal they will put forth on a special day as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What is the fun of these Holidays without food?

What would Thanksgiving be like if it wasn’t blessed with a cooked turkey on the table and potatoes and dessert???

Oh if you could hear the squeals of thanks and heartfelt gratitude expressed on Christmas night and after for all of those who have received a fully cooked Christmas meal delivered from friends to their door.

Let us not judge those we rally food for and let us just know that there is need here within our arm’s reach that will only be met with your kindness, compassion and unconditional desire to make one day better for one home here within your arm’s reach.

Leftovers will be the extra blessing to what you have offered, and the food that fills the bellies of our growing young friends.

Join Hope and Friendship Foundation in rallying donations of non-cooked food for Thanksgiving (Saturday 10am Nov 18th @ Lemont Public Works Garage) and cooked food for Christmas Day (Monday Dec 25th 11:30-1:30pm @ Old Quarry Middle School).

How can you help?

Are you available to be a sorter or driver/deliverer? We will need drivers to help with the Turkey deliveries for those who cannot pick-up; will deliver on Saturday Nov 18 between 11am-12, drivers will meet at the Lemont Public Works Garage (16680 New Ave- where 355 crosses over New Avenue) at 11am. Sorters will volunteer between 10:30-11am to divvy up donations, bring any food donations with you (see below).

What to offer if you’d like to: bags of potatoes (white or red); rolls/butter; side dish necessities boxes/cans to be made (stuffing, canned sweet potatoes, etc. w/ recipe would be great too); canned or fresh veggies; Apple Juice; and of course... Desserts (of all types, shapes and tastes)!!! Drop off any donations to the Public Works Garage between 10-10:30am on Saturday Nov 18th , or donations that can keep a day to “Blue the H&F Trailblazer” in the drive at 721 Hickory St on Friday Nov 17th .

Or Make a donation: To sponsor a meal for $15, or whatever you can offer will provide the fixings for a Thanksgiving Dinner for a home struggling here in our community.

Visit our PayPal at www.hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com

Christmas Day Dinner Donations of fully cooked food (side dishes, salads, veggies, desserts) can be dropped off between 11:30am-1:30pm on Christmas Day Sunday Dec 25th. Email for more details.

Dinner Assembly Volunteer Time 1:30-3pm

Delivery Volunteer Time 3-5pm

Join us on Christmas Day @ Old Quarry Middle School (next to Lemont Park District on 127th St) to spread some Christmas Love and Spirit.

Donations are accepted to help fund the Christmas Dinner outreach through our PayPal on our website www.hopeandfriendshipfoundaiton.com

Wishing you peace,

Terri

Terri O’Neill-Borders

Email- terri@hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com

Website- www.hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com

Wordpress- http://hopeandfriendshipfoundation.wordpress.com/

Hope and Friendship Foundation

721 Hickory St, Lemont, IL 60439

630-816-4972

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 31: 8-9