Thanksgiving only comes once a year but Mama thinks it should be celebrated monthly so we can learn to appreciate what we DO have rather than what we DON’T have. All too quickly we rush from giving thanks to the frenzied buying of gifts and often forget the TRUE meaning of the holiday season and helping thy neighbor in their time of need. It is human nature (or rather it is these days…) to help in exchange for something in return. Mama thinks the “warm, fuzzy” feeling you get inside after doing a good deed is enough but if it isn’t enough, check out what my friends at Golden Share Foods have in return for two hours of your time doing a good deed.
Golden Share Foods is Southern California’s largest local food cooperative, which pools together resources to buy food in bulk and offer to the public at a reduced rate. S.H.A.R.E. stands for Self-Help and Resource Exchange, and is based on the principals of people helping people and building community through volunteer work. In simple terms, for two hours of your time volunteering in your community, you can save 50 percent off your monthly grocery bill!!! Who wouldn’t want that?!
Co-ops are not food banks — you get first-quality food from the same suppliers as many of the large grocery chains. It’s so easy to participate! First, go online to GoldenShareFoods.com and select your package from the menus available. Then volunteer two hours in your community by helping a neighbor, cleaning up a park or beach, etc. Now that you have volunteered and done your monthly good deed, pick-up your groceries at the selected host site on the designated pick-up day. There are 60 host sites through-out Southern California so there is no excuse not to join.
The menus vary per month but the categories remain the same which include a Basic Package (includes meats, veggies, and starches); Veggie Package (fresh fruits and vegetables); Breakfast Package (eggs, breakfast meats, and cereals); Lunch Package (lunch meats, cheese, fruits and vegetables); Steak/Seafood Package; and Seasonal Holiday Dinner packages. Each package is less than $30 (except the Holiday Package which runs for $36). Check out the sample menus HERE and start planning how you can volunteer and participate in the SHARE program. OR better yet, adopt a family and buy the Holiday Dinner Meal Box for them — after all Tis the Season for Giving!
HOLIDAY MEAL GIVEAWAY
One lucky Everyday Mama reader will win the Holiday Dinner Meal Box (includes a 7-9 lb. Ham, a whole Pumpkin Pie, and tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to make your holiday dinner!) from Golden Share Foods (open to Southern California readers only — sorry!). To enter: Post a comment telling Mama how you plan to help your community this holiday season. For bonus entries you can follow Mama on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway using @EverydayMama, @GldnSHAREFoods, and #HolidayMeal or become an Everyday Mama Facebook fan.
The giveaway is open to Southern California residents only and must be within distance of a Golden Share Foods host site to pick-up their meal box December 19, 2009. Giveaway ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. Winner will be chosen at random by Random.org. Good luck and thanks for reading!!
My philosophy is simple: just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to forgo style or your life. You can do it all with a little help from Mama. Mama makes life easier by doing all the shopping, crafting and ranting for you because really...what Mama has the time for that?! Mama will not lie, I can bake but if you're looking for cooking tips you might be better off going someplace else!
I live right near the Escondido pick up site! And I was the sole provider for our family, until my company closed down nearly 11 months ago. I have still been unable to find employment and times are hard around here, so this would really make my holiday! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!vixen@vixensden.com