Embracing the Spirit of Give Back November: Ways to Make a Difference

It's been a beautiful start to the month and with Halloween and October behind us, we've truly kicked off the holiday season. With the new month, we're thrilled to announce the rollout of our campaign to give back where it counts... right here in our community and for a cause that's so important to us.

This month, we'll be donating 1/3 of all flower sales to The Giving Field whose mission it is to feed the hungry. 100% of the food produced from their incredible garden goes to soup kitchens. Learn more about their work here and find them on Facebook for their latest happenings.

Food insecurity impacts more people than most realize and a large portion of that population is children. We all know the impacts of inadequate nutrition and giving to organizations like The Giving Field is one way we can help get quality, fresh, and nutrient-rich foods on the tables of the SE Texans who need it most.

Food-related issues are near and dear to my heart. I studied nutrition and food science while pursuing my undergrad and went on to serve in the United States Peace Corps. There, I worked with food security projects, teaching farmers in rural Zambia more sustainable fish farming and integrated agricultural methods. I also taught nutrition classes at the health clinic in my village.

I saw first hand what poor nutrition does to communities and how it impacts everyday life, especially those of children and expectant mothers. Facing this harsh reality daily has fueled my passion for food-related causes worldwide.

Carol poses with a brightly smiling young girl after a village fish harvest in Zambia. Fish harvests were exciting, event-packed days in villages, where fish were harvested for preserving, market, and pond restocking. Everyone pitches in to help and are festive, joy-filled events, with a good protein-rich meal promised at the end of the day.

After working in an underserved and impoverished area like rural Zambia, it seems shocking that a place like the US would have so much food insecurity. With rising costs and growing food deserts, it is an unfortunate and heart-breaking reality in more and more communities each year. Now with SNAP benefits being paused and reduced, it is becoming a extra hard time for many families in need.

Organizations that center on filling in the gaps for communities are having to step up more than ever before and The Giving Field, which provides a rare service of producing fresh food for underserved communities, is needed more than ever. If you're able, we're asking you to join us in helping out this month by giving to the wonderful teaching garden on the campus of St. Anne's Catholic School in Beaumont.

Here's what we're asking:

• Buy a bouquet from us and we'll donate 33% of the sale to The Giving Field.

• Volunteer your time and energy at The Giving Field garden. Help with weeding, watering, planting and more.

• Give food and funds to local charities helping to provide food to those in need. There are many organizations helping with pet food, too, another cause that needs help more than ever by providing pet food to families who will be struggling to not only feed their families, but their pets, too.

  
  

We love being a part of this effort of SE Texans helping SE Texans and hope you'll join us on our mission this month.

To give a monetary donation directly to The Giving Field, follow this link to their donation page.