Go on a Diet

Act #29 :  Feed your soul.

As the New Year begins, Americans are once again renewed with motivation and inspiration to lead healthier and more fit lifestyles.  Gyms are packed, weight-loss support groups are abundant, and it seems everybody is either training for a 5-K, counting their calories, limiting their carbs, or swearing off sugar.  Actually, that’s not quite true.  When I say “everyone”, I am of course excluding the 50.1 million Americans who struggle to put food on their tables everyday.  And yes, this number includes millions of children and senior citizens who live alone.  More than 1 in 5 children are at risk of hunger.  Make that 1 in 3 for African-American and Latino children.

Today I would like to introduce an innovative new diet program for everyday activists like you.  This plan is based on a monthly allowable point system and here’s how it works. Each month you are assigned 26 points (that was actually my weight watchers allowable daily points at one point in time, so it only seemed fitting).  Your goal is to reach 26 points in one month, through any combination of the below activities.

1 point:  Pick up an extra can or two of food every time you are at the grocery store.  Set the cans aside so that you can take them to your local food bank at the end of the month.  Each can is worth 1 point.  This is an easy way to meet your monthly allowable points.  26 cans = 26 points.  Presto, you’re done for the month.  To find a food bank near you, visit: http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx.  For some reason, my local food bank isn't listed (http://www.facebook.com/#!/BereaFoodBank?fref=ts), so please consult your local directory as well.

2 points:  Skip a meal.  Let your stomach growl.  See what it’s like first hand for millions of Americans. Maximum possible points that can be earned in a month:  2.  We don’t want anyone passing out.

5 points:  Skip your morning pit stop.  You know, fancy latte (or sausage biscuit, or bagel, or mega fountain soda) for a week.  Put the money you would have spent on those items in a jar and take it to your local food bank at the end of the week.  Each week of self-restraint is worth 5 points.  You can earn a total of 20 points in just one month.  You may even reap the added benefits of personal nutrition.

10 points:  Skip your weekly trip to the grocery store and cook from your existing pantry and refrigerator. Take the funds you would have spent on groceries and donate them to your local food bank.  Research shows that 40 percent of food is thrown out in the US every year - about $165 billion worth of food that could feed 25 million Americans.  If you think this is impossible, have fun with it and be creative.  You’d be surprised at what you can “whip up” with a can of tomatoes, a can of black beans, and some frozen spinach (vegetarian chili of course!)

20 points: Organize a food drive in your neighborhood or place of employment.  Need help figuring that one out?  Here you go:  createthegood.org/toolkit/organize-food-drive

Fine Print:  This program is guaranteed to nourish the bodies of others, and nourish the souls of the participant.  Last year 6.1million households accessed emergency food from a food pantry one or more times.  On-going maintenance of this plan is highly recommended for maximum results.  Offer good in all states.   Every county in America is impacted by hunger. For ongoing support and other creative ideas on how to reach your monthly points:

http://feedingamerica.org/
http://www.nokidhungry.org/
http://www.stophungernow.org/