Meet Abby the Spoon Lady!

Celebrating My Birthday With Jesus

Hello, World!

Today, I went to Three Crosses Church in New Boston, where my Uncle Aubrey McRae leads the congregation in worship! It was kind've like a mini-family reunion. I got to see some cousins I haven't seen in a long time, as well as Aunts and Uncles, and my mom and Step-dad were there, too!

My Uncle Aubrey and I have always had a long-standing tradition because our birthday is on the same day of the year, October 30. We race to see who can call each other first to say "Happy Birthday!"

One year, my ex-husband woke me at 5 A.M. saying I had an important phone call. My Uncle Aubrey was on the phone and said, "HAHAHAHAHA! I BEAT YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" LOL

But, when he asked about birthdays today, he said mine didn't count until next week. LOL So, I'll have to wait til next week since it isn't until Wednesday, to have him sing Happy Birthday to me at church. LOL

After church, I decided to "step out in faith" and spend some of my money on celebrating my new job and my birthday, with Jesus. I would have taken the guys, but I couldn't afford both of them, and it wouldn't have been fair to only take one of them. So, I went to Randy Sam's Homeless Shelter and picked up Miss Wanda.

I actually went to school with her. So, I was blessed to be able to give her my testimony and enjoy The One Buffet with her.

I was a pig...and I talked a lot. LOL...I told her all of my testimony while we ate. I think Jesus would have wanted me to. I told her, "God gave me a story to tell, so I HAVE to!"

She has been at the shelter for about a month. The Shelter manager said she was one of her hardest workers, and if anyone deserved a blessing like that, SHE did! And I enjoyed every minute of it!

In the Bible, Jesus says that when you "do unto the least of these, my children, ye also do unto me!" So, I was honored to take "Jesus" to dinner with me today!

Have a blessed day!

(This is Wanda King. And this is what Jesus looks like today. I am out on a date with Jesus to celebrate my new job and my birthday!)

God's Garage

Former Texas Pastor Opens Free Auto Shop for Women Who Are 'Short on Money and Long on Car Troubles'
Source: People
September 28, 2019
Six years ago, PC “Pastor Chris” Williams was driving home from church on a rainy night in Montgomery, Texas, when he spotted a mother and child from his congregation walking along the side of busy Highway 105. Pulling over, he offered the pair a ride and asked why they were out on such a dismal evening.

“They told me that their car had been in the shop for months and they couldn’t afford to get it out,” Williams, 49, now living in Conroe, Texas, tells PEOPLE. “Right then, I decided that I needed to figure out a way to get my dream of opening a free garage off the ground.”

Read more...

ALSO: Check out "The Official Dirty Kid Couchsurfing Coalition" on Facebook by clicking HERE!

Alabama Man Finishes Mowing Lawns for Veterans in All 50 States

Source: wideopencountry.com

We've all got dreams and goals, but Rodney Smith Jr., the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service has an especially unique and inspiring one. The Huntsville, Alabama native set out to mow lawns for veterans in all 50 states and, after months of mowing lawns, he's done it. He's helped out an American hero in every single state, serving veterans ranging from World War II to Vietnam and present day with his lawnmower in every corner of the United States.

Even before Smith set out to mow lawns for veterans in every state, his business, Raising Men Lawn Care Service, was doing God's work. The business provides community service in the form of free lawn care for the elderly, disabled, single moms and veterans.

Read more...

Feeding Pets of the Homeless Week (August 11-17)

Feeding Pets of the Homeless is the only national animal organization focused completely on feeding and providing emergency veterinary care to pets of the homeless.

Unconditional Love – Loyalty – Companionship – Protection
The economy is healing but the homeless situation is not. Once a person lands in homelessness it is a daily struggle to get out. With a pet it becomes more difficult. Can you help?

Check out "Pets of the Homeless" website to find out how YOU can help!

Click HERE

No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed

by Judy Booth

I have no idea who you are but today I sat and watched you for about 15 minutes help a homeless man.

I watched you give him your sneakers which looked brand new and then you took off your socks and stood there barefoot while you took his socks off him which had a huge hole and then you wipes his foot with a baby wipe you had in your car. You put the socks and sneakers on him.

You helped him take off his shirt and you put a shirt on him that you had in your car and then gave him a pair of shorts you had along with bottles of water and money.

All the while people walked right past you staring. You had no idea anyone was watching, you weren’t videoing it like everyone else does and then posting it online for recognition. You did it out of the goodness of your heart .

I hope that somehow , someway this post finds you so you know that my daughter and I think you are one amazing, good hearted selfless person. You are what a man should be. No good deed goes unnoticed💛keep being you.

*please share *

The Pack Shack Reaches 30 Million Meals

Cave Springs, AR - July 8, 2019 - (Ponder America's Homeless) -- The Pack Shack, an Arkansas-based non-profit known for addressing food security through their signature crazy fun Feed the Funnel parties, has surpassed 30 million meals packed for people in need across the country since its inception in 2013.

Over the past several years, hundreds of companies, faith-based organizations, schools, universities, and families have hosted Feed the Funnel parties, including: Tyson Foods, Walmart, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Owens Corning, AT&T, KPMG, University of Arkansas, and The Ohio State University. Meals packed at Feed the Funnel parties typically stay in the communities in which they are packed to serve local needs. In some cases, meals have been shipped to serve people affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes Harvey and Maria.

"We encourage people to #beneighborly. It starts by knowing your neighbors, understanding the struggles and challenges they're facing, having compassion, and taking action. When we think and act as neighbors toward one another, we're building healthy, resilient communities," commented Bret Raymond, co-founder and CEO of The Pack Shack.

"Congratulations to the Pack Shack on reaching this significant milestone," said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "Because of your commitment to fighting food insecurity, millions of people have benefited. Students have had better focus at school. Many people have slept better at night. And countless more have been healthier because of the nutritious meals provided through your organization. Arkansas Blue Cross is pleased to work alongside you to rally communities and feed the hungry."

"Owens Corning has partnered with The Pack Shack for over a year to combat food insecurity," noted Ann Malak, Community Relations Lead at Owens Corning in Toledo, OH. "We have engaged nearly 850 employees and packed just about 400,000 nutritious meals for our neighbors in need. The Pack Shack's Feed the Funnel party has been a great addition to our on-site volunteer project offerings. Their team is amazing to work with and their turn key event makes giving back easy and fun. I highly recommend The Pack Shack to any organization who is searching for a fun, energetic team building event to engage their employees and make a difference in their communities."

"At Tyson Foods, addressing hunger is a priority. We work diligently to get food to those in need and provide support the people who work tirelessly to end hunger every day," remarked Pat Bourke, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. "Since 2014, Tyson Foods has engaged with The Pack Shack across the country to provide hundreds of thousands of meals for people in need. Beyond packing meals, Tyson Foods has provided product and packaging expertise to support The Pack Shack's mission."

Bret Raymond concluded, "To host a Feed the Funnel party, a group needs an indoor location, tables, participants, and $0.25 per meal. We bring everything else needed to pack the meals, from hairnets and gloves to ingredients, supplies and equipment, to a high energy playlist and, of course, a huge gong. Parties can be hosted any time of day, any day of the week."

Groups are invited to host a Feed the Funnel party to benefit their community by reserving a date at www.thepackshack.org.

About The Pack Shack

The Pack Shack is an Arkansas-based non-profit that works to supply provisions and opportunities for neighbors in need. Since 2013, more than 150,000 people in 40 states have packed over 30 million delicious healthy, meals for neighbors in need across the country. The Pack Shack started in northwest Arkansas in 2013 and has expanded to Columbus, OH and Orlando, FL and currently employs 11 full time people. Further expansion plans are underway.

Free Dental Care In Texarkana, Texas

No ID required. Unemployed, Needy, Low-Income, Homeless? Need dental?

Here's your chance!

Bus Passes for The Homeless

The Homeless need to be able to travel easily in order to find jobs and get to Dr's appointments. Because they are financially destitute, they cannot afford transportation costs. This is a fundraiser to help provide bus passes for the homeless.

All donations go toward buying bus passes for the Homeless in and around the Texarkana/Bowie County Area. The bus passes will be presented to Mission Texarkana for distribution.

For every Dollar you donate, you get a chance to win a $50 or $100 gift certificate from Avon through ISR Shonda Ponder.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ON FACEBOOK

or Go to The Ponder website and use the PayPal Donation button

The Least of These

This is a great documentary about Homelessness in America. Check it out!

"Most people don't realize that without a job, in a couple of weeks, you will find yourself in the same situation I'm in..."

Tucson hotel repurposed as shelter focused on giving dignity to homeless

Source: AZ Central

A former Tucson hotel has been transformed into a one-stop center for people experiencing homelessness.

The H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity opened June 3 in the location of what used to be a Radisson on 4550 S. Palo Verde Road. The center will offer 350 beds, 1,000 hot meals a day, workforce development, medical and dental services, a men's rehabilitation center and much more.

Read more...

The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center (Dallas)

Every T-shirt for help homeless you buy from this link will help The Ponder assist the needy and homeless in the Bowie County area.
Source: moderndallas.net
May 1, 2019
Completed in May 2008 and commonly known as “The Bridge,” the multi-purpose facility is dedicated to providing safe haven and social services for more than 6,000 homeless people in Dallas, empowering both the chronic and newly homeless to come off the streets and sustain permanent housing in order to live productively. Unlike traditional homeless assistance facilities that resemble dark warehouses and gymnasiums, The Bridge features translucent walls that allow natural light to flood into residential areas, glass art created by Gordon Huether was selected to design and fabricate a site-specific artwork for The Bridge. Huether created seven art glass windows that feature mouth-blown glass and etched, silk-screened text from writings bysome of the shelter’s clients. panels inscribed with poetry written by the homeless.

Read more...

Also Read:

Cowboys' Connor Williams Feeds Homeless in Dallas
Source: NBC DFW Channel 5
May 1, 2019
"Most of us are very fortunate, we don't even realize that we know where our next meal is coming from and most of these people don't," Williams said.

He's talking about the people at the Second Chance Cafe inside The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center. It's a place where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served 365 days a year thanks to the facility's partner agency -- The Stewpot.

Read more...

Homeless man cleans up his city

Randy Mayfield has been in and out of homelessness his entire life. To stay productive, he started picking up trash in his city. Then others came to join him, according to KVUE ABC News.

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

Other cities are also using homeless men and women to help clean up their cities.

Being productive is part of being mentally healthy, and the problem a lot of homeless people have is not feeling useful.

It therefore stands to reason that if you want to help a homeless person, give him a job. Hire one to clean your yard. Hire one to do some housework.

I have taken my extra bedrooms and rented them out to homeless people living on social security.

There is something anyone can do. Most homeless people don't want to beg, they simply HAVE to.

Help them feel productive, like they earn what they get if possible.

12-year-old’s charity helps the homeless in LA and Chicago

Meet Khloe. She's twelve years old. She started helping the homeless at the age of 8. She once raised over $65,000 for the Salvation Army over night.

If this child can do it, what more can we, as adults, do?

Shonda Ponder is selling Avon. 10% of all her sales goes toward helping the homeless in America. You can order online and have the order shipped directly to you.

Source: MSN News
May 28, 2019
Meet Khloe Thompson, the 12-year-old founder of Khloe Kares on a mission to serve those less fortunate in Los Angeles. It all started when she was just 8, and four years later, her passion for serving others has grown even stronger.

Read more...

Grave erected to dead homeless man outside Debenhams

This is a great idea and should go country-wide.

Too many of our homeless are treated as trash in their death as well as their lives. All lives matter, even the homeless. We should be reminded that we could have made a difference.

Source: Yahoo! Sports
May 27, 2019
A cardboard gravestone has been erected outside a shop doorway to honour a homeless man who died outside.

Adam Zajac, 41, was found unconscious under his sleeping bag in outside a Debenhams store in February last year.

The makeshift gravestone, which was placed in Bristol City Centre, reads: "R.I.P. Adam Zajac 1977-2018. He died in this doorway, as shoppers walked by. He was homeless. Remember him."

Concerned members of the public called emergency services but despite the best efforts by paramedics to revive Zajac, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Read more...

Hope Place backers detail fight for homeless shelter

Starting a homeless shelter is not an easy thing to do. No one likes the ugly face of homelessness. The stigma associated with it makes dealing with it in local communities an obstacle not easily surpassed. We praise God for those who are able to...


As the Florida Chamber Foundation Summit on Prosperity and Economic Opportunity continued Wednesday, backers of the Hope Place homeless shelter detailed their fight for bringing the project online.

READ MORE

This woman offers makeovers to homeless people on Skid Row

This is an inspirational story of a woman who uses what she knows to help the Homeless. I love stories like this. It represents someone who does their part to make life better right where they are.

This woman offers makeovers to homeless people on Skid Row
Source: Business Insider
May 1, 2019
I think that makeup and hair and showers builds self-esteem, and I think like anyone, when your self-esteem is high, you feel like you can do anything, and getting off the streets has to be one of the hardest things that they are going to face in their life or encounter in their life. So feeling good is the first step to healing. So I think makeup, hair, showers, just conversation, friendship, and food, anything that makes you feel good is the first step of healing. Get it Mama, get it. OK, come on.

Read more...

HUD Secretary Carson wants to roll back Obama mandate on gender identity at homeless shelters

by: Ponder America's Homeless

What happens when a woman who has escaped an abusive situation in which her oppressor was stalking her finds herself at a homeless shelter with no where else to go. She feels safe because she is in the women's quarters. The next morning, she wakes up to see her oppressor sitting on the cot beside her, staring at her.

He should not have been allowed in. There are rules about men being in women's quarters at the shelter. Yet, there he is.

How did he get there?

He, who would stop at nothing to torment her, claimed he was transgender.

Under an Obama-era rule, homeless shelters are supposed to make allowances for transgendered individuals.

Ben Carson, secretary of HUD, wants to end that, in order to curb the potential for abuse.

Read the new proposed rule

Sheetz For the Kidz Donates $601,000 to Help Feed Children Struggling with Hunger

by: Sheetz for Kids

Washington, D.C. - May 1, 2019 - (Ponder the Homeless) -- Sheetz For the Kidz,TM an employee-driven charity helping children in need, is proud to announce a donation of $601,000 to local Feeding America® member food banks to provide hunger relief to children struggling with hunger throughout the states in which Sheetz operates: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland.

In America, one in six children may not know where they will get their next meal. Millions of children throughout the country receive free or reduced-price lunches and breakfasts during the school year. During the summer months, most children lose access to these meals. Funds from Sheetz For the Kidz will be distributed to Feeding America member food banks within the Sheetz footprint, where they can make a difference for some of these children. The $601,000 donation will help provide 6 million meals* for children and is part of a new annual commitment to Feeding America.

"Sheetz and Sheetz For the Kidz have always been passionate about helping youth that live in the communities we serve," said Sheetz For the Kidz Executive Director Sarah Piper. "For more than 27 years, our employees have helped underprivileged children have a brighter holiday season through Sheetz For the Kidz. This new program takes the community support of our stores to the next level as we are very excited to start our partnership with Feeding America. Thanks to the fundraising efforts led by our employees and the generous support of our customers and business partners, we have the ability to broaden our connection with the communities we serve."

As a regional convenience store, Sheetz is committed to helping to fight childhood hunger in the communities it resides in. Through its program "Made-to-Share," Sheetz is rescuing food from their 588 stores and donating it to Feeding America member food banks located in their six-state footprint.

"The number of children who struggle with hunger concerns our company greatly and we cannot sit back while children in our communities have difficulty obtaining their next meal," said Sheetz President/COO Travis Sheetz. "Without adequate food and nutrition, children are unable to reach their full potential. We are deeply committed to helping children facing hunger and are proud that this donation from our corporate charity will go directly toward helping them fight, and win, this battle."

"Proper nutrition is critical to a child's health, growth and development. Yet, one in six children face hunger in America," said Nancy Curby, senior vice president, corporate partnerships at Feeding America. "Feeding America is thankful to Sheetz for the Kidz for its generous support and commitment to helping children who need it most during the summer months."

Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief organization. To learn more about Feeding America visit www.feedingamerica.org.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.

About Sheetz, Inc.
Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America's fastest-growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains with more than 19,000 employees. The company operates over 585 store locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of M•T•O® sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals. All Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Sheetz is committed to offering employees sustainable careers built on an inspiring culture and community engagement. For more information, visit www.sheetz.com or follow us on Twitter (@sheetz), Facebook (www.facebook.com/sheetz) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/sheetz).

About Sheetz For the Kidz
Sheetz For the Kidz is a non-profit organization, designated as a 501(c) (3) charity, independent of the Sheetz Corporation. The organization was created in 1992 by local store employees wanting to help local children. The mission of the charity is to provide support, hope, joy and happiness to children in need within the communities in which Sheetz operates. To date, the charity has impacted more than 119,500 children living in the communities Sheetz serves!

About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee, WI

From: The Hunger Task Force

Founded in 1974 by a group of parent advocates who were fighting for a school breakfast program in Milwaukee Public Schools. In the early 1980s, this group formed Milwaukee’s first food bank: Hunger Task Force.

Today, Hunger Task Force provides a safety net of emergency food to a network of local food pantries and meal programs. We are the only food bank in Milwaukee that does not charge for food, delivery or network membership. Staying true to our roots, we continue to advocate for social policies and strong nutrition programs that fight future hunger.

Check out our website to learn more!

NH Food Bank Kicks-Off 7th Annual Nothing Campaign April 12, generously supported by Citizens Bank

by: New Hampshire Food Bank

Washington, D.C. - April 14, 2019 - (Ponder America's Homeless) -- 1 in 9 NH residents, including approximately 11% of children, do not know where their next meal will come from. For many, it is a choice between medical care, paying their rent, utilities, heat or buying food. Unfortunately, the numbers continue to rise. In 2018 alone, the NH Food Bank distributed more than 14.1 million pounds of food to over 425 partner agencies throughout the state.

We live in one of the richest countries in the world, and have more than enough food to feed everyone. It’s just a matter of enough of us making the decision to help. While some think that nothing can be done to solve the issue of hunger, the NH Food Bank believes that we can all do something to ensure everyone in the state has enough food to eat.

Nothing is a stark reality for hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire residents every day, but today, Nothing is also a way to help end hunger in NH. The New Hampshire Food Bank, in partnership with Citizens Bank®, has come together with NH grocery partners in the fight against hunger and want to get individuals, businesses and organizations involved in the effort as well.

Do Something About Nothing

In partnership with Citizens Bank and with the support of NH Food Bank’s grocery partners, Granite Staters can help make a difference, starting April 6 and through May 31 purchase Nothing cans for $5 at participating Hannaford®, Harvest Market®, Market Basket®, Shaw’s®, Sully’s Superette® in Allenstown and Goffstown and Vista Foods® in Laconia. Each Nothing can purchased will provide approximately 10 meals, and cans filled with generous donations can help provide approximately 60 meals to your neighbor that faces hunger every day.

Get Involved

What: NH 7th Annual Nothing Campaign

When: April 12th through May 31
Where:New Hampshire Food Bank
Participating Stores Locations

MITCHELL, CARBAJAL, BACON INTRODUCE BILL TO HELP EDUCATE HOMELESS AND FOSTER YOUTH

by: Paul Mitchell (R MI, 10th)

Washington, D.C. - April 12, 2019 - (Ponder America's Homeless) -- Congressmen Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the Removing Barriers to Foster Youth Success in College Act, which revises certain federal TRIO policies and practices to remove barriers to participation for homeless youth, and students in foster care. Federal TRIO programs are outreach and student service programs designed to identify and aid individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We have a moral imperative to helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds. My bill ensures that students experiencing homelessness or in the foster care system have better access to federal TRIO programs designed to help high school students entering college,” said Mitchell. “The numbers clearly show that these students, who overwhelmingly want to obtain an education, are not receiving the support they need to achieve their goal. My bill will remove barriers to participation for disadvantaged students trying to access these TRIO programs, allowing them to fulfill their potential.”

“As a first-generation college student, I’ve experienced how daunting a college campus can feel when most of your peers have spent years in college-preparatory classes or advanced summer school courses,” said Carbajal. “TRIO programs are critical to providing children from underserved communities the tools they need to succeed while pursuing a higher education degree. I’m glad to join Congressman Mitchell to improve our outreach programs for homeless children and youth in foster care.”

“Every child deserves the same sense of promise and possibility as any other youth regardless of their circumstances. We owe it to our nation’s foster youth to give them the tools to succeed when they become adults. When I was growing up, I know that most young kids in my community needed help when they turned 18 – including me. That is why I am glad to support and co-lead this important legislation aimed at helping young men and women transition out of the foster care system and into careers and family lives of their own,” said Bacon.

Background:

TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs funded by grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education that are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and people with disabilities).

Talent Search is designed to identify qualified youths with college potential and encourage them to finish high school and go to college, publicize the availability of, and facilitate the application for, student financial assistance, and encourage persons who have not finished high school or college to do so.

Upward Bound is designed to generate the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond secondary school.

Specifically:

The bill adds application requirements to ‘Talent Search’ and ‘Upward Bound’ programs, requiring projects to—

•Review and revise policies and practices to remove barriers to the participation and retention of homeless and foster youth;
•Submit a description of the activities that will be undertaken to outreach to homeless and foster youth; and
•Submit a report of any strategies or program enhancements that were used that were effective in meeting the needs of homeless and foster youth.

This bill also requires relevant TRIO program recipients prepare and submit a report on the program’s enhancement effectiveness to the Secretary and subsequently, the Secretary must to prepare and present a report to Congress on the information found.

TO READ THE TEXT OF THE REMOVING BARRIERS TO FOSTER YOUTH SUCCESS IN COLLEGE ACT, CLICK HERE.

Governor and First Lady Bullock’s Youth Leadership Council Fight Childhood Hunger through Statewide Week of Events

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by: Montana Governor’s Office

Helena, MT - April 12, 2019 - (Ponder the Homeless) -- Governor Steve Bullock and First Lady Lisa Bullock have kicked off the 5th annual statewide Fight Childhood Hunger Week in Montana. From April 8-14, over 40 projects and events will take place in 16 communities across the state. Projects are organized and led by 19 middle and high school students who serve on the Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council.

“Nothing inspires me more than seeing students take the lead in fighting childhood hunger in their communities,” First Lady Bullock said today kicking off Fight Childhood Hunger Week. “Young people like Elaina and other members of the Youth Leadership Council are committing their time and energy to making a difference because they know firsthand when they have access to food, they can better focus on their most important job – learning.”

First Lady Bullock and Governor Bullock joined Youth Leadership Council member Elaina Patten at a luncheon at Montana’s State Capitol to kick off Fight Childhood Hunger Week. Attendees heard personal experiences with food insecurity in Montana, as well as information about childhood hunger in Montana and how to address it.

“Childhood hunger is a problem we can solve and it’s the work of these youth leaders that will help us in doing that,” said Governor Bullock. “Lisa and I are grateful for their efforts in shaping a world where every kid has the fuel they need to succeed.”

Projects are designed to increase awareness of the issue of childhood hunger, or to tackle childhood hunger in the state by starting new weekend backpack programs, school breakfast programs, or school food pantries, advocating to public and elected leaders about the importance of this issue, and coordinating volunteers to directly serve the community.

Fight Childhood Hunger Week projects include:

Billings: 24 Hour Walk-a-thon at Rimrock Mall

Bozeman: “Spring for Food” All Schools Food Drive

Charlo: Poverty Simulations for 6th-12th grade classes, Community Dinner and Community Movie Night

Glendive: 5K Color Run

Hardin: “Hunger, Let’s Talk About It” Awareness Event

Helena: Hunger Luncheon at the Capitol Rotunda and Hunger Dinner at Capitol High School

Trout Creek: Fun Run and Quilt Raffle

For a complete list of Fight Childhood Hunger Week projects, visit FightChildhoodHunger.com.

In addition to the projects hosted by the Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council, Montana No Kid Hungry is encouraging Montanans to participate in Wear Orange Wednesday on April 10th and share photos on social media using the #WearOrangeWednesday and tagging @mtnokidhungry.

2018-2019 Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council members:

Brielle Aklestad, Grade 11, Shelby High School, Galata

Deidra Beads Don’t Mix, Grade 12, Hardin High School, Crow Agency

Elaina Patten, Grade 10, Capital High School, Helena

Elaina Keast, Grade 8, St. Ignatius Middle School, St. Ignatius

Erika Hernandez, Grade 12, Hardin High School, Hardin

Gabrielle Higbee, Grade 8, Washington Middle School, Glendive

Hank Rugg, Grade 11, Frenchtown High School, Missoula

Hattie Neesvig, Grade 7, Thompson Falls Junior High, Trout Creek

Jon Hertz, Grade 11, Billings West High School, Billings

Kaitlyn Miller, Grade 8, Nashua K-12 Public School, Nashua

Katie Kaiser, Grade 12, Glasgow High School, Glasgow

Kaylee Yeager, Grade 11, Custer County District High School, Miles City

Kelsyn Lohr, Grade 11, Shelby High School, Shelby

Leif Clark, Grade 12, Butte High School, Butte

Nina Friedman, Grade 11, Glacier High School, Whitefish

Riley Gilsdorf, Grade 10, Billings Senior High School, Billings

Ruby West, Grade 8, Sacajawea Middle School, Bozeman

Sidney DeLong, Grade 9, Hamilton High School, Hamilton

Taylor Olsen, Grade 12, Charlo Schools, Charlo

Full biographies and more information on the Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council can be found at FightChildhoodHunger.com.

The First Interstate Bank Foundation is the presenting sponsor of the Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council.

The Governor’s Office of Community Service expands and promotes National Service and volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service and emergency preparedness.

Could ‘pallet shelters’ help solve Seattle’s homeless crisis?

Seattle Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda wants the city to consider a new option in the fight against homelessness. On Thursday, she hosted a demonstration of a “pallet shelter” outside Seattle City Hall.

The shelters are manufactured by Pallet in Everett and can be assembled without tools in 20-30 minutes. The structures can be outfitted with electricity, heat, air conditioning, and a locking door.


“We are past three years of a declared state of emergency in this city,” Mosqueda said. “We have 4,500 people who are living outside without any shelter in our region, and we have not built the housing or the shelter to the capacity we need.”

Read more about this at K5 News by clicking HERE

Beanies for the Homeless

We are collecting donations in order to give head gear to the homeless.  These beanies are warm in cold weather and designed to provide comfort. Will you help us? One donation of $5.00 will provide Two Caps.

Covenant House

Millions of kids suffer on the streets every day. For over 40 years, Covenant House has sheltered and cared for these young people – now standing as a powerful human rights movement for homeless and trafficked youth in 31 cities across 6 countries.

Learn more about Covenant House by clicking HERE

Back on My Feet

Back on My Feet is a national organization operating in 12 major cities across the US, combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources.

Check out the website by clicking HERE

WELOME

I am looking forward to bringing you information that can help you as you struggle financially so the experience isn't as hard as it seems. Just because you are homeless, or struggling, out of work, disabled or any other number of problems that seem to keep you down, it does not mean you stop living. And you can live abundantly with what little you have!

This blog gives you resources to find what you need to live another day!

There is hope. It's all around you. With God, and good people who act as His hands and feet, ANYTHING is possible!

I pray this blog helps bring hope to those in need, and helps others realize ways that they can help.