Food Lifeline

Your dollars are supporting our food-insecure neighbors

If you are a patient of Return to Health, P.S., you know that, each year a portion of the practice income goes to a handful of charitable causes.  As alluded to in my latest post, today is the first of a short weekly series of blog posts to profile each organization supported by these annual donations.

Why Does This One Matter to Me?

Food Lifeline was the first organization I ever donated to through the business – as soon as I could afford it. It was my first choice, because of what an impression was made on me as a teenager when my own family was briefly also food-insecure.  It was stunning and confusing to be considered “middle class” and yet to find us relying on nearby food banks and churches to fill the gaps.  It left me with a better understanding of how easy it is to not know when “regular-looking” people around us might be struggling. 

Since those days, I always kept it in the back of my mind that one day I would want to reciprocate in some way, in an attempt to “pay it forward” from the support others gave us during that time.

I still carry a hint of relief and gratitude every time I come home with grocery bags full of healthy food for the week.  I never want to take for granted the ability to afford everything on my grocery list and it doesn’t feel that long ago that I was not able to do that, and instead found myself stretching the supplies in the cupboard and fridge for an extra week or two.

More About the Organization…

For more information about how Food Lifeline uses the money they receive, you can see their full 2018 Impact Statement by clicking here.  They not only act as a “food warehouse”, but they also work hard to partner with the community and local organizations to reach as many people as possible and make use of as much un-used food as possible.  Their work helps to decrease food waste and makes a point of serving kids – one third of the food-insecure population – as well as our retired seniors who are the quickest growing slice of people requiring this type of assistance.

Conversation Starter:

Q: What are some hardships you’ve experienced and how have they shaped your life?