Five years ago I had the opportunity to live in Romania for an entire summer. I volunteered in an orphanage for handicap children and also worked with a low income summer camp. This experience was unlike anything I can describe. Romania is an poverty stricken country. I saw hundreds of children living on the streets, families pitching make-shift tarp tents in the fields. I visited homes that were half the size of my bedroom and housed a family of seven. People did not have bathrooms or running water. Most people went hungry on a daily basis.

The conditions of the orphanage were not much better. The children were locked away in small rooms with little to no contact. Their diapers were never changed, their bellies never full, and their hearts heavy. The first day I visited the orphanage and saw the children living in these conditions, my heart broke in two. I sobbed just thinking about what I had seen. These children had no chance of a healthy, happy life. I called my mother and decided I couldn’t handle seeing their pain. I didn’t want to know what they were going through. My heart could not handle the weight. Unbearable as things seemed, my mother helped me see that love and service would give these children hope, something they may never have had. I decided that if I could be a ray of light in their life, even if just for a short time, I would be giving them something special. I prayed it would bring them some sort of comfort. That prayer gave me hope.

My experiences from that summer are too long to write about, but so near to my heart. Giving these children of myself was incredible. I began to see their eyes light up and have joy. Funny thing is, as much as these children needed me, I needed them more. Their sweet spirits touched my soul and took my heart places it had never been. My service to them changed my life forever.

It has now been five years since that summer in Romania but I long to go back. I long to help those sweet children I once called my own. I long to give them everything they will never have. I'm not sure these feelings will ever go away.

It’s easy to focus my thoughts and efforts on my children in Romania. I saw their needs, I witnessed their struggles and I heard their cries.

Lately I have been thinking about what I can do to help make a difference in the life of others around me. I want to do something to help people in need. I have been blessed so much and want to give back, but how? I haven't personally seen a comparative need here at home to that in Romania. I don't see children begging for the food on the streets. I've never watched a family make a home in the fields where I live. I don't know anyone who doesn't have a bathroom or running water. Does that mean that kind of poverty does not exist around us??

I really got to thinking about these things and decided to do some research to find out what's really going on around me. Could there be people in my community who are in similar situations as the people of Romania? Could I really help people so close to home?

Take a look at these statistics:

-On average 1 out of every 8 Americans are hungry

-In 2007, an estimated 12.4 million children lived in low food security and very low food security households

-13.3 million (approximately 18%) of children in the U.S. live in poverty

-In 2006, food insecurity in suburban areas was 9% (42 million households) and very low food security 3.2% (1.5 million households)

These statistics are just a few out of hundreds related to hunger, poverty and the problem “our” children are facing. It is happening right here. It is in our back yards. Families are suffering. Millions of children are going to bed hungry.

You and I are blessed. We have roofs over our heads, clothes to wear, food to eat and so much more. I know we are all trying each day to be better people. We work hard to stay positive, and try to do what is necessary to improve ourselves. I know with all my heart that the best way to do these things is to put other people first.  Service is the key.

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40).

I've created a plan to help us do it. Something you and I can do to make a difference, a big difference. I can't do this alone, but I know with your help and all of our determination, we will make BIG things happen. Take a look at my proposal. 

Project Feed Me
October 12, 2009-December 12, 2009

What is Project Feed Me?

Project Feed is a nine week program designed to help feed thousands of hungry Families.

The Goal

-Donate as many items of food as possible to the Local Food Banks 

-Rally as many people as possible to participate in Project Feed Me

-Give back and Feed the hungry

How do I participate?

Four Easy Steps:

1. Register and become a member of Project Feed Me
Registering for the project is important and will help Project Feed Me keep track of how many people are participating. We will also be able to keep track of how much food we are collecting and how many people we will be able to feed!!

2. Commit to buying two of the "recommended food items" per week for the entire nine week project
(These items will not be expensive! Some weeks the items will not even equal $1.00)

3. Commit to getting at least 3 other people to become members of Project Feed Me

4. At the end of nine weeks, look up your local food bank (US here) (Canada here)and donate your items
*The recommended food items are a list of items that have been predetermined by Food Banks across the country. The recommended food items will be posted at nono2yoyo.com every Monday Starting Monday October 12. It will be your responsibility to check back each week to find out what the weekly item is and ensure you are buying the foods that are recommended and  needed by the food banks.

How do I become a member?

-It's super easy, and free! Register HERE to become a member and participate.
Registering for the project is important and will help Project Feed Me keep track of how many people are participating. We will also be able to keep track of how much food we are collecting and how many people we will be able to feed!!

-After you register, you will receive email confirmation of your registration. Your confirmation email will also include the  HTML code for the Project Feed Me button (shown above). If you have blog or website and you want to help spread the word,  add this button to your page for others to see!

-Once you are confirmed  a member you will be added to the Project and can start feeding the hungry!

The table below is an illustration of what could be possible if each of us commit to rally three other people to join Project Feed Me.  The numbers are staggering.

1.2 million items of food, and that's if you and I buy only two cans of food a week for nine weeks and commit to rally three other people to do the same thing!!  Does that excite you? I hope so!! Because it makes me want to scream with excitement!! Are you ready to help make this happen? If so…

 REGISTER HERE
If you plan on participaiting in the Project please take 30 seconds to register yourself. Registering for the project is important and will help Project Feed Me keep track of how many people are participating. We will also be able to keep track of how much food we are collecting and how many people we will be able to feed!!
 

How do I register?
It's easy and free. Register HERE to become a member and participate.

Why do I need to register?
Registering for the project is important and will help Project Feed Me keep track of how many people are participating. We will also be able to keep track of how much food we are collecting and how many people we will be able to feed!!

Do I have to have a blog or site to participate?
NO! Anyone that would like to participate is encouraged to do so. You do not have to have a blog or website to join in and participate.

Why is the project nine weeks long?
Project Feed Me was designed to help feed hungry famlies over the holidays.  What better way to give back and share our blessings with those in need. The project will end two weeks before Christmas allowing members to deliver and donate their items before the holiday. Project Feed Me's proceeds with then help feed hungry families over the holidays.

How do I tell others about the Project?
You can tell your friends and family about Project Feed me by sending them the following link: Project Feed or www.nono2yoyo.com/project-feed-me

Is Project Feed Me a competition?
No. Project Feed Me is not a competition. Our goal is however to rally as many people as possible to participate.  If friendly competition will help you get the job done…so be it, but remember, the only prizes that will be given are your food donations to hungry children and families across the country. What better prize could their be?!!

Can I register and participate even if the Project has already started?
Absolutely!  Whether you start at week one or week eight, your participation is NEEDED!!

Why do I need to purchase the recommended food item, can't I just buy any type of food?
Food banks ask that if possible people buy the items on their recommended food list.  This helps the food banks acquire the foods people are in need of.

How do I know what the recommended food item is for each week of the program?
Every Monday Starting Monday October 12th, the recommended food item for that week will be posted at "nono2yoyo.com". Make sure to check back weekly so you can purchase the right items each week.

When do I take the food to the food bank?
You can take your food to your local food bank at the end of the nine week project.

When the project is over where do I deliver my food?
Click "US Food Bank Locator " or "Canada Food Bank Locator" to find a food bank in your area.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact  me at: nono2yoyo@gmail.com