Can you do a kindness without it being charity?

I love what I am doing at school. Determining a need and then figuring out how to satisfy it gives me a serious thrill. Add in the bonus of working with so many extraordinary people and you have the basis for a pretty happy situation. But now I am a bit perplexed.

Hunger is an issue for our population. It is a big enough issue that it is a big factor in determining if a snow day is to be called. Last week along with the rest of the Midwest an ice storm caused school to be cancelled for four days. Folks in the know in our building spent the time rationally concerned that many of our students, 75% on free or reduced lunch, would be going hungry over the time away from school. Highly possible since 75% of that free and reduced lunch population takes advantage of eating both breakfast and lunch at school.

So working with the Principal and others we have come up with an idea. Starting monthly and then hoping to advance to bimonthly and even more hopefully to weekly, we are going to be hosting Wednesday night dinners at school. Community sponsored and prepared meals open to our school families, welcoming anyone they want to bring, siblings, aunts, etc. In addition to dinner families who want to will be able to take home a bag of healthy low-cooking food. We are going to make an effort to not use high in fat and sugar and salt prepackaged convenience meals. Lack of cooking facilities in a community of highly transient, often hotel dwelling, folks means that meal preparation is limited.

So the question, what is the best way to do this? The first meal will focus on providing parents with information on helping their student handle math class. Information will be given on current classes and grade status, how to help with homework when you don't know the subject and how to prepare students for ECA (end of course assessment-a type of graduation exam). Good stuff. Hopefully. Should future meals be social gatherings more like a game night? Or maybe live music? Or more stuff like revolving subject matter? And how to handle the giving out the food bags?

Give that some thought then share your thoughts with me. This is new territory for me and I want to learn from those who have gone before. I want to be careful of the talent and treasure used to implement projects.

On a completely different thought line-as I type this my new Rumba robot is rolling around my floors handling my sweeping. I bought the machine as part of my accident anniversary gift. It is so cool. It gets into all sorts of spots I can not reach. It works hard while managing to make Buster a little crazy-can't beat that.

Are thoughts of Spring tickling at your brain? Maybe now is the time to expend some of your precious energy on projects that will make your home feel a bit shiny and fresh. Check out some of these:

A cheerful wreath from In Color Order

A fantastic lightweight t-shirt scarf from Just Something I made

How cute are these very quick to do matchbook covers from Dollar Store Crafts

So dust off the bookshelves, toss out the stuff that made you feel all nested in for Winter and give Spring a chance. After all the days are getting beautifully longer, sunshine will be showing up soon and you want to be ready.

Be well.