Share Your Foods

Telling people to share their foods is off-limits when it comes to food allergies. 

But there is always an exception to the rule. 

This year, I partnered with Lowes Foods and a bunch of amazing allergy-friendly product brands to take part in the Pay It Forward movement. Although I also did this back in 2015, I was truly excited about the bag of items that local families got from all of us. Not only did Lowes Foods jump at the chance to help out, I had super samples from Banza, Crispy Green, Enjoy Life Foods, free2b Foods, Love Grown, Made Good Foods, OWYN, Simply 7 Snacks and SunButter. These bags were literally filled to the brim with love and goodness!

What is Pay It Forward Day? Simply put, "Pay It Forward Day is a global initiative that exists to make a difference by creating a huge ripple of kindness felt across the world." as seen at PayItForwardDay.com. With the help of Lisha Vannoy, Guidance Counselor at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, ten anonymous families got these surprise bags with the following items:

Lowes Foods (Robinhood Road location) donated:

• A large can of tuna
• A Box of spaghetti
• A jar of pasta sauce
• A bag of dry beans
• Applesauce
• A box of cereal
• A box of chocolate chip cookies

That, in itself, is an incredible bag of items that would definitely feed a family well. But the way I see it, if we are going to help, go big or go home! It seems that all of the companies that donated the rest of the food items felt the same way. In addition to the food from Lowes Foods, these families also got each of these in their bag:

• 2 Boxes of Made Good Foods granola bars
• 1 Bag of Simply 7 Snacks Quinoa Curls + coupon
• 2 OWYN Dark Chocolate protein shakes
• 1 Box of Love Grown chocolate cereal
• 1 Box of Enjoy Life Foods Cocoa Loco Bars 
• 1 Box of Banza pasta
• 1 SunButter On the Go canister + coupons
• A Handful of free2b Foods Sun Cups
• 2 (0.36 oz) bags of Crispy Green

Each bag also had a letter attached, describing the Pay It Forward movement and who donated items to each of their families. This may seem like a small drop in the pond for those who need help but just as the Pay It Forward Day site explains, it is a ripple effect. Giving back is never just a small thing, especially to those who got all of these extras when they may have needed it most and not expected to have it. I am hoping to be a part of this movement again - will you?