Forward Your Food

Typically, when anyone discusses food allergies, the rule of thumb is DO NOT SHARE YOUR FOODS. This year, I broke this rule. I even asked others to help me break this rule and they agreed. I have done this before and I hope to do this again. Sometimes, breaking the rules is better than following them. Here is why.

pay it forward food allergiesFor a third time, I am proud to share that I partnered with multiple companies for an amazing cause- the Pay It Forward movement. Are you uncertain of what this is all about? The Pay It Forward movement takes place every year on April 28th. Once every year, everyone is asked to do a random act of kindness. I first heard about this mission and participated in 2015 and then again last year in 2018. I strive to continue to help others and part of my purpose is to share allergy-friendly products that I know, trust and love. The fact that these same products are more than happy to work with me to achieve this makes my heart smile with gratitude.

Here it is July and Pay It Forward happened back in April. Normally, I post about things soon after they happen but this year, I wanted to wait just a little bit. So many others would be sharing and posting about their act of kindness, then May went into full bloom with food allergy awareness and giveaways. I wanted to give the Pay It Forward movement it's own special time that would have a chance of being noticed a little bit more. Not for the sake of getting any credit but in the hope that others might also join in and do what I have been doing for the years to follow.

Gratitude for Goods First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the companies that worked with me to make this year's mission complete. This year, I am proud to share that 10 anonymous families of a local Elementary School received a completely full bag of food. When I say full, I mean I was panicking, thinking that all of the foods may not fit! My other fear- can an Elementary school student carry this bag home without the bag ripping?

allergies food donations gluten free

Each bag contained the following product items:
In addition to ALL of this, Lowes Foods (Robinhood Road, Winston Salem NC location) also put together the bags with all of these items as well!
food bag donations lowes foods

- Chocolate chip cookies
- Trail mix
- Spaghetti
- Pasta sauce
- Cereal
- Grape jelly 
- Pancake & waffle mix

I absolutely love this project and hope to continue it each year for as long as I can. Although the selected families may not have food allergies, they also may have food allergies. I like to imagine that out of all of those families, at least one or two has someone who opened the bag and was grateful they were able to eat at least one food safely (if not more). I like to think that some of the families learned more about the products that are available and how food choices really are important.

Will You Participate Next Year? This is such a simple way to make someone smile for one day a year. I encourage all of you to visit the website for more details, share and plan how you can be a part of it in 2020. There are no rules- you can be as creative as you want to be. You can do one thing or several things. The point is to do it. Help others. Be part of the change. Some want to be remembered for having their name in lights but my only goal in life is for people to say "She helped others".

Hugs to My Helpers I want to send out an additional thank you to the companies that helped me to make this year the biggest and best year so far. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Lowes Foods, SunButter, Barney Butter, Crispy Green, Schar Gluten Free, Applegate, Safe Catch, Pathwater and Gluten Free & More Magazine.

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