So, I spoke to people getting food at a food bank and here are some things I learned from those in need:
1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. They rarely get fresh meat.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a real commodity.
17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
In all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. I am glad I did. If you are helping a Family this Christmas, maybe this can help you tailor it more. It does for me!
My friends and I run a free football session on Saturday during term time
If you know a young person aged 11-16, come down with them to Ashburton Park, Croydon from 10:30am - 12pm tomorrow morning
Feel free to share 🫶🏾
Mama: "doh worry bout dem & dey foolishness, dey won't stop we carnival."
A couple years off 90 but with more energy than me; I struggled to stop her joining the crowds.
#NottingHillCarnival2023 is a beautiful celebration of multicultural Britain, inspired by the Windrush Gen.
What a night for Jamaica!
#WorldAthleticsChamps
🥇🇯🇲Danielle Williams - 100mH
🥇🇯🇲Antonio Watson - 400m
🥈🇯🇲Wayne Pinnock - long jump
🥉🇯🇲Tajay Gayle - long jump
🥉🇯🇲Rushell Clayton - 400mH
The power of observation.
When I was growing up, my father would never stop talking about how important it is to notice what is going on around you and take charge.
He told us a story his lecturer told him when he was an undergraduate. I hope it is fiction btw
#parenting101
Having children with the right man who wants to have his children and be present in their lives, and show them healthy parenting with you is so much more important than having them by a certain age.
There was a day I was making dinner for the whole family and I just broke into tears because the rice was too big for me to turn into the jollof sauce (the entire sauce settled at the bottom) and someone shouted from the parlour "He has cooked nonsense again!".