SHELTON FOOD DRIVE

Since the kids are getting older, I decided it would be a good idea to start teaching them how to give back to the community. I have been trying to come up with ideas as to how to go about this for a while now and have really come up with nothing. That is until last week, when a friend from Mom's Club sent an email out to our club with a grand idea. An idea that would be hugely successful in teaching the kids how to give back to the community. An idea that would be fun and engaging for both them and myself - I was thrilled to say the least.

The idea? Have the kids do a food drive for Valley Outreach, our local food shelf.

Once I had the idea, I put myself to work and made my way over to Kowalski's to ask the manager if he would be ever so nice as to donate 75 of his bags, which he was. I then put together a flyer that could be attached to the bags in order to explain what the kids were asking our neighbors for, which I did.

Then we put on our walking shoes, got out there and delivered all of the bags to our lovely neighbors doorsteps. The kids had a wonderful time running up to each doorstep delivering their bags they help put together. At times someone would come to the door and they would proudly explain that they were having a food drive to help other kids and families. Surprisingly as we finished up, they did not seem to be tired out from all of the excitement and running around.

All this, in the hopes that come Sunday evening we would find a plethera of bags throughout the neighborhood full of food.

Sunday afternoon came, and that is exactly what we found.

Daddy took the car seats out of the car, and put down the back seats for us to fill the back with all of the donations. The kids hopped into the car excited as ever to be able to ride around the neighborhood without being strapped into their car seats, and off we went. I was amazed by the generosity of all of our wonderful neighbors - as pretty much every other house we passed had a bag waiting on the doorstep for us to collect.

The kids really enjoyed running up to each house in an attempt to drag the bags back to the car. Sometimes they were successful, but most often I had to run up there and grab the bags for them as they were so full! Another great testament to how generous our neighbors were.

I was sure that by the time we were finished collecting all the bags the kids would be exhausted and ready to rest for the evening, but I was wrong. We returned back to our house with a car packed full of food - once we parked the kids were out of the car and anxious to unload it all into the garage, and with help from both Mom and Dad, they were successful in doing so.

After all their hard work, I decided a special treat was in order. I told the kids that they could choose whatever they wanted to eat for dinner and I would let them have it.

What did they request? Happy Meals from McDonalds!

And that is what they got.


As we sat at the table eating our dinner, we talked about what a great thing they had done. Both Dad and I explained to them how wonderful it was for them to work so hard to help out other families. We explained how all of this food was going to go to other kids, Moms and Dads that do not have enough money to buy food, soap, diapers and other things. We explained how much these families will appreciate all this food that they collected for them. And we explained how it was a great way for us to show that we are thankful for what we have, and compassionate toward those who are less fortunate. The kids did not really say much in return, but I could tell from the smiles on their faces and the way the looked at eachother how very proud they were of themselves.

I know sometimes (well, a lot of times) I am feeling frustrated, like I just want to "pull my hair out." Always feeling like the kids are yelling at eachother, fighting, saying naughty things, and just plain old not getting along. Sometimes I feel as if I am failing somehow, not being a good enough parent, not discipling them the right way, and just not getting through to them.

But then there are times like tonight, where all that is forgotten, and I understand that I have to be doing something right. That I have 4 wonderful, giving, loving, compassionate kids who have the ability to help others out who are in need and have a great time doing it.

This makes me so very proud to be their Mom, what great kids I have.