Happy Thanksgiving!!

Well, I'm having Beef Tips for dinner. Why? Long story short: snowstorm.
Now I'm not going to see my parents until Saturday. Bummer.

Yet I have so very much to be thankful for this year. My daughters are doing well, each involved in their interesting and productive lives. My grandkids are awesome. My wife remains the love of my life. I have a warm house and a full belly. I'm even grateful for the challenges that make me roll my eyes and huff, because they give me the opportunity to overcome.

There are so many problems facing us in this country. Hungry babies, homeless vets, war and more war, poverty of wallet and spirit. Sometimes it all seems daunting. All we can really do is pick one or two problems and focus our energy there. For me, it is reprehensible that people go hungry in this land of plenty. It makes me crazy. I donate to hunger relief organizations, both cash and food. But it all seems so impersonal. From 2009-2012 I gave away soup from my home kitchen. I would just whip up a batch on the appointed day and post it on Craigslist. Last year and the year before I didn't do the soup. Need seemed to be tapering off. But this year.....this year I've had many people ask if I would be doing soup this year. Heartbreaking.

So it is with a heavy heart, and yet a cook's excitement, that I start gearing up for making soup. This year it will be on Saturdays. The fun part is that I can make whatever moves me.....respecting my budget of course. I give away soup without question. Nobody has to "prove" that they "need" it. They just have to bring a container. I've filled cups and quarts, doesn't matter to me.

I know that it would be more financially effective to donate money. I understand the dynamics of "economies of scale". But this is my personal fight against hunger in my little neighborhood. Nobody has to fill out a form, show they have need, be referred, or have a number. They just come for soup. I feed them. We talk, sometimes. Sometimes we don't. I never ask a name, but many I know. It's a small town.

This Thanksgiving please consider donating to a hunger relief organization in your neighborhood. When the holiday has passed, pick your one thing, one area where you want to make a difference and do it.
It doesn't take a bureaucracy.
Just a pot of soup.
Peace,
Pat