Helping our Children "Get It"

So when I woke up this morning I still didn't know what I was going to write about.  I made my coffee ... Coffeemate Coconut creamer(hard to find, I use hazelnut as a substitute), Nesquik chocolate syrup and a "blop" of cool whip (french vanilla when in season).... and for those of you counting calories .... its about 125 calories .... I have spent alot of time on figuring calories of different coffees over time.  Remember that word digress .... I just did it again ... smile..... coffee is not my topic of the day .... sorry....

Anyway ..... as I'm watching Goodmorning America they have this initiative going on about Meals for Hungry Families thing ..... they are trying to raise 10 million meals .... and they suggested if you have a dinner party .... or friends over for football games etc., ask everyone to bring one canned/boxed food item with them.  As I was watching .... the light bulb went off .... it's not brite but it's always lighting the way ..... I really try hard to get our kids to understand about helping others in some small way.  I'm not this huge get out and volunteer person.  I'm more like ... if you see someone needs something you help in whatever way you can.  We've been quite fortunate in our lives so it's hard for our children to see or believe that not everyone is as lucky ... intellectually they understand it but emotionally I don't know if they can really grasp what it would mean to have to worry about food or clothes or being able to ask for most anything and be able to have it.

So.... my idea is ..... why not have my children's friends bring over 1 thing each time they visit our house.  Seems tough you say? .... come on ... a can of vegetables is .50 or so ..... they will probably raid their parents cabinets anyway, but atleast they are being responsible enough to bring it and it makes them remember there are people out there that need help.  I would put boundries on this of course ... like a 4 item a week maximum ... or if they forget they could drop .50 in a jar.  You are thinking "...well what about your own children joie??"   I've got that figured out too.  If they wanted to go somewhere they would have to donate in the same manner. 

As I see it that would have to be atleast 100 items a month.  That could do alot of good when you look at it that way.  I'm going to figure it out completely and I'll keep you posted.  I'd love to hear any ideas that any of you have on the subject.  They have to be little things ..... you can build on little things but if it's too difficult or the goal is too high people (especially kids) give up ..... we'll see ....

That's what I've got for today ... it's a busy rest of the week .....

See you soon,
~joie