I participated in this program on behalf of Champions for Kids and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Fiesta To Feed Families
Did you know that for millions of children, the end of the school year means no more access to school breakfasts, lunches or after-school snacks? This month, there are bloggers from all across the U.S. joining together in helping these children by throwing a Fiesta to Feed Families (#Fiesta4Kids), in which they collect food items to benefit kids and families in their local communities! I got to participate in this last week, and it was awesome!
I got together with almost a dozen other local blogger friends, and we had a girls’ night in. The food? Tacos! I provided tacos and all the fixins for the group. I simply browned two 20 oz packages of Jennie-O Turkey, and then simmered it with 3 taco seasoning packets. Then I created a topping bar and crispy and soft taco shell options. Everyone loved it!
All that I asked was that each guest brought canned goods to donate to a local food pantry. I was surprised with the amount of donations that were raised just between our small group of friends!
The local food pantry that I was collecting donations for specifically talked about collecting snacks and easy to eat foods for kids that would normally depend on the school lunch program. They also mentioned wanting paper towel donations and even things for babies. As you can see from the photo above, we were able to provide for the needs of local families. Not only that, but I got to have a fun taco night with a bunch of my favorite friends!
My kids helped me to gather even more donations from our own pantry. They were more than ready to help me out when it came time to drop off our donations! They eagerly carried in the canned goods, bagged beans, paper towels, pasta, and more. I was so proud of them, because they got a first hand lesson in helping others with very little effort on my part.
The women at the food pantry were incredible. They talked with my kids in detail about where their donations would go and how they were helping kids just like them. They were so impressed with my children that they even rewarded them with a special prize – that box of frozen pops you see on the bottom right in the picture above.
While we don’t always get a physical reward for doing a good deed, I thought it was a nice touch that they did show kindness right back to my children. You can certainly bet that they will remember the time they took food to help feed other kids and ended up getting frozen pops out of the deal!
This great project and partnership between Champions for Kids and Jennie-O Turkey has inspired many to explore more ways to get involved with community projects, and you can get in on the fun and information at the upcoming Twitter party! (More information on that below.)
Champions for Kids
Champions for Kids is an organization that makes it simple to give children in local communities the resources they need to thrive.
They really help prove that helping others does not have to come in large doses. Champions for Kids seeks to ignite generational change by fostering a ‘habit of giving’ among youth and parents in America. My family loved getting involved in helping others in our community, and I hope to continue this spirit of giving in them.
The core values of Champions for Kids are simple, yet profound, and drive their efforts to “mobilize millions” to help children. They believe all children should have someone who cares, a place to belong, hope for tomorrow and provisions for their journey. ALL children.
SIMPLE Service Projects
As I mentioned earlier, when school lets out for the summer, millions of children lose access to the school breakfasts, lunches and after-school snacks they receive during the regular school year. You can help ensure kids have nutritious meals by hosting a Fiesta to Feed Families event!
From June 1 to June 30, Champions for Kids is partnering with Jennie-O Turkey to encourage community projects across the country benefiting children in need of a nutritious meals this summer. Called SIMPLE Service Projects, the idea is to host or organize an event to collect non-perishable foods that you would then donate to a local organization that serves children in need, such as a food pantry, shelter or daycare center.
Every SIMPLE Service Project has 4 basic steps:
1) Gather your friends, family, and co-workers.
2) Learn about the needs of children in your community.
3) Give items to help kids enjoy happier & healthier lives.
4) Share your story with Champions for Kids to inspire others!
A family-friendly taco party is a great way to get creative, mix up the dinner routine, and satisfy a crowd—even one that includes picky eaters! Why not also use this fun summer gathering as a way to help kids thrive?
The Motherhood is honored to join Champions for Kids along with Jennie-O to share just how simple it is to help local families in need. Champions for Kids SIMPLE Service Projects are an easy way to get involved in helping your community!
Twitter Party! Win Prizes #Fiesta4Kids
Join this Twitter party to learn more about SIMPLE Service projects, as well as to learn about kid-friendly recipe ideas that are both yummy and nutritious!
When: Thursday, June 24, at 1p ET / 12p CT / 10a PT
Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #Fiesta4Kids hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/fiesta4kids
Hashtag: #Fiesta4Kids
Prizes: Five prizes will be given to five randomly selected participants who answer the trivia questions correctly.
Each prize includes a $25 Walmart gift card and two $5 Jennie-O product coupons.
Hosts: @theMotherhood, @theMotherhood25, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann
Sponsor: @Champions4Kids
Blogger Co-hosts:
Adelina, Home Maid Simple — @homemaidsimple
Allison, Some the Wiser — @somethewiser
Amee, Madame Deals — @madamedeals
Anne, Mommy Has to Work — @mommyhastowork
Bethany, Musing Mainiac — @MusingMainiac
Bridgette, Experimental Mommy — @BridgetteLA
Christie, Saving Said Simply — @savinsaidsimply
Deborah,The TRUTH About Motherhood — @TruthfulMommy
Jennifer, Jenn’s RAQ — @JennsRAQ
Jessica,The Unemployed Mom — @Unemployed_Mom
Kasandria, Southern Bella’s Ways to Save — @SBellasWays
Lauren, Crazy About My Baybah — @MyBaybah
Leila, Life as Leels — @lifeasleels
Liz, Family is Familia — @Liz_Cerezo
Mary, Giving Up On Perfect — @MaryCarver
Mellisa, Mom Luck — @funsavingmoney
Yummy Jennie-O Turkey Kid-Friendly Recipes
Jennie-O® brand Lean Ground Turkey is all natural and contains no gluten. It is 93% Learn and 7% Fat. You can find this product int he refrigerated section of your grocery store in convenient 20-oz packages (1.25 lbs), 48-oz packages (3 lbs) or 80-oz packages (5 lbs).
You can try these recipes for your own Fiesta to Feed Families or for an easy, healthy, delicious meal that the kids will approve of! There are coupons periodically offered on the Jennie-O website, so be sure to check that out before heading to the store for ingredients.
- Kid Friendly Turkey Taco Salad
- Easy Turkey Tacos
- Buffalo Turkey Tacos
- Turkey Taco Salad
- Walking Turkey Taco
- Turkey Taco Pizza Pie
- Chipotle Turkey Tacos
When is the last time you participated in a SIMPLE Service Project?
I would love to hear about how you and your family have helped others in your own community. Good deeds, no matter how small, are something to celebrate!
I participated in this program on behalf of Champions for Kids and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
It was such a fun evening – and thank you for providing the tacos and fixings! So glad we could help out in the local community for some struggling families trying to make ends meet.
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) recently posted…Crest Pro-Health Tartar Protection Rinse – Helps Escape the Scrape
Becca @ Bare Feet on the Dashboard says
Champions for Kids does such great work. I love that you included your kids in the project to teach them about giving to others.
Becca @ Bare Feet on the Dashboard recently posted…Summer Fun: Go Bag Essentials and Sun Safety with Banana Boat Sunscreen #BBBestSummer
Mariah Leeson (@Giggles_Galore) says
What a great program to help out in the local community. My family regularly volunteers and collects party supplies and money for The Birthday Party Project. They are a DFW based non-profit that provides birthday parties and presents to children in shelters throughout the metroplex. It makes my heart so happy to see my kids helping bring joy to other children!
Mariah Leeson (@Giggles_Galore) recently posted…Girls Night Out with BJs Dine In Order Ahead App
Gena says
This is so great! (and yummy!) Our family served last year, but that’s been way too long. We need to do something like this ASAP!
Gena recently posted…Feel Good About the Juice Your Children Drink!
Debra @A Frugal Friend says
Such a wonderful dinner with friends and a great goal of helping others!
Debra @A Frugal Friend recently posted…The LEGO Movie Giveaway!!
frankl says
Fiesta to Feed Families looks so fun. How I wish me and my 2 lovely kids could join. I always prepare vegetable salads in events like this and children love them so much. Anyway, please let me know if you could get this event organized anytime soon? I would love to join. Sadly, I’m in Singapore right now and can’t be there.
frankl recently posted…Underage Smoking Gets Intense and What Parents can Do About It