Hungry To Be A Hero

Today I'm thinking about ordinary people

doing extraordinary things.

Look at the card I found at the Post Office

that reminded me of my book cover:

HERO is such a big word ... you wear it well.

Do you know someone who wears that word well?

Meet Sofia from the upcoming Flashlight Press release 

Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt.

Sofia can't help but want to help when she sees

that Maddi's refrigerator is empty.

But, slightly embarrassed by their plight, 

Maddi makes Sofia promise not to tell.

Anyone.

Not even her mom.

So Sofia uses her problem-solving superpowers ...

to no avail.

She eventually realizes that nothing will be as powerful 

as reporting that need to an adult like her mom.

So that they can work together to find a solution.

But what will happen to these BFFs

once that promise is broken?

I find it increasingly important to give students 

dilemmas like these to chew on.

It's especially difficult when two values collide.

Sofia wants to keep her promise and guard her friend's secret,

but she also wants to right a wrong and help out.

One in five children may not always have enough to eat.

Now that's a problem!

This tasty morsel can certainly inspire

your superheroes soar to new heights

and help combat hunger along the way!

 Visit Maddi's Empty Fridge page for enrichment ideas.

Then create an action plan and do something.

Make treat bags for the homeless population.

Put extra bottles of water in your car to give out.

Assemble hygiene kits to accompany the food and water.

Donate regularly to a local food pantry.

Check at your local school to see if they participate in 

the Backpack Buddy Program. Offer to help!

Want more ways to extend this treasure?

Visit Pennies of Time for ideas on helping the homeless {here}.

Check out the Moms Fighting Hunger Facebook page {here}.

Fight hunger with a heaping helping of resources 

at a Childhood Beckons blog hop {here}.
Learn more about Houston's meals-on-wheels for preK kids {here}.
Visit the Mercy Tree {here}.
And see about sharing your garden bounty {here}.

September is Hunger Action Month, the perfect time

to serve up this superhero's story. 

Pre-order your copy today.

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Serving Hungry People

This past Thursday I tried ... drum roll please ... a #servechat.

Yep, I'm on Twitter now.

I used tweet deck.

I know, it sounds so foreign to some of us, right?

It was exhausting and energizing at the same time.

First of all, it was at 9:30 Eastern which is past my bedtime,

so I had to stretch myself in more ways than one.

But I met and got to chat with with inspiring people, 

people who want to make a difference, 

people from as far away as Australia.

About hunger. And homelessness. And helping.

Such a small world when technology connects us.

Sheila from Pennies of Time organizes these chats once a month.

Here's a link to her ideas for Service Over Spring Break.

Life is hard ... but even young people like Ben can help 
make it better.

Do you know about his Food Recovery Network?

Prepare to be amazed at what this college senior noticed ...

and then did something about with the help of his friends.

So today I'm thinking that kids are heroes.

Heroes whose hearts are opened. 

Heroes who are looking around for ways to make life better.

Heroes who can change the world. 

Because life is hard. 

And people are hungry.

Sometimes those you'd never expect ... are hungry.

Wanna help?

Check out the FB page called Moms Fighting Hunger {here}.

Share your strength with No Kid Hungry {here}.

Volunteer to deliver food with Meals On Wheels {here}.

Learn more about the Buddy Backpack Program {here}.

And they're not just hungry for food, either. 

They're starving for:

Helping doesn't have to cost any money ...

what will you do to feed someone today?

Know a kid who cares? 

Nominate them for a Kohl's scholarship {here}

through March 14, 2014.

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