The holidays are around the corner but before we get there, let’s take a big look at all the things for which we have to be grateful! In the month of November, we processed $4894.80 worth of contributions from our partners and returned $6287.10 in food donations, equaling 1,301 meals delivered to local resource centers, food pantries, and community members experiencing hunger. One of our clients recently referred to them as his “Happy Meals” which I think is just about the highest compliment we could receive. 

This brings our total to an astonishing 14,749 meals delivered in the last 12 months. Congratulations to the whole TAPTF Society team and our partners for this incredible success, that’s a whole lotta Happy Meals.

Remember, that this is the first holiday season in a few years without pandemic economic safety nets. Food bank leaders from all over the country are serving more clients with fewer resources since government food aid ended earlier this year. Food insecurity can be measured by lack of variety in one’s diet, according to the USDA. In 2022, more Americans reported eating lower quality diets or skipping meals entirely. And when that happens, people buy more of cheaper items that aren’t as healthy.

“We’re still at such a high rate of inflation on so many food categories that diets have shifted. Families tend to move into more boxed dinners, carbs, starches, cheaper belly-fillers” says Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. Lack of access effects your health, there’s no denying it.

Here’s a great list of some items that local food pantries typically need and that kids can enjoy. If you see an item at the grocery store that’s Buy One, Get One, consider buying it and donating your bonus item. Grocery store gift cards are always a good idea and can give a family the flexibility and dignity to accommodate their own traditions around the holidays. 

• Kids cereal
• Shelf-stable milk (Parmalat and some nut milks)
• Cooking oil
• Canned veg/fruit/soup
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Spices
• Tuna
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Macaroni & cheese
• Spaghetti & sauce
• Baby food & diapers
• Laundry Detergent

Click the link here to donate to the TAPTF Society and help us rescue produce, redistribute the excess, and reduce hunger in Sussex County.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go works with businesses to sell their end-of-day leftovers for 60%-80% off. By matching hungry, cost-conscious customers with surplus food, the app’s creators say they minimize waste, one bag of saved food at a time. Every day, unsold food from local restaurants, grocery stores, cafés, and shops goes to waste simply because it isn’t sold in time. The Too Good To Go app makes it easy to make a difference, allowing you to save Surprise Bags of good food at an even better price. I know I have plenty of local restaurants where I would happily eat anything on the menu, why not help the restaurant reduce their waste by letting them choose what you get? It’s also a great way to try out something different at a reduced price. 

“We’ve saved over 250 million meals,” says Chris MacAuley, the app’s U.S. manager. “That’s one meal every three seconds. So if you think about the scale, it is having an impact.”

Listen to their story on NPR.com

The Season of Stuff

It has always been easier to spend money than it has been to make money. But scientists are finding out that it’s even easier to spend money when you don’t see or touch real cash. The brain experiences more discomfort spending physical money than it does digital money, according to Dr. Dimitrios Tsivrikos of University College London. And mindless spending during the holidays can affect our emotional wellbeing, our bank accounts, and the environment. So let’s take a breath and take control and take a look at a few ways that we can reduce our stress while reducing our carbon footprint this holiday season.

As a general rule of thumb, if everyone just bought less, think of the impact this could have. Buying less means that you will prioritize quality over quantity. You’ll start to buy items that have a higher quality that will last longer.

Buying less means less will end up in the landfill. Specifically, cheap plastics that won’t biodegrade for a billion years. 

Buying less means that when you really do need to purchase something, you’ll start asking more questions, such as where was it made, how was it made, and by whom. The online item might be inexpensive, but if it comes from across the planet by someone making half a cent an hour, then what is the real cost of those savings?

And ultimately, buying less means you will develop a consumable consciousness because you become more aware of what you consume by having and needing less.

I’m not saying we all need to stop shopping immediately, although my credit card would thank me, but if we really want to reduce our environmental impact, we can all become more mindful shoppers and consumers and see what it brings this holiday season.

Volunteering is the greatest gift you can give! If you would like to meet new people while doing some good this season with the TAPTF Society, simply reply to this email or visit us at TAPTFSociety.org. 

All monetary donations are tax deductible.