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You Can #FightChildHunger

June 24, 2010 by

Most of you should know about the efforts we put forth this past spring working with ConAgra Foods, Feeding America and the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.  With a little bit of work and a lot of neighborhood, family and friend support we were able to raise a couple hundred bucks and over 400lbs of food for the Baltimore, MD community.

I heard from lots of you saying that you really wanted to get involved and do something in your own neighborhoods but were short on time. I’m here to tell you there is still time to host your own neighborhood rally with Child Hunger Ends Here.  Simply register your rally and you will be sent banners, coupons and more; everything you need for a successful and FUN event.

Our family went big and had a Neighborhood Block Party but it doesn’t have to be so large scale for you.
Host a food drive with your church or set up a lemonade stand at the end of your street. Get your friends and community involved, contact local news and radio stations for announcement information, post flyers at the grocery stores, daycare centers and coffee shops.  With just a little work you can do something grand for the 17 million children who are hungry right now in the United States.

Take the pledge, take a stand, take a step towards ending childhood hunger today.  I would love to hear about your efforts and events!

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Public Service Announcement – No Expired Food!!

May 18, 2010 by

On Saturday after a month or so of planning we had our block party for the “Child Hunger Ends Here” campaign. Melinda worked her butt off to secure the moon bounce, the cupcake truck and to make sure there was enough food, drinks and raffles for everyone. She did a great job putting everything together and the day was awesome but there was one huge problem. The food donations!

To gain admission to the moon bounce all you needed to do was bring non perishable food items or a small financial donation. Most people brought food but some people did give food and money. It was great we had so much food I needed to load up the kids’ wagon 2 or 3 times to get all of the food to the van. The van was so full with food that the back end was kind of sagging due to the weight. We were so excited and proud that people stepped up and donated for a great cause.

On Sunday Melinda wanted to look through the food to see what was donated and she started to look at the expiration dates on the items. One of the first two items she pulled out of the bag was expired. We were hoping this was an isolated incident and that everything would be good but now we started to check every item in the van to make sure the dates were good. They weren’t and we found item after item with expiration dates 2, 3 and 4 years past the date. I understand a can or two but we filled up two 13 gallon trash bags with expired food. What a waste.

I was really mad and upset that this happened. This was supposed to be a fund raiser to help feed hungry child not a day to clean out your pantry and give old expired food so your child could go on the moon bounce. I understand people not wanting to go to the store to buy food when they have food at home but seriously people check the date. You shouldn’t even be eating it let alone donating it for someone else to eat. That just isn’t cool. I understand things and the economy are tight but if you aren’t able to give food that is not expired then do not give anything at all because all we did was just throw it away.

All in all it was a great day and when Melinda dropped off the food at the Maryland Food Bank on Monday the total weight of the donation was 338 pounds. Not a bad day if you ask me for one local block party but it could have been better if we didn’t have two trash bags full of waste. So this is my gripe and now a service announcement to all. If you are going to donate food to a cause pretty please make sure the item is not expired.




The Block Party was a SUCCESS

May 16, 2010 by

How many ways can you have success? We have many successes yesterday with the Child Hunger Ends Here Block Party.

  • Beautiful weather
  • A minivan FULL of food
  • An awesome FeedingAmerica.org donation
  • Smiling kids in a bounce house for 5 hours
  • Balloon sword fighting and bug bracelets
  • Sticky yummy caramel popcorn
  • Ice cold lemonade
  • Kids of all ages bringing food for a good cause
  • Loving & generous family and friends that stepped up to help all day

I couldn’t have asked for a better day. The moon bounce was being filled and about 7 kids were waiting for it. I had to instruct them that this event was a fundraiser/food drive, go home talk to your parents and bring me something in exchange for admittance. I’ve never seen a bunch of kids take off so fast and come back with bags and bags of goodies. I wondered if they even asked their parents and didn’t just raid pantries.

Within 30 minutes of the official start time of noon the park was full of kids and adults enjoying hot dogs, cupcakes, lemonade and Philly Pretzels! I designed a very inexpensive fishing game for the toddlers and it was a HIT. A plastic storage container, large shaped cookie cutters and 2 dollar store fishing rods. The toddlers were able to pick prizes donated from Milkshake and little things Shae and I picked out earlier in the week; the pinwheels and CDs seemed to be the most popular.

Bloggy momma support from Sunday, Lara, Cara, Melissa and Joanne was so overwhelming. I’m glad I’ve made such great IRL friends from my online life especially to help me #fightchildhunger.

It was a great day. Rob, my dad and I are planning one for next year already!




Good Morning Maryland ABC News, That’s ME!

May 14, 2010 by

Working with the Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign has been one of the most inspiring projects of my life. I’ve volunteered before but never felt that I could really make an impact they way I am with this fundraiser.
Good Morning Maryland, ABC 2 News brought me in the studios yesterday morning to talk about the Block Party this weekend and the support I’ve received following that appearance has been overwhelming.
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I want to thank all the fab FH ladies, the super sweet Feeding America team, the strong ConAgra group and all my family and friends who have worked with  me over the last few weeks to help make tomorrow a success.  Also a special shout out to all the blogger friends coming out to join the fun and support the cause.




It’s Party Time

May 12, 2010 by

This Saturday, May 15th is our Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally. I’m joining together with Perry Hall Moon Bounce, Iced Gems Baking, Nerf, Port Discovery and other local sponsors to bring the community together to raise awareness and funds and food for Feeding America and the Maryland Food Bank.

The Moon Bounce, face painting and games are free. Iced Gem Baking, will be there selling her infamous cupcakes. Snacks and drinks will also be available for sale. Don’t forget that there will be some really fun raffles to giveaway too!

Saturday, May 15, 2010 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
OakHurst Park (end of Sylvanoak Way)
Nottingham, MD 21236

We are asking all the families to donate financially or with a bag of non-perishable food. Remember ALL proceeds not only go towards Feeding America and the Maryland Food Bank they also stay in this community to feed our children. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, melinda@lookwhatmomfound.com.




Special Thanks and Baltimore Child Hunger Ends Here Block Party

May 1, 2010 by

I want to personally thank everyone that has supported not just me but all the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign bloggers and all of our readers and the rallies they have organized. Here is a glimpse of the great efforts put forth just from our readers and friends.

Donna C. is having a food drive at work
Paula K is having a food drive with her playgroup
Carol is having a bake sale ht her granddaughters gym class
Amy is having a bake sale at dance class
Dee is having a bake sale
Rachel works with the Boy Scouts on a food drive
AKinsey is having a lemonade stand
Jen H collects food for local food bank

Let’s all applaud the steps they are making to #fightchildhunger in their own neighborhoods.

Here is what I’m doing in my own neighborhood.

We’re hosting a Block Party! We’ve secured a Bounce House courtesy of Perry Hall Moon Bounce in Perry Hall, MD. Iced Gems Baking is coming with her fantabulous truck to sell cupcakes! Sponsors such as Nerf, Port Discovery, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Six Flags America and more have donated raffles prizes and games and other fun stuff to entertain and help raise funds. Look out for the face painters and balloon artist! Snacks and drinks will also be available for sale.

We welcome anyone and everyone in the Baltimore, MD region to attend! Please don’t forget that while this event is meant to be tons of fun it’s also a fundraiser. Don’t forget a bag of non-perishable food or a financial donation to benefit Feeding America.
Saturday, May 15, 2010 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
OakHurst Park (end of Sylvanoak Way)
Nottingham, MD 21236
Everyone is invited!!!

If you need any more information or would like to help organize, donate food, funds, equipment, supplies or services do not hesitate to contact me. We can always use more support.




What is your Blog Purpose?

April 27, 2010 by

Whatever that purpose is do you have one? I’ve been thinking about my purpose over the last couple days and realize my original purpose has changed since I started in November 2008.

My intent was to tell my readers all the new and cool things “Mom Found” on my obsessive internet window shopping trips. I do that, I still love doing that but I realize I want to do so much more. The Child Hunger Ends Here project and trip to Wisteria Lane opened my eyes to greater things out there; things that can really make a difference. I do love reviewing cool, new, unique products and I especially love giving all of my friends the chance to win them through giveaways but I know I want to do more.

Working on the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign is exactly what I never knew I wanted to do. It has given me a voice for a cause that matters. I have a voice, sometimes it’s small but it has something to say. I have other things to say and I want the chance to say it more often and about more than kid shoes, handbags and toys.

So in a nutshell, I’m not going anywhere I’m just changing my focus a little bit. I will still tell you about the fun stuff we do, we use, we eat and we talk about. I’ll still offer awesome giveaways and I’ll still keep you in the loop on the latest craziness in our family but I’m going to have other things to share that hopefully you’ll appreciate and share with others.




It doesn’t take much to make a difference

April 23, 2010 by

There is less than 1 week left to enter to win a ConAgra Foods gift basket for hosting your own Child Hunger Ends Here rally to raise awareness, funds or food to #fightchildhunger.

I’m hosting a neighborhood Block Party in Baltimore, MD  with a bounce house, games, food and fun but you don’t need to do something so elaborate. Virtually any effort you make for this cause will not only count as chances to win but will also make a great impact in your community.
Here are some simple ideas for your own neighborhood rally

  • gather your mom friends for playdate and ask each family to bring a food donation for a local food pantry
  • let your children host a Lemonade Stand outside neighborhood grocery store
  • ask local elementary school to run a Penny Drive and donate proceeds to Feeding America
  • Invite family for dinner and use participating ConAgra Foods as the meal’s ingredients
  • take advantage of spring weather and host your own yard sale
  • host a bake sale at your place of worship

I told you it doesn’t take a lot of work, money or effort. The possibilities are endless.  Use your imagination, use your environment just add an extra step into your everyday to help the 17 million children who are hungry each day. So far over 350 rallies have been registered across the United States. Get yours registered and enter to win a goody filled basket from ConAgra Foods and Desperate Housewives.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




ConAgra Food’s Child Hunger Ends Here Celebrity Auction Rummage Sale

April 16, 2010 by

There are many ways to make a difference in the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign. Neighborhood rallies, bake sales, dinner parties and more are happening all over the United States. Hollywood is holding a Celebrity Auction. Clothes Off Our Back lets you bid on some of your favorite star’s own merchandise. Here’s a teeny sampling of what’s for grabs.

David Arquette’s own HOMESCHOOLED t-shirt from his closet
Kathy Ireland’s Peacock Platter from her Home Collection
Holly Robinson Peete Autographed book My Brother Charlie

That was just a sampling of all the different products you can find. There is something for everyone; handbags, Twilight goodies, Sugarland music and clothing.

Bidding is going on till May 4th so take a peek over what’s available for a HUGE array of celebrities from all branches of entertainment. Remember ALL proceeds benefit Feeding America to help end child hunger now.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Wisteria Lane Kickoff to the Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign

April 9, 2010 by

I traveled all the way across the country this week to Wisteria Lane for the Kickoff to ConAgra Foods Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign. It was a whirlwind to say the least. With 12 hours of traveling and 26 hours on the ground to say I’m exhausted is an understatement.  Would I do it again? You bet.  With 17 million hungry child right here in the United States why wouldn’t I take any step necessary to spread the word.

Tuesday:
Arrive to meet all the other fab ladies and FH team for lunch. I’ll give you a rundown of everyone later. We mingle and chat and click right away then off to the LA Regional Food Bank for a tour and volunteer activity. We packed approx 160 backpacks with cereal, peanut butter, milk and more so some of their most needy and hunger students. The facility was HUGE but in order to feed 1M residents a year it has to be.
This is where we met the Feeding America team. All money raised during this campaign and with the neighbor rallies and the purchase of participating foods benefit FeedingAmerica.org and local agencies. You could feel the passion and gratitude as they spoke about the needs for not just the Los Angeles location but the needs all over the country.


Wednesday:

Wisteria Lane here we come! After some delays at the gate we finally made it to the Desperate Housewives’ neighborhood. The kickoff started with a celebrity backpacking session, the same thing the blogger group did the day before at the LA Food Bank. Next came the announcements of the efforts being made across the country. The words were heartfelt and powerful and informative from ConAgra’s Kori Reed, Feeding America and Dana Delaney; Child Hunger Ends Here spokesperson.

To date, more than 330 Child Hunger Ends Here neighborhood rallies have been registered throughout the country to fight against child hunger. I’m registering one of my own this weekend. I’m participating in a community Flea Market where all the proceeds will go directly to Feeding America. If you are in the Baltimore County are please visit the Seven Oaks Senior Center Flea Market on May 22nd.

Please do something to #FightChildHunger in your neighborhood. Have a dinner, invite your family and tell them nearly 17 million children in the US are hungry. Gather your co-workers together and organize a food drive and donate to your local food bank. Rally your children for a lemonade stand on a sunny afternoon, teach them that while they have a nutritious meal 3 times a day there are many children who do not. It doesn’t take much to spread the word and for this fight every dollar truly counts. If you register a rally come let me know and you’ll be entered to win your own ConAgraFoods & Desperate Housewives gift basket.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




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