Take The Beans and Rice Challenge

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All proceeds earned were donated back to feed those in need!

As a mom, I really and truly want my children to have an awareness of our world. It’s easy to get caught in our suburban bubble, oblivious of those in need. Not only do I want there to be awareness in them, but I want to see a genuine passion for giving to others. We know that we have a really blessed life and it is because of those blessings that we have the opportunities to pay it forward to others.

Let’s be honest though. I say that my kids need awareness, but I know that I can be as oblivious as them to those in need and their daily struggles.

Here is one example that I am not proud of (and believe me, there are many!). I always have had a terrible attitude about grocery shopping and menu planning for our family. It often feels like so much work to feed my people- the planning, the shopping, the bagging, the putting away of the food, the preparation of it, the clean-up… that drudgery can really get to me and I am a miserable person to be around on grocery days.

Yet, I can feed my people.

Sometimes I don’t even have enough room in my fridge and I have to create a teetering game of Tetris in my giant refrigerator.

I complain about this and I was complaining about it often.

My attitude shifted though when we went to make a holiday delivery to a family in need and I peeked in the kitchen at the open shelving with just a few cans and boxes of food sitting on the shelves.

In the fridge?

Not even a gallon of milk.

When I asked the mother if we could help get her groceries she said, “Oh, no! We have more than enough food. We have so much right now,” as she gazed at her “full” shelves.

I humbly went back to my car and realized that her SO MUCH looked like SO LITTLE to me. Even on the days nearing our grocery day there still was an overabundance compared to this woman’s.

How do we create awareness though when we feel so far removed from the world’s struggles? How do we as parents make these into teachable moments for our children?

Beans & Rice Challenge

The Beans and Rice Challenge

I am so excited to share with you that I have partnered with Feeding The Nations as they embark on a unique challenge that gives your family the opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes, while helping feed those in need. This is just the kind of challenge and life lesson that I hope to pass on to my kids.

On June 13-17, just for 5 short days, commit to eating a dish of just beans and rice for at least one meal and donate the savings to those in need. How cool is that? A small sacrifice that can do so much for others!

I don’t know how much an average meal costs in your house, but I would say that it is safe to say that a typical dinner for our family costs $10-12 at home. If we substituted one of these meals for five days, we could give at least $50 to Feeding The Nations to feed those in need.

Does $50 really make that big of an impact when there are so many in need in this world? You bet it does! For just $2, Feeding The Nations is able to supply 40 people with food! That means, a simple meal switch, given my example of spending, could yield food for 1,000 people. Our family’s small sacrifice could help so many AND offers a teachable moment for my children. Kids feeding kids- it’s such a beautiful thing.

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I’d love for you to take this challenge with our family! Are you in? Please let me know! We would love for you to join our virtual dinner table to help the hungry.

Here are a few helpful resources I’ve gathered for you to prepare for this challenge on June 13-17:

The Beans and Rice Challenge

10 Reasons Why Your Family Should Make This Commitment

Beans & Rice FAQ Page (great info!!)

Feeding The Nations Pinterest Board– This can help you find recipes for your five-day challenge.

Get your own Beans & Rice Shirt– Donate $25 or more to receive a shirt. Choose the “B&R T-shirt” option and be sure to note your size (S, M, L, XL, XXL).

Donate to Feeding The Nations – Remember, $2 provides 40 meals!

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