It’s “launch week” for my brand new book The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living. To celebrate, we are paying tribute to seven very special examples of “The Grace of Yes in Action”, the seven winners for our “Name the Goldfish” contest. I will be making a personal donation to these organizations and invite you to keep them in your prayers as well. Please help me share the good news about each of these seven organizations by sharing them via social media too — we can do a world of good by sharing the amazing work they are doing to serve others.

Tune in each day this week to meet new “Friends of Fiat”!

Connecticut Food Bank:

Winner Melissa said of her favorite charity:

Connecticut Food Bank provides nutritious food to those in need.

According to their website, it’s clear that Connecticut Food Bank is all about responsibly finding a solution to chronic hunger in the communities they serve:

Connecticut Food Bank, a private, nonprofit organization, works with corporations, community organizations, and individuals to solicit, transport, warehouse and distribute donated food. By soliciting the food industry for products that will not sell –– items that are wholesome but might have some cosmetic flaw –– Connecticut Food Bank reduces waste and feeds people.

Founded in 1982, Connecticut Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. Connecticut Food Bank is the largest centralized source of donated, emergency food in Connecticut. Through warehouses in East Haven, Fairfield, and Waterbury, and affiliated distribution centers in New London and Stamford, we provide food products to nearly 700 soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries and child and adult day programs in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties.

I will admit that even though I know this is a huge problem, I was shocked by some of the statistics shared on their website:

Among the key findings are that 45 percent of households served used three or more coping strategies in the last 12 months for getting enough food to feed themselves and their family:

• 73 percent of client households report purchasing the cheapest foods available, even if they knew it wasn’t the healthiest option
• 54 percent of client households report receiving help from family and friends
• 41 percent of client households watered down food or drinks
• 35 percent of client households pawned or sold personal property

To support the work of Connecticut Food Bank (from their website):

There are many ways to get involved in the fight against hunger.

• Make a Financial Contribution – For every $1 donated, Connecticut Food Bank can distribute $5 worth of food at wholesale value.
• Volunteer – Give your time and energy and truly make a difference in the lives of our struggling neighbors.
• Donate Food– Connecticut Food Bank relies upon both individual and food industry donations.
• Organize a Virtual Food Drive
• Employer Gift Match – Does your employer offer a matching gift program? Many companies will double, sometimes triple, your donation through their match programs. See if your employer matches today!
• Advocate for Hunger Relief – Write your state and national legislators. Share hunger statistics with your friends and family. Tweet, post, and blog about hunger in your area.

To learn more about the work of Connecticut Food Bank, click here.

Jesus, you taught us to feed the hungry and to see and love you by caring for them in their need. Help us to truly live our faith by sharing of our own resources to help those most in need. May all those who struggle to find even the most basic elements of sustenance be supported and nurtured. Help us to move beyond apathy and into action to end the plague of hunger in our world.

Click here to order The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living and tune in tomorrow to meet our next “Friends of Fiat”.