Maria Marchewka’s Post

*** LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS/SUPPORT (Cooking Competition) *** In Bloomington, Indiana, food insecurity runs rampant, creating problems for the community ranging from increased youth crime rates to strain on local hospitals. As an individual with access to nutritional foods, I find it my role as a citizen to play a part in giving back to the community and bringing up those around me. With these principles in mind, RedCapes was born. RedCapes is a student-led volunteer initiative aimed at targeting food insecurity and encouraging students to always look for ways to help others in their community. With the backing of the Salvation Army, we are organizing an iron-chef-style cooking competition, where we estimate over 500 servings worth of food to be made and donated to those in need. We are searching for eager students and professionals located in Bloomington to volunteer some time on November 16 to help make these meals, and the support of kind-hearted donors willing to help bring this project to life. Participants will receive verifiable volunteer hours, and all donors will be provided a full budget breakdown. Our goals are ambitious, but the need for a project of this nature will only grow, as long as these issues aren't addressed. The principles behind RedCapes involve invoking as much community support and volunteer action as possible to make the biggest impact we can -- anyone and everyone can help. This type of project is greater than any one of us. If we do not begin to pool our energy together as a community and set a trend of generosity, harsh realities like youth crime and hospital overload in Bloomington will remain at large -- is that what we want for the future of our home? Use our LinkTree for more information, sign-ups, and to make contributions. Each of us, in some way, is a hero: come wear your cape on the front with us!

Dear LinkedIn Family, Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 To everyone celebrating today, I wish you joy, love, and gratitude as you gather with your loved ones. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, togetherness, and making a meaningful impact. But let’s pause and think for a moment: What if this Thanksgiving, we take a bold step beyond usual? Let’s commit—not just to be thankful—but to take action. On an individual level, let’s pledge to avoid food waste. And nationally, let’s advocate for policies that truly make a difference. Here’s an idea: “Incentivize restaurants and hotels with tax breaks for distributing leftover food.” ♻️ Every year, billions of tons of food go to waste while millions go to bed hungry. Imagine the change we could create if businesses were rewarded for feeding people in need. This policy wouldn’t just fight hunger; it would foster community involvement and reduce food waste on a grand scale. As we share this special meal with family and friends, let’s take a moment to think of those who don’t have that privilege. Let’s support organizations tirelessly working to end hunger around the globe. Your donation, no matter how small, can make a big difference. 🙌 Here’s to appreciate the heroes fighting hunger every day around the world 🌎 1) UNICEF 2) World Food Programme 3) The Hunger Project 4) Feed the Children 5) The Akshaya Patra Foundation 6) Saylani Welfare International Trust Official 7) JDC Foundation Pakistan 8) World Central Kitchen 9) Chhipa Welfare Association® 10) Bread for the World 11) Action Against Hunger | ACF-USA 12) Feeding America 13) Meals on Wheels America 14) City Harvest 15) Food Recovery Network Add more such wonderful organizations in the comments below! Let’s amplify their efforts, give them the appreciation they deserve, and ensure they reach more hearts and hands ready to help. This Thanksgiving, let’s turn gratitude into a greater purpose. Together, we can work toward a world where no one goes hungry. What’s one way you’re giving back today? Drop your thoughts below and let’s inspire each other! 👇 To save food, the people, and our planet. #Thanksgiving2024 #GratitudeEveryday #GivingThanks #ThankfulHeart #CommunityMatters #EndHungerNow #ZeroHunger #NoFoodWaste #FeedTheWorld #FoodSecurity #HungerRelief #BeTheChange #MakeADifference #ActNow #AdvocateForGood #ImpactfulChange #PolicyMatters #SocialJustice #FoodPolicy #AdvocateForImpact #SustainableChange #DonateToday #SupportNonprofits #CharityWork #NonprofitHeroes #GivingBack #LeadershipInAction #LinkedInCommunity #FutureForward #SocialImpactLeadership #HolidayGiving #SeasonOfThanks #GratefulGiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  As we gather this week, let’s celebrate the work done and still to be done to help our food insecure neighbors in need.  Last month, I shared my goal to save $4Billion of food by 2045 through Last Mile Food Rescue, Inc. in Ohio and Kentucky and Tamiami Food Rescue in Florida. The occasion was the 2024 Food Rescue Hero Conference.   I had the pleasure of being on a panel named "Starting a Food Rescue: Choosing Your Own Adventures" with fellow founders Omar Tarabishi (Leftover Love Inc.), Lori Martin (Haven's Harvest) and Randy Rosens (Food Rescue Dude).  Check out our video here.  https://lnkd.in/eFjrBFaj My Key Points: ·        Founders reframe what possible and are willing to see it through. Food rescue is hard work but worth it. Reframing examples include:  ·        Reframe WTF as WOW TOM FERNANDEZ or WORTH THE FIGHT.  Our daughters keep me in check when I give them advice but they help rescue food.  Last Mile FR is a rocket ship delivering 30% YOY growth and will deliver 4,300,000 pounds of free fresh food in 2024. ·        Reframe IDGAF as I DELIVER GREAT AMOUNTS OF FOOD.  When people say No to food rescue, they just need more time to say Yes. Keep thinking “I deliver great amounts of food” and soon new donors will say, “I donate Great Amounts of Food”.   ·        Reframe FAFO as FEEL AWESOME FEEDING OTHERS. When someone is difficult, belligerent, unhelpful, reframe the situation by reminding them to feel awesome feeding others. Collaboration is the only way forward. Being a founder is difficult but not even comparable to the difficulty the chronic hungry face.  ·        The team is everything: The team’s job is hard and oftentimes underpaid for their brilliance. The team cares about the mission. So recognize their monumental contributions.   ·        Set big goals: My goal is to rescue $4Billion by 2045. We are on-track for $0.5Billion in Cincinnati/NKY via Last Mile Food Rescue. I set a goal of $3.5B for Florida thru Tamiami Food Rescue. This sets a vision of what’s possible, energizes allies, engages food and financial donors, gives my teams targets to execute, empowers team to try new approaches, and gives me room to adjust as necessary. Call to Action: ·        We need more founders to scale / we need you ·        It’s difficult but worth it ·        Scale with supporters not detractors ·        Team is everything ·        Ask for help – 513-237-3839(m), [email protected] Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a story in the latest issue of Neighbourhood Media detailing all the work we do via Addison Road Food Pantry Camperdown, our low-cost grocery store which makes use of rescued, donated and purchased food to support the local community and its needs. The story (link below) shows how we help feed people from Mission Australia's Common Ground housing project and the nearby Johanna O’Dea Court, a multi-storey NSW Family and Community Services apartment block. It also explains how we serve people living on a tight budget in Camperdown and Glebe, as well as people who come to the pantry from right across the City of Sydney LGA. Most of all, the story is a celebration of our monthly Addi Road 'Let's Get Cooking' sessions (AKA "the Cook-Up"), which offers 260 free hot meals for Mission Australia and Joanna O'Dea residents, as well as those shopping at our Addi Road Food Pantry Camperdown. These sessions involve a monthly cooking demo inside the Common Ground building. Food literacy is the ultimate goal behind Addi Road's Let's Get Cooking program. As well as simply providing a free hot meal (and dessert) each month, we look at helping people to shop AND cook with often very limited funds. Each month there are easy recipes on offer (and ready to be tasted) along extra tips for stocking people's kitchen cupboards; a list of essentials to facilitate simple, inexpensive and nutritious recipes that will match whatever Addi Road Food Pantry might have in stock. It's about building an integrated food ecology for people battling. With a few extra special ingredients over a shared meal as the community comes together: camaraderie and connection. + #Addiroad #cityofsydney #foodrelief #foodjustice #housing #inequality #Camperdown #Glebe #MissionAustralia #homeless #battling #costofliving #poverty #resilience #mentalhealth #wellbeing #nutrition #diet #charity #community #freemeals #cookingworkshop #volunteers #caring #education #connection #letsgetcooking #neighbourhoodmedia https://lnkd.in/gs7vVEvM

We should always respect the food. Yesterday, I watched this video, and it made me so emotional. 🥹 This is a reminder of how fortunate we are to have access to food and how deeply many people long for just a basic meal. This experience has led me to reflect on the importance of respecting food and recognizing the profound gratitude we should feel for having enough to eat.  It is our duty to not only cherish the food on our plates but also to contribute to reducing food waste and supporting initiatives that aim to alleviate hunger. Simple acts, such as mindful eating, avoiding excess, and donating to food banks, can make a significant difference. Each action we take, no matter how small, contributes to a broader effort to ensure that everyone has access to the nourishment they need. 👏 let us respect the food we have and be grateful for the abundance in our lives. 🙏 🙏 #RespectTheFood #Gratitude #FoodForThought #MindfulEating #FoodJourney #EndHunger #FoodInsecurity #FoodIsLife #SupportFoodBanks #linkedinlife #linkedinpost #engagement #linkedinforcreators #linkedintopvoices #like #comment #share

In celebration of World Food Day, we took a moment to ask our community members what their favorite dish is from our soup kitchen—and their responses warmed our hearts. Each meal we serve not only provides nourishment but also brings people together, fostering a sense of belonging and care. World Food Day is a global call to action, reminding us of the urgent need to end hunger and ensure food security for all. At the Millennial Mindset Foundation, we are deeply committed to making a sustainable impact, one meal at a time. By providing nutritious food to those in need, we aim to fight food insecurity and uplift our community. Every dish prepared in our soup kitchen reflects our mission to address hunger at the grassroots level, turning simple meals into powerful tools for change. On this day, let’s remember that access to food is a fundamental human right. We encourage everyone to take part in creating a more equitable and hunger-free world. Together, we can create sustainable growth, promote a mindset of empathy, and foster community-driven solutions for long-term impact. #MillennialMindsetFoundation #WorldFoodDay #EndHunger #FoodSecurity #Nonprofit #CommunityWork #GrowthMindset #SustainableImpact #HungerRelief #FoodForAll

3 generations of "Soul Food". Love this pic of Mum & my eldest - I am happy to post bad shots of myself because I know I take awful photos - used to it by now 🤣 One of the beautiful things about almost being 50 - is the things you used to care about - no longer matter! Every Wednesday, Mum & fellow cooks from the local church community serve 100 people - it is not a soup kitchen - it is providing a service for: 1. People who live in rural communities, who live alone, who crave connection & company - for some, this is the only interaction they have all week. 2. People who love some good "grub" - top chefs in the area often provide the main meal - Mum does desserts - today was sticky date pudding. 3. People finding it tough to make ends meet for whatever reason and just need to talk to others in the same boat. 4. People who do not want to cook a roast or home made dessert for just themselves. During #covid19, "Soul Food" teamed up with Qantas to provide first class meals - about to be thrown out - to the community. It was a massive operation and helped bind the townspeople. Community is a very important part of Wellbeing & Mental health. Did you know that people who do charity do not suffer Depression? In Australia, 70% of the country will never do charity, and if they do, they find the practice in their 40s + Teach them young! Thanks to Bendigo and Adelaide Bank for your ongoing support. Thanks to local producers for providing the weekly ingredients. The Bacchus Marsh region of Victoria produces 1/3 of the state's fruit and veggies. The area remains "spray free" or glyphosate free and we are aiming to keep it that way. Mum is almost 80 and still says "I enjoy helping out the oldies" - we tried to get to the Little Talks City of Melbourne with Ronni Kahn AO from OzHarvest OzHarvest Melbourne last month - but as it was a Wednesday - we had "Soul Food" to provide for that day. Full praise to everyone in the Aussie Community for doing what they can. #wellness #mentalhealth #depression #family #connection #community #charity #finance #business #banking

WORLD FOOD DAY World Food Day is not only about celebrating the amazing food that people have the privilege of indulging in, but it is about raising awareness for people who do not have such privilege. ▪︎When is it? - October 16th ▪︎Official website :- fao.org/world-food-day/en ▪︎Founded in:- 1945 ▪︎ Who founded it? - Food and Agriculture Organization *How to Celebrate World Food Day* A number of opportunities exist to get involved with World Food Day! Celebrate the day with some of these ideas: • Make a Donation to a Food Bank or Charity- One of the best ways to celebrate World Food Day is by giving food to people who need it the most. • Visit a Farm or Food Producer- World Food Day might be a great time to understand where food comes from by visiting a local farm or dairy, or even visiting an open kitchen restaurant to see the time and effort that goes into creating such delicious food. •Attend a World Food Day Event- A number of different events take place on World Food Day, so it is worth looking into these to see if there is anything going on in your local area. This includes everything from concerts and contests to cultural performances, exhibitions, hunger marches, and marathons. - It is worth spending some time researching the different ways that countries all around the world honor World Food Day. More than 150 countries participate in this day, and there are conferences and different events that happen all around the world. #worldfoodday #fao #food #foodtechnology

Ending the week on a sweet note because every Friday at ContactPoint360 Cebu Site should taste this good! What's your go-to donut flavor? Let us know in the comment section. 😋🍩 #ContactPoint360 #Philippines #CebuSite #ServiceWithSmile #EnjoyAtWork #donuts

Neha rushed into the corporate canteen, late for lunch again. She quickly piled her plate with rice, curries, and naan, barely thinking. But halfway through her meal, she was full, and pushed her half-eaten plate aside. Just then, she noticed something that stopped her cold. Across the table, Ramesh, one of the cafeteria workers, stared at the wasted food. "Do you know," he said softly, "that in some places, children go to bed hungry while we throw away food every day?" His words hit Neha hard, and she felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She remembered her grandmother’s words, growing up: "Food is a gift, never waste it." That evening, Neha couldn’t shake the image of the uneaten food. The next day, she spoke to HR about implementing changes in the corporate canteen. Soon, posters were put up reminding employees to take only what they needed. Leftovers were collected and donated to nearby shelters. Similar initiatives took off in nearby restaurants, with smaller portion options and leftover food going to the needy. Neha realized that it wasn’t just about food. It was about the resources, the effort, and the lives behind each meal. How often do we carelessly waste what others desperately need? Let’s start small – by being mindful of our portions, supporting food donation programs, and spreading awareness. Together, we can make a difference. How are you helping to reduce food waste? Share your ideas in the comments! #india #socialmedia #humanresources #sustainability