Eating at Panera Helps Feed the Hungry

For the past week or so, we have been focused on restaurants and hotels that are giving to the needy people in our communities. This is because I am so impressed with the restaurateurs, food trucks and others who donating time and money to help those who are hungry and those who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. For example, Uber Good, a new food truck in Orlando, is asking its guests to donate blankets and coats to the homeless who are particularly suffering in the chilly weather. Feeding people in need is a cause I am so passionate about because I have never had to go hungry, and can't imagine how awful that would be.

Panera's Harvest Cookie

Now, I am planning to eat at Panera Bread more often because they are donating money to Second Harvest Food Bank, a great organization that gets food to organizations such as HIV/ AIDS groups and homeless shelters. Throughout November and December, Panera's Central Florida restaurants are matching its guests' donations to Second Harvest, dollar for dollar. And, 100% of the proceeds from a special edition Harvest Cookie will be donated to Second Harvest from November 1 through November 25.

Please tell me you will be eating at Panera to support Second Harvest Food Bank! I highly recommend Panera's French Toast Bagel and the Thai Chopped Chicken Salad. 

Help to Feed New York's Hungry

Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin
supports City Harvest

It is difficult not to feel helpless after Hurricane Sandy left a path of destruction in New York, New Jersey, and several other states last week. Millions of people are still without power and running water. For those of us who cannot be there in person to help, there is another way. 

There are several funds set up to help those who are displaced from their homes. And you can donate to the American Red Cross. However, I have come across an organization that gets food to the hungry in New York right away: City Harvest. City Harvest has been around for years, donating food daily to New Yorkers living in poverty. In fact, the organization rescues around 115,000 pounds of food daily from restaurants, wholesalers, and others, and distributes it to community organizations.

City Harvest rescued green beans
and other produce from
North Point Terminal 

After Hurricane Sandy, City Harvest has expanded its services to neighborhoods hardest hit by the storm including downtown Manhattan, Breezy Point, and Far Rockaway. If you are a restaurant or food wholesaler in the city, please contact City Harvest. For the rest of us who simply want to get food to those who are hungry right now, visit http://www.cityharvest.org/donate-funds to make a donation.

If there are other New York City organizations in need of support right now, let me know in the comments section below. Thank you for your caring and generosity.