I started taking my daughter to participate in an organization called #HashtagLunchbag in winter 2014. She was just 5 at the time but still gained much from the experience of volunteering, giving back to others, and gratitude for your own blessings. Everytime we would drive in or by our downtown area, she would remind me of the people who have no homes around there.
What I particularly like about #HashtagLunchBag in San Diego is that they always make it a fun environment for everyone with the great music playing and the hustle and bustle of everyone getting together for a sole purpose. There have been more and more people, let alone more kids participating over the recent times that I had been able to attend. Its been really great to see how much it has grown in the past year even. There is a role for everyone to play. A couple months ago, I even took my little guy, 4, and he jumped right into the action. As we roamed the streets, I allowed for the kids to hand out the lunches. There were times where they were apprehensive about approaching a homeless person who they may have perceived as being “scary”… but it always ended with a heartfelt thank you that broke the ice.
#HashtagLunchbag gets together once a month so its never too late to join in on the movement and participate. Its hard to commit to going often, but even just to take the kids out there once, I can guarantee it to be a worthwhile learning experience.
The organization takes place in various cities so look to find out if they are in your area. If not… maybe you can start one up! http://www.hashtaglunchbag.org/
For my fellow SDers… here’s our local one: https://www.facebook.com/hashtaglunchbagsd/
mommyneurotic 