When my friend Elise asked me to write an essay on “giving back” to coincide with the holiday theme you’ve seen throughout this issue, I replied, honored and (mostly) unhesitatingly, yes (explanation to follow).
As a longtime magazine writer/editor in NYC – the chapter before I founded Ladle of Love 22 years ago – I began writing (actually, thinking – which is the foundation of putting fingers to keyboard) for days on how I would manage the daunting job of reporting my contributions as a journalist, food curator and community thought leader. Not an easy objective for someone who is more comfortable parlaying personal kindness than deliberately shining a spotlight on it.
I definitely struggled with proclaiming all the gifts of food, friendships, and possible optics I’ve presented to our neighbors, organizations, frontliners and everyday folks. But my discomfort came from something else – the constant reflection of how those in need, need us.
All of us.
What I mean is: we all have the means to give. Not just thanks and gratitude. Or checks and monetary donations. But actual impact to our respected recipients.
While I know this culture is comfortable with communicating – well, everything – as reflected on our social media platforms, I still bristle at megaphoning my acts of care. But, in an effort to nudge even one person to give in ways they may have not thought of before, I’m going out on a limb here, to present a written selfie for the food-related and feel-good ways I have given and perhaps that will motivate you, dear reader.
First – let’s define Givers.
It starts with empathy – the inherent emotion of compassion for others. Not an expression of sorrow but in a how-can-I-help-out kind of way. Givers embrace humanity. Care. Dignity. We thrive on helping others. For those of us who possess this characteristic, Lady Gaga said it best (cue music:) “Baby I was Born This Way.”
As a small child, I was always befriending the recipients of bullying. As a teen, I gravitated toward high school teams or projects with community impact. Which led me to journalism. Reporting the truth; relaying the perspectives of the times.
And then, I found food. As a way to nourish and nurture. As Senior Editor at Ladies’ Home Journal, I wrote the food features, spending many hours in the test kitchen. And then, close family members were battling cancer, so I started making soups for their chemo treatments. And then, 9/11 hit. I started sending soups to Ground Zero for the firefighters pressed into service there.
I needed to help in the ways I could. And food was the gift I could share.
Though uncomfortable divulging my acts of kindness, here is a list of various ways I have given back to our communities throughout the years:
- Sent food to many Westchester organizations that feed our food-insecure populations
- Provided food to frontliners and support teams at our renowned hospitals
- Served as Culinary Director at The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester – ensuring the kids and staff were nourished with (sneaky) healthful foods like mac ’n cheese made with butternut squash
- Offered counsel and expertise pro bono to worthy nonprofits that needed help with program management and implementation
- Hired employees with disabilities at Ladle of Love
While the ideas above are specific to my talents and skills, there are ways that anyone can give back.
Everyone has the ability to pitch in and help those less fortunate. Here are a few of my favorite ideas that you, dear reader, can try this holiday season:
- Leave anonymous bottles of water and containers of soup for homeless people sleeping on park benches
- Play the lottery frequently in the hopes of being able to donate lotsa $$ to those in need
- Fulfill gift requests for disadvantaged youth on holiday wish lists
- Donate time to food pantries to help sort goods and get them in the hands of those who may face empty holiday tables this year with SNAP benefits cut
I’m gonna say it. I’m not interested in being an influencer. I’ve always had the goals of informer and impactor. I’ve listed my actions as well as some suggestions above to inspire you. And now you can decide how to best transform your giving abilities to make a difference.
Finally – Thank you. For Listening.
For Becoming a Giver.
Ladle of Love stands for consciously sourced food, community support and a caring work family. As the first locally sourced, prepared-food brand in Westchester, Ladle of Love has nourished neighborhoods, businesses, food insecure and frontliners with healthful, contemplative cuisine. Learn more about Leslie at ladleoflove.com.
