Thanksgiving - the name says it all. It’s a time for us to reflect on what we're thankful for and give back. At Sifted, we donate leftovers everyday, but Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to do more. This year, we’re donating money on behalf of the Sifted fam to the organizations in each city we have gotten to know well.
We support their vision and hope our contributions help them extend their mission. If you’ve been looking to give back, but haven’t found the right way to do it, here are some great organizations that are doing amazing things in our communities.
In Seattle, Sifted partners with The Bread of Life Mission. They bring hope, healing, and recovery to Seattle's homeless. For every $2 they receive, they can provide a meal for someone in need, counseling for only $100, and a bed for a night for just $10.
In Austin, Sifted donates our leftover lunches to Serafina, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of elderly and handicapped people through collecting and distributing food and essential items. They have food pantries set up as well as activities for members of the community such as exercise and nutrition classes. To find out more go to serafinaustin.org or visit their facebook page.
We also donate lunches to Keep Austin Fed, a volunteer-based nonprofit that collects the excess food from commercial kitchens and distributes them to charities and people living with food insecurity in the Austin area. This not only helps to feed those in need but also keeps food out of landfills. The mission of Keep Austin Fed is to “Reduce hunger and help the environment by connecting surplus food with our neighbors in need.”
Our Denver partner is the Food Bank of the Rockies who works to “make food security a reality for every Colorado Family.” The food bank collects and distributes nutritious food items and meals to families in need. They donate to 30 counties in Colorado and the entire state of Wyoming, serving 134,000 meals each day. With each dollar donated to the Food Bank of the Rockies, four meals are being provided to those in need.
In Nashville, we donate to Nashville Rescue Mission. They are dedicated to helping the hungry, homeless, and hurting. In 2018, Nashville Rescue Mission will give 300,000 nights and 640,000 meals to people in need. They also offer a tool that lets you see if your company matches donations. Check here to see if your company matches donations.
In Atlanta, we recommend The Giving Kitchen. They provide emergency assistance to restaurant workers through financial support and a network of community resources. TGK can help in a lot of different scenarios. Whether you have your car stolen, an injury that prevents you from working, or a family member pass, they can assist with crisis grants to help cover unforeseen costs.
No matter whether you are donating your time, money, or supplies to these organizations, you can ensure that your giving will be appreciated. Even the smallest gifts help make changes in your community. This holiday season we hope that you’ll join us in doing what we can to help those around us in need.