This September my son turns 14. My little boy now towers over his mother at 5’ 11” and flashes a smile that I know is going to break a heart or two in the coming years. He’s playing Football, Basketball, and Baseball and he’s become an eating machine. It is one of the miracles of the teen years. How can humans eat so much and be so skinny at the same time? Now with Football Season upon us, I find myself making him two dinners, one before practice and one after practice.
Consequently, our monthly food bill looks more like our mortgage payment. It’s hard to ever get out of the store for under $100 and I am a loyal Club Card user and pretty adamant that if its not on sale, its not in the cart. It makes me think constantly about families who aren’t making enough money right now. And, I know a lot of families who aren’t making enough money right now.
According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, “Nearly 15 million children live in poverty in the U.S. That number is up almost 20 percent from 2000, primarily because of higher unemployment and foreclosures.” ABC news recently ran a series of videos spotlighting the hunger epidemic going on here in the US. You can read about it here.
Since the birth of Jersey Bites, I have always felt it was our duty to not only talk about the sexy side of food and dining out, but to also talk about the serious side of food; its safety, its purity and its scarcity. I believe we as “foodies” or “food enthusiasts” or whatever you like to call yourself, should have a heightened awareness regarding those who can’t enjoy our passion, or even the comfort of staples in the fridge.
For this reason, we are so excited to announce the launch of 3SquareDeals.com, a daily deals program that will give a pecentage of every purchase to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey and to other local hunger relief programs throughout the state. Every month we will offer deals that focus on food related products and services in your community. You get to save on restaurants, gourmet products, cooking events and more and give to hunger relief efforts with every purchase. Saving and sharing at the same time. Does it get any better than that?
We will also be spotlighting a local hunger relief program each month so you will get a chance to meet the people who keep the wheels turning and you will get to learn more about the amazing services they are providing to thousands of people here in New Jersey.
Right now we are in the middle of building 3SquareDeals.com, but we have a pre-launch page that is live. (See our nifty new DEALS tab at the top.) I encourage you to register your email there so you will be notified once we go live. Every email will also be entered to win an overnight stay and dinner for two at Harrah’s Resort.
September is Hunger Action Month. In honor of Hunger Action Month the Community FoodBank of New Jersey has put together 30 days of events and opportunities. Help them by advocating, donating, volunteering or organizing to come to the assistance to those who are in need, and by registering to receive updates from 3SquareDeals.com.
Join us and spread the word. Oh, and follow us on Twitter @3SquareDeals. 3 Squares for All!
Deborah Smith , Founder and Executive Editor of JerseyBites.com. Launched in 2007 as a home for her growing collection of recipes, Jersey Bites soon grew into a hub for all things edible in the Garden State. Deborah is also the owner of Parents With Nannies, Inc. which operates a network of nanny employment websites established in 1999. In her spare time, (Ha) she works as a Social Media consultant and speaker. You can learn more about her services and marketing through social media on her blogwww.DeborahLSmith.com
