Every year–throughout the year, actually–we donate to Northwest Harvest, a charitable organization that oversees numerous food banks around the area. But I always donate more at this time of year. For one thing, I stood in food bank lines many times when I was poor and had no money. I remember those government donations of cheese, peanut butter, and butter.

Second, Charles Dickens put it best when the solicitors for charity told Scrooge: “We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”

This is a harsh time of year, and this year it will be even more so, with all the unemployment and loss and illness. Since Sam and I are fine, I am making this offer: I am donating a base amount to NW Harvest as usual, but if you’d like to help add to that, tell me the nicest thing someone’s ever done for you. For each person who comments, up to 500 comments, I will add $1 in to my donation, so I’ll add up to $500.

Come on out and help, folks!

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Blogmas: Food Drive for Northwest Harvest
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28 thoughts on “Blogmas: Food Drive for Northwest Harvest

  • 12/20/2020 at 10:22 am
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    Your are so generous and a wonderful person. We donate through the school and they distribute to those in need.

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  • 12/18/2020 at 5:58 pm
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    The nicest thing someone ever did for me was when I was in 4th-5th grade. I was always shunned by kids for being creative, a little bit, and having a voice that makes people ask if I have a cold. It was difficult and I only ever had one friend. Then, in fourth grade, I was signed up to get a lunch buddy, an adult who would spend lunch once a week with their assigned kid. My lunch buddy was always there for me and would help build my confidence as best as she could, she encouraged me and found my little oddness great. She ended up having to leave the program because she was returning to university, but I know without her, I wouldn’t be like I am today. That was the nicest thing someone ever did for me, help shore me up when all the kids and teachers around me just wanted to beat me down.

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  • 12/18/2020 at 10:32 am
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    First of all, I’d love to say thank you for your generosity.. You are truly a kind and beautiful soul who believes in paying it forward.
    The kindest experience I’ve had is having a husband who is doing everything for me, post-op, and I do mean everything. He works full time, and comes home to help me shower, cooks, and takes care of the kittehs, along with everything else chore wise. And he plays games with me, even if he’s exhausted. I’m so grateful for my honey!

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  • 12/18/2020 at 10:05 am
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    The nicest thing that’s happened to me, was my daughter secretly paid part of my blown brake line repair…I went to pick up and pay for the repair and they told me someone had paid $250 of the $800+ bill…it still brings tears to my eyes.

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  • 12/18/2020 at 9:59 am
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    We donate to Northwest Harvest and our local food bank every year. They made the difference for us twice in our life when prolonged unemployment meant every penny went to rent and utilities – there wasn’t really enough left for food and even less for gifts. Now that we are blessed not to need it, we give back. There but the grace of the gods go i. i never take food for my kids for granted.

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  • 12/15/2020 at 1:50 pm
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    One, i din´t trust to stand to me help me this year a lot. She was just their, but this was so much more than i expectet.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 11:11 pm
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    The only thing that comes to mind is my husband.
    When we first found out we were pregnant with my eldest son, we we’re getting back together from a rough patch. Long story short, everyone-family and friends, questioned him at every turn if the baby was his. He tried to shield me from a lot of the hatred and uncertainty, but it still bled through. I caught him telling his family,” Whether the baby is black, white, chinese- doesn’t matter. I’m here and that baby is mine.”
    Needless to say, the baby is his in blood as well as name.
    The nicest thing was having him by my side even when those closest to us were trying to plant seeds of doubt.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 9:55 pm
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    I’ve had a lot of people do nice things for me, but the best were people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.

    Thank you for doing this, Yasmine. There is so much need right now!

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  • 12/14/2020 at 9:38 pm
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    Your such a wonderful and beautiful giving woman.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 9:09 pm
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    This is a beautiful thing to do, and how wonderful to let all of us be apart of the donations in a small way. Happy Holidays to you, Sam and the kitties❣

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  • 12/14/2020 at 7:44 pm
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    Nicest thing someone has done is acknowledge the work I do. It is a small thing to show appreciation and acknowledgment of what people do, even if it is their job.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 6:04 pm
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    What an amazing thing y’all are doing. One of the biggest things I’ll forever be grateful(wasn’t necessarily something for me but it helps me) is the foster parents(soon to be guardians to my daughter) who are the parents of her best friend, taking her in and letting me still be apart of her life through the last 2 years since we lost my mom. I’ve seen my daughter blossom into a young lady and I’m so proud of her. To some that may not understand I will always love my daughter and the hardest thing I had to do was not be her mother. But she’s always wants me In her life and that’s all I want. These people and my daughter are why I’m a more humble person. She’s my world and my miracle. I’ll always be grateful for what they have done for her and me(I can rest easier knowing she’s safe)

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  • 12/14/2020 at 5:46 pm
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    Thank you so much for doing this, we have had rely on the kindness of stranger before. This very tangible thing literally makes a difference in lives.

    A hundred thousand blessings on you and yours!!

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  • 12/14/2020 at 3:18 pm
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    One Christmas, many years ago, a local church “adopted” my son & I. They provided Christmas gifts & dinner plus $300 in grocery gift cards.
    I have tried to pay it forward ever since. God bless them.
    Happy holidays to everyone!

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  • 12/14/2020 at 1:24 pm
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    Wow, this is so generous of you. This motivates me to make a donation. I have done in the past, but not on a regular basis.

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    • 12/14/2020 at 6:04 pm
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      The reason I do it this way, is that I like people to feel like they can be a part of it, especially if they’re having a rough time and can’t donate otherwise.

      Reply
  • 12/14/2020 at 12:26 pm
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    I think it is amazing that you are donating. Thank you

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  • 12/14/2020 at 11:29 am
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    I hate that things like this are necessary, but I love that people like you — who are willing and able — step in to help. <3 Thanks for letting us be a part of your kindness this year.

    I feel like I'm disproportionately lucky in the "kindnesses done to me" area. My friends and family are as generous as they can be, and make sure that I know they care about me. One thing, from YEARS ago, does stand out as a "random act of kindness" thing, though.

    I was working at Blockbuster, and we had just started carrying those tiny, hand-held, digital camcorder things. They were between $100 and $300, depending on which version you chose, and I thought they were SO COOL!! We had gotten a call from another Blockbuster in town, asking if we had any in stock for a customer of theirs – they were out of the one he wanted. We did, so we put it on hold for him. Later that afternoon, I was talking about them to my store manager, and letting him know about the one on hold. He (my store manager) said that I should buy myself one, and I told him it was out of my budget… so he suggested I ask Santa for it for Christmas (it was during the holiday season). I told him it wasn't in any of my "Santas'" budgets, either. Then the guy who it was on hold for comes to the counter (he had been in the store, but we didn't know he was the one the camera was for.) He buys two of the cameras — the one we were holding, and another one from the rack (they were in prime "impulse buy" spots at the register). He, my manager, and I all chat a bit about the cameras, who he's buying for, and random holiday things. Then he leaves the store. As he's getting into his car, I realize that he'd forgotten one of the cameras on the counter — so I ran out the front door (my manager was ahead of me by a few steps, trying to catch him before he drove away). I flagged him down, and he waved out the window at me, hollering "Merry Christmas" across the parking lot. <3

    I loved that thing, and had it for quite a few years before it stopped working properly. Made me smile every time I used it.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 11:18 am
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    A friend gave me a job opportunity for the month bc my house had all lost their jobs. They’ve helped support us while we get back on our feet and get the first check or two back into our house.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 11:12 am
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    The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, well it would have to be my boyfriend’s companionship. He has a big heart, and has taken on myself and 3 kids for the past few years, stood by my side while I have gone through surgeries,dialysis, covid , and now going through my evaluations for transplant. He has never once complained, or even asked for anything, he just tells me how much he loves me and the kids and how we will get through it.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 11:01 am
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    When I first moved to North Carolina and started work at the truck stop, I had no extra money. I forgot my lunch one day and was just going to sit in the car. One of the other cashiers saw I didn’t have lunch. She bought an extra burger and fries, came to my car and gave it to me. Somehow she knew I didn’t have any money that day. We sat and ate lunch together in my car (found out she didn’t have a car). She wouldn’t let me pay her back with money or a ride. We became really good friends after that.

    This is an awesome idea, better than a prize ☺

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  • 12/14/2020 at 11:01 am
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    Such a thoughtful thing to do especially when so many people need the help

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  • 12/14/2020 at 10:56 am
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    What a wonderful thing you are doing, so here’s my comment! Thank you!!!

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    • 12/14/2020 at 1:22 pm
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      Thank you for. Being so generous – diane

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  • 12/14/2020 at 10:55 am
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    My life has been blessed with kindness, especially in times of hardship. From bringing food, drinks, and love to my family when my dad was in the hospital, to dropping off supplies as my family has been battling Covid. I cannot count the times.

    But I will say this. Thank you. I too have had my fair share of food bank visits, so this is near and dear to my heart. And on a side note, my girls’ youth group for all of Washington and Idaho are supporting NW Harvest as their service project this year. They just presented a $25k check to then on the 5th and are currently raising non-perishable food to be donated to local food banks. Thank you for all you do.

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    • 12/14/2020 at 11:53 am
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      Bless you and Sam for doing this. I am unaware of any opportunities like this in my area, and that makes me sad.
      I’ve led a blessed and fortunate life, and I’m thankful for it. The moments of kindness that stick out to me can mostly be categorized as “little things,” like friends showing up unexpectedly to my mother’s wake, or classmates coming together to send flowers to the funeral home; a coworker buying me a slice of cheesecake when I’m having a rough night, or friends buying a cake when I dedicated myself to the Craft.

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  • 12/14/2020 at 8:15 am
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    I love this idea <3 We have our places we give to yearly too, but you're right, this year is so hard for so many.
    The nicest thing is the love and friendship I feel from my family, author buddies (like you!!) and my readers. There is so much good in this world and it's lovely to be reminded of that.

    Reply

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