Let's feed some kids together!

Tied to Him is a book very near and dear to my heart because of one of the issues it addresses, which is childhood hunger in America.

As a child, my parents were poor, my mother a teacher and my dad working freelance jobs that never paid much. They always struggled to pay bills and make sure there was food on the table, and it caused arguments and hardships aplenty for all of us as I grew up.

I remember one winter when the space heaters in our small home burned out in all but one bathroom, and we couldn't afford to fix them. I did my homework in that bathroom every night, squeezed in between the toilet and the sink, my back to that heater, trying to keep warm.

We'd often have meals of beans and ketchup, which I didn't know wasn't normal fare until I told my husband about it in recent years, and I remember distinctly one Thanksgiving when some people from our church stopped by with a food box for our family.

It was extra surprising for my mom, who'd actually been volunteering to drive food boxes to other homes. When we went to load up, they gave us one, and I remember the humiliation she felt, but also the relief that we'd have that food. My mother is a proud woman, so even though she didn't admit it at the time, I knew we desperately needed it. It made a big difference for our family, and we were some of the fortunate ones.

Because I always did have food, even if it was from charity, or just beans and ketchup. And I'm so, so grateful for that.

Today, 1 in 5 children in America regularly goes hungry. School programs try to help with discounted or free lunches, but so many times there just isn't enough funding, and kids fall through the cracks on the weekends and during summer vacation.

That's where this book comes in. I wanted to write something sexy and fun and exciting, but I also wanted a chance to bring this to people's attention and try to do some good together, as a community.

No matter what our politics, I know we can all agree that in the richest nation on earth, people shouldn't be going hungry, especially not children, who can't control their circumstances.

So, I propose a solution!

For the next few months of summer, let's donate together to local food banks! 

Every time I post a piece of relationship or sexin' advice, I'll drop a donate button at the bottom of the post. Think of it like a tip jar--if you like the post, please consider dropping a buck or two in the donation jar, and at the end of September, I'll add it all up, and donate it to the food banks which keep our nation's families fed.

I'll definitely be chipping in myself and will keep everything transparent, with screenshots, etc, so we know how we're doing along the way.

I can donate it all to the Portland Food Bank, or I'd be happy to survey you guys and hit the biggest cities with a piece of the pie. Your call.

What do you think?

Do you like the idea? Would you like your city to be represented, or are you cool with an Oregon donation? Any other suggestions?

I consider all my readers part of my big, extended family, so don't hesitate to let me know what's on your mind :). I just know that together, we can make a difference for local kids, which makes a difference for ALL of us.

So, what do you say? Ready to get this party started?