As we approach the Christmas holiday and the giving season, we’d like to do something both fun and beneficial. Specifically, we’d like to recognize the incredible work of our food banks and the importance of their mission. Our mission here at Frosty Garden is closely intertwined with theirs, with our goal being to teach other northerners the skill of providing for themselves so we can ensure we all have enough.
Access to food and nutritional health are closely correlated. Us gardeners completely understand this, most of us grow our own for the nutritional benefit of fresh food. As such, we feel that it’s important for us gardeners to recognize that food outcomes are not equal. Some of us have enough, some of us simply do not.
Food banks are the people that are directly trying to fill that gap. Not just on holidays, but every single day of the year. Sometimes the issues are matters of food accessibility. But, especially these days, it’s more often in terms of affordability. We’re all feeling the pinch of inflation.
When we boil this issue down, it isn’t about food. It’s about a person, a circumstance, a family or even a child. I don’t know about you, but I cannot accept living in a so-called “land of excess” where some go hungry or aren’t meeting basic nutritional needs. The circumstances don’t matter to me, what matters is that I act upon that information.
We’d like to use this post to encourage you to find and contribute to your local food bank this season. They will certainly accept food donations and often, they provide lists of their most critical food needs. But, a monetary donation can often be far more effective. Food banks have incredible purchasing networks that provide serious bang for the buck, plus they need financial help to accomplish their mission. If you have a little extra, or are looking for a good cause this season, your local food bank is a always great one.
As for how we’ll have some fun with this post? Through the end of 2025, for every like or love on this post, we’ll donate $1 to the Fairbanks Food Bank. For every comment we receive on this post, we’ll donate $5 to the Fairbanks Food Bank. This way, you can support your local food bank directly and we can also support ours. We’d love to hear about your local food bank in a comment, especially if they’ve touched your life (or someone you love) in some way!
Let’s make sure we all have enough through our works. This is at the foundation of why we do what we do. You don’t need a “platform” to make a difference, just making the choice to give back is what we really need. If many of us do so, it will make the world a better place for everyone.
P.S. In case you’re curious about our festive picture? It comes from what’s affectionately known as “Reindeer and Beer” in these parts. It’s a super fun collaboration between our friends at Archipelago Farms and Hoodoo Brewing Company, conducted as an annual fundraiser for the Fairbanks Food Bank. We support it every year and have for a long time!
