Pay it forward and help Texan’s affected by the awful tornado’s that came thru last week. Through April 30, 2012, you can participate in a coin box fundraiser, presented by Kroger and NBC 5, at all Kroger stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To donate, just give your spare change at the register. Kroger will match customer donations up to $50,000. One hundred percent of the monies collected will benefit the American Red Cross.

Did you know that 14.5 percent of U.S. households struggle with hunger resulting from lack of money or other resources? This is the highest number ever recorded in recent history, according to the USDA.

Through the Souper Bowl of Caring, an annual effort to tackle hunger in North Texas, you can help those who do not know where their next meal is coming from. The food drive runs through Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, and you can donate when you visit any Kroger, Tom Thumb, Albertsons or Market Street in the area.

Stay connected by following via these social medial channels!

twitter.com/souperbowl (#tacklehunger)
facebook.com/souperbowlofcaring
youtube.com/souperbowlofcaring
www.tacklehunger.org/dfw

As you look back over this past year, I hope you can say that you have been blessed with family, friends and even food. Christmas is a time for giving. To help put food in the hands of as many people/families in need this holiday season, FEEDING America and THE HELP are asking consumers to please help contribute in one of the following ways.

DONATE ONLINE - Every $1.00 donated can help FEEDING AMERICA provide meals eight meals for people in need. People who make online donations between December 1 and 11 will receive a limited-time $5.00 off coupon toward the purchase of the film THE HELP on Blu-ray or DVD.  Touchstone Pictures, the affiliate of The Walt Disney Company that distributed THE HELP, will provide a matching donation of up to $10,000, with a goal of providing  more than 200,000 meals to families at risk of hunger.

DROP OFF FOOD – FEEDING America and THE HELP themed food donation boxes will be positioned at local community events in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas and Atlanta throughout December.  The food collected will be distributed the local Feeding America food bank.  Please consider donating foods that are most frequently requested, such as cereal, pasta, rice, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, 100% juices, peanut butter, canned tuna, chicken or turkey.

Those who would like to stay connected with the FEEDING America and THE HELP program are encouraged to: 

• “Like” the Facebook page
• Follow us on Twitter 
  

Disney on Ice has a fun opportunity for you to teach your kids how to Pay it Forward! On November 22, 5-7PM, Disney On Ice® presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey,  at the Allen Event Center and Radio Disney will celebrate the start of the  holiday season with a U.S Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots donation drive. Families are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys and enjoy fun activities. Stars from Disney On Ice will also make special appearances. Those donating will receive a $5 discount coupon to any Disney On Ice performance, playing Thanksgiving week. Allen Event Center is located at 200 E. Stacy Rd., Ste. 1350 in Allen.

Toys for Tots provides toys to children who might otherwise go without due to economic hardships and family disturbances, with all local donations distributed within the community. The program also unites the Metroplex in a common cause during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign and contributes to improving the future of the community. The program was founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks, and the famous logo of a train with the name on it was designed by Walt Disney. For more information on the Toys for Tots program or to make a donation online, visit www.toysfortots.org.

When Disney On Ice skaters travel during the holidays, they enjoy bringing smiles and giving back to the communities they visit. This year, Disney On Ice skates into the Allen Event Center, November 23-27, for a Thanksgiving holiday treat. Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four exciting destinations in Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey. Audiences will be transported straight from their seats into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch and Peter Pan in this passport-to- adventure spectacular created for the entire family! To discover more about Disney On Ice, log on to www.disneyonice.com.

Here is a great Pay it Forward that you can be involved with! I wish I were in town, as I would love to be a part of this!

On Saturday, November 12, 3PM, the Help the Homeless Walk & 5K will be held at the Fair Park Band Shell.  Funds raised benefit The Bridge homeless assistance center.  It’s a great event for the entire family.  In addition to getting our daily exercise, there will be lots of fun, food and music.

• The North Texas Patriot Guard will lead off both the walk and run.
• The presentation of colors will be led by the 4^th Air Wing Honor Guard, Texas State Guard
• Slappy and Monday (from Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse fame) will be on hand…a great opportunity for the kids to say ‘hi’ to the affable clowns.
• Dallas’ favorite band, Emerald City, will be bringing us the toe tapping tunes.
• Great, free food samples from Tiff’s Treats (yummy cookies), Little Caesar’s, Community Coffee, Pepsi, Powerade, Clif Bars, and Frito Lay.
• Fun, interactive games, face painting and more!

Check out www.HelpTheHomelessDallas.org for more information!

Get a $5 discount, by using the code VETS.  Enter the code at Question #5 during registration.