Tag: code purple

Snow with a thermometer sticking out showing freezing temperatures

Caring For Our Neighbors In Extreme Cold

On By cmanneringIn 3B OutreachLeave a comment

When temperatures drop below freezing, a lot of us think about grabbing an extra blanket or turning up the heat. For people who are living outside or who are not stably housed, freezing weather can be life-threatening.

That is why 3B Brae’s Brown Bags partners with Code Purple emergency sanctuaries and warming stations, providing healthy “to go” bags that guests can take with them when they leave. We do this all year long, but we know that on nights with bitter wind and icy sidewalks, community care really matters.

This post is part story, part safety guide. We want to:

  • Explain how our to-go bags support people using warming stations and shelters
  • Share simple steps to keep volunteers and guests safe while packing and handing out bags
  • Highlight Delaware 2-1-1 as a key resource for anyone who needs help finding shelter or services
  • Go over the signs of hypothermia that many people do not realize are serious

What is a 3B “to go” bag?

Our to-go bags are meant to be simple, respectful, and useful. Depending on donations and season, a bag might include things like:

  • Healthy, shelf-stable snacks (granola bars, low-sodium crackers, nut or seed packs, fruit cups with pop tops, fruit snacks, popcorn, soft breakfast bars)
  • A bottle of water or a low-sugar drink
  • Resource information, such as Delaware 2-1-1 and local support services
  • Seasonal extras when possible, like hand warmers, a pair of socks, or lip balm

Emergency sanctuaries and warming stations often have a limited window of time that they are open. Guests may have to leave early in the morning and walk or wait outside again. A grab-and-go bag is one small way to say, “We see you, and we care about what happens when you step back out into the cold.”

Safety first when packing and handing out bags

We want kindness to be paired with good safety practices. That protects the people we serve and the volunteers who help. Here are some simple guidelines you can use when packing or distributing 3B-style bags with us or on your own.

Food safety

  • Choose shelf-stable foods
    Pick items that do not require refrigeration and that are safe at room temperature
  • Label anything with common allergens
    If your bags include peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, or gluten, label the outside of the bag or the item. A simple “Contains peanuts” can help someone keep themselves safe.

Health and hygiene for volunteers

  • Wash or sanitize hands before packing
    If you are packing a lot of bags at once, set up a handwashing station or keep hand sanitizer nearby and take quick breaks to use it.
  • Follow site rules
    Each sanctuary, warming station, or shelter will have its own safety rules. Please follow the directions of staff on site. They know their space and their guests.

Emotional and physical safety at distribution

  • Respect personal space
    Some guests have experienced trauma. Offer a bag with a smile, but do not insist if someone says “No, thank you.”
  • No photos without permission
    Being in a hard moment should not mean losing your privacy. Never take photos of guests without clear consent, and follow the site’s photo policy.
  • Use a buddy system
    Volunteers should work in pairs or groups, especially in the dark or in bad weather. Check in with each other and with staff if something feels off.

Kindness is powerful, and it is even more powerful when it is also careful and thoughtful.

Delaware 2-1-1: A lifeline for shelter and more

One of the best tools we have in Delaware is Delaware 2-1-1.

What is Delaware 2-1-1?
Delaware 2-1-1 is a free, confidential helpline that connects people to health and human services across the state. It can help with things like food assistance, emergency and transitional shelter, medical care, mental health support, utility help, clothing, and more.

How to reach Delaware 2-1-1:

  • Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Delaware
  • Text your zip code to 898211
  • Use live chat at delaware211.org

Delaware 2-1-1 is available 24/7 and offers multilingual support.

When Code Purple or other cold-weather alerts are in effect, 2-1-1 can help people find warming centers, emergency shelters, and related resources. State announcements often tell residents to call Delaware 2-1-1 to be connected with Code Purple locations and extra cold-weather beds.

If you are volunteering and someone asks, “Where can I go tonight?” or “Who can help me with rent or food?”, it is completely okay to say:

“You can call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. They can help you find shelter and other resources.”

You do not need to know every answer. You just need to know where to point people.

Hypothermia 101: Signs you should not ignore

Cold is not just uncomfortable. It can be dangerous. Hypothermia happens when a person’s core body temperature drops below 95°F, and it is a medical emergency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight these warning signs in adults:

  • Shivering
  • Feeling very tired or exhausted
  • Confusion or acting “not quite like themselves”
  • Fumbling hands or trouble doing simple tasks
  • Memory loss
  • Slurred speech
  • Drowsiness or trouble staying awake

For babies, the signs look different. Watch for:

  • Bright red, cold skin
  • Very low energy or being unusually quiet and still

If you see these signs in yourself or someone else:

  1. Call 911 right away if the person is confused, not responding, or very drowsy.
  2. Move the person to a warm, dry place if you can do so safely.
  3. Remove any wet clothing and cover with blankets, coats, or other warm layers.
  4. Offer warm drinks if the person is awake and can swallow, but do not give alcohol or very hot liquids.

Do not rub arms or legs hard to “warm them up.” That can sometimes cause more harm in serious cold-related injuries.

Frostbite is a concern, too.

People who have hypothermia often have frostbite too. Frostbite is damage to the skin and tissue from freezing temperatures. The CDC and other health agencies note symptoms like:

  • Numbness or tingling in fingers, toes, nose, ears, or cheeks
  • Skin that looks pale, grayish, or waxy
  • Skin that feels unusually firm or hard

If you suspect frostbite, follow medical advice from 911 or a health professional. In general, get the person to a warm place and, if possible, avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes.

How you can help

Here are a few simple ways to support your neighbors during extreme cold:

  • Volunteer to help pack to-go bags or deliver them to partner sites
  • Collect items like shelf-stable snacks, bottled water, new socks, and hand warmers
  • Learn Delaware 2-1-1 by heart so you can share it when someone needs help
  • Teach kids and students about food insecurity, empathy, and cold-weather safety in age-appropriate ways
  • Share information about hypothermia and warming centers on your social media or with your community group

At 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, we believe small acts of kindness can stack up into real change. A paper bag with snacks, a warm word at the door of a sanctuary, a phone number shared at the right time, all of that can help someone make it through a very cold night.

Thank you for being part of a community that shows up, especially when the temperature drops and the need rises.

Emergency sanctuary during winter

On By cmanneringIn 3B Outreach, AnnouncementsLeave a comment

Today is the first official “Code Purple” day that we have been notified of here in Northern Delaware. I’m sure there have been other “code” days of various colors across the country as the temperatures have dropped this winter. When these codes are activated we are available to provide our 3B Brae’s Brown Bags to locations upon their request. During the winter, our bags include healthy snacks, water, a page of resources and handwarmers.

When a Code Purple is called in Delaware, it means there are locations set up to offer emergency sanctuary to our addressless friends. The locations are usually open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. so that patrons can come in for dinner and have a warm place to sleep for the night. Depending on the location in Delaware, there are a variety of places to stay. The best way to find out which location is open on any given night is to call 2-1-1 on your phone or text your zip code to 898211. People in Delaware and Salem County (NJ) can use Delaware 2-1-1 to find information.

If you see someone on the street, please consider calling or texting the number above so you can provide the details of resources to those in need.

Effects of below freezing temps

Exposure to temperatures below freezing can have significant impacts on a person’s health. The human body’s response to cold weather includes cardiovascular stresses as it struggles to retain heat, which can lead to illnesses such as hypothermia. Vulnerable individuals, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, are more susceptible to adverse effects due to their reduced ability to regulate body temperature.

Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks, particularly for people with cardiovascular disease, as the body’s natural defense system causes blood vessels near the skin to contract, leading to increased strain on the heart.

Additionally, cold weather can be dangerous for those with respiratory diseases, as it can lead to an increased risk of conditions like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Symptoms of hypothermia

Symptoms of hypothermia can vary depending on the severity of the condition, but some common signs and symptoms, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include:

  • Shivering (in the early stages)
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Stiffness in the arms and legs
  • Bluish or pale skin
  • Weak pulse
  • Slow, shallow breathing

If you suspect someone is experiencing hypothermia, call 911 immediately. If it is safe for you to intervene while waiting for medical help to arrive, move the person to a warm place, remove any wet clothing, and cover them with blankets. If the person is conscious, give them warm fluids to drink.

How can you help?

During the winter, there are several ways to help the homeless and ensure they stay warm and healthy. Some of the most effective ways to provide assistance include:

  1. Donate Warm Clothing and Blankets: Homeless individuals need warm clothing such as coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and thermal socks to protect themselves from the cold.
  2. Create Winter Care Packages: Assembling care packages with essential items like non-perishable food, hygiene products, and warm clothing can make a significant difference in the lives of the homeless.
  3. Offer Warm Food: Providing warm meals can help combat the effects of cold weather, as the body requires more energy to stay warm during the winter.
  4. Donate Old Jackets, Gloves, and Socks: Donating old but still usable winter clothing items can provide much-needed warmth to those without shelter.
  5. Raise Awareness: Increasing awareness about homelessness during the winter can help build empathy and encourage support from the community.
  6. Volunteer: Volunteering at shelters or organizations that support the homeless can have a direct and positive impact on their well-being.

The winter months are nearing

On By cmanneringIn 3B Outreach1 Comment

An emergency sanctuary opens as temperatures fall below 32 degrees, when resources are available, in Delaware and across the country. Depending on your locations the alert is called something like “Code Purple” which is what we call it in Delaware. Other states may refer to this system as “Code Blue.” The sanctuary opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 6 a.m. which means our addressless neighbors have a place to sleep when the temperatures typically drop to their lowest point. However, during the day there are still few places available to get out of the bitter cold.

Brae’s Brown Bags provides “go-bags” to the patrons who stay overnight at emergency sancutaries. In addition to healthy food, we add winter weather clothing and hand warmers knowing that the person receiving the bag might not have shelter again until 6 p.m. the next day. If the temperatures are above 32 degrees, they may not have shelter at all.

If you see someone in need, please let them know where they can seek help. Not all homeless individuals prefer going to shelters, but an emergency sanctuary is temporary relief from the cold. If someone refuses to come in out of the cold, we provide socks, hats, scarves and gloves to help them retain as much body heat as possible. Our bodies create heat by metabolizing food and water, for our addressless friends this is a challenge as they do not always know where their next meal will come from.

Recognizing Cold-Related Emergencies:
• Moderate hypothermia – [core body temperature 82° F-90° F (28° C-32° C)]
• Severe hypothermia – [core body temperature < 82° F (< 28° C)]
• Shivering is lost and cooling is rapid.
• Hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, hypoxemia, aspiration pneumonia,
atelectasis progress to apnea, and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Pancreatitis, gastric erosions
• Hyperkalemia, hyperglycemia, lactic acidosis
• Rigidity progresses to rhabdomyolysis
• Hemoconcentration, hypercoagulability progress to disseminated intravascular coagulation, and bleeding
• Hyporeflexia, agitation, hallucination, dilated pupils progress to areflexia, coma, absent pupil responses
• Arrhythmia

For additional resources and locations of shelters or sanctuaries, Dial 2-1-1.
or text your Zip Code to 898-211.

Looking forward…

As you know, Braeden is always looking to enhance the kindness we see in the world. He has mentioned that it would be nice if locations were able to offer a place to wash up and clean laundry. If you know of a way we can initiate this idea please leave a comment below.

Record breaking frigid temperatures

On By cmanneringIn 3B Outreach, Real LifeLeave a comment

dyav-wowsaadcyfWhat are they calling it? An arctic vortex? I don’t know what it is, I’m not a meteorologist, but it’s cold, it’s really cold. And it’s not just here in Delaware. Birmingham, Alabama got snow yesterday! The wind chill is -65 degrees in parts of the midwest. Even New Orleans, Louisiana is opening shelters for the homeless to keep them out of the cold, they call it their Citywide Freeze Plan. Cold, scary times.

While Delaware isn’t getting the snow and isn’t currently -50 degrees, it is still wicked cold and our hearts go out to all of our addressless friends who are struggling.

In Delaware, when the temperatures are frigid it is called a Code Purple. Essentially what this means is that emergency sanctuary locations will open for the homeless to stay overnight. The locations are typically open from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. and patrons receive a meal for dinner, our 3B bags when they leave and a bus ticket. It’s not enough, but it’s something and it’s currently all we can do. There are not enough shelters to hold all of our homeless.

An addressless man sitting on a yellow plastic bag in the snow.The emergency sanctuary locations are not homeless shelters. So when they open their doors, they are equipped with volunteers offer. The consistently awesome thing about Delawareans is that they are givers. I am humbled each and every day when I drop off 3B bags and see all of the kind people helping others. I am so grateful.

If you are unable to volunteer, please consider packing a bag of healthy food, water, chap stick, hand warmers, socks and hats and leaving it in your car. If you see someone  in need, then you will have something to give them. Please also consider calling 2-1-1 to find out where the nearest emergency sanctuary or shelter is located. There are often shuttles who will pick up the homeless and take them to the location. Local police will also take them to a shelter.

If you know people who need help and would like us to see what we can do please send an email. We will do our best. We hope you will as well.

Related News

Cold snaps can be death sentences for the homeless

On By cmanneringIn Announcements1 Comment

We recently read an article “Cold comfort: U.S. homeless shelters overwhelmed in brutal weather,” which shared how overwhelmed shelters are and not just in the US. For example, homeless are dying in places typically known for their warmth, like Texas.

Homelessness is on the rise in the United States, according to federal survey data released last month, which said 553,742 people lacked homes on a given night in 2017.

What most people probably are not aware of is that homelessness is very, very undercounted. In Delaware, for example, there is only one night a year in which the number of people on the streets are counted. This one night is called Point In Time (PIT). I don’t know if this is true across the country, but it is quite unnerving. Many homeless are transient, many homeless are not necessarily roofless. Many homeless youth are trafficked, receiving shelter for sex, yes even here in little ol’ Delaware. They will not appear in the head count of homeless people in the state. Hearing the number has grown nationwide, and yet is still significantly lower than actuality, well I find that unnerving.

The 2015 PIT Count in Delaware was conducted January 29, 2015. These people can be in shelters, motels paid by voucher or wandering the streets. On that date, 950 people were homeless in Delaware. Now this is what I know, the school district in which we live has a homelessness advocate who reported that their schools were dealing with 840 homeless families. How can one school district have 840 homeless families and yet the state’s PIT says there are 950 people homeless?

snowstormBack to cold spells… if we’re under counting, it makes sense that our shelters have waiting lists and are overwhelmed, right? Something to give thought, I suppose. Nobody should be left in the cold. When we provide people on the street with our 3B bags we include the names, locations and numbers to multiple shelters. We also let them know if it is a “code purple” night which means emergency sanctuary shelters are open to help them.

I think more needs to be done to understand this issue. We are helping with nutritional security and spreading awareness, but while the data is inaccurate, the respources given to foundations assisting will continue to be very low.

Happy First Day of Spring

On By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life2 Comments

Before we get into the highlights of what has happened since our last update we want to make sure you have all registered for the Coming Together Hunger Conference. We are co-hosting with the Food Bank of Delaware and are SUPER excited about this year’s event! We are anticipating nearly 200 students to attend for the Kid Track, but we are hoping all of you will attend on the adult side. Don’t worry, even the adults will have a chance to see what the kids are doing throughout the day.

Coming Together will feature both an adult track and kids’ track, with opportunities for both groups to come together to identify solutions to issues related to hunger.

I promise you that you will leave feeling inspired and you will learn something. Plus I would like to see you out, because you know we can only end hunger if we do it together.

Okay so what have we been up to since our last post. A LOT! You know we say that every time. Haha.

There have been a few code purples called in Delaware. We thought our winter had been mild and really it has been but the last couple weeks of winter went out in style bringing us frigid temperatures snow and even an ice storm! It was beautiful, but it was also really bad news for my friends without addresses.

We had a table at the 1st Annual Christina School District Family Resource Fair which was a big success. Many people came out to see what the community has to offer and we heard that the New Castle County library exhibit handed out over 100 new library cards to people! That is VERY COOL! I couldn’t be there for the event so my family helped out. My brother and sister, Finn and Amelia, they set up the table and they were happy to be able to support 3B. Plus they got to eat pretzels and have their face painted!

Town Square Delaware wrote an article about me. Ms. Christy Fleming came to visit me at my house and she interviewed me. It was nice to meet her and I appreciate that she wanted to know more about Brae’s Brown Bags. Ms. Fleming’s article shares how 3B has grown, “3B Brae’s Brown Bags helps get healthy snacks to the homeless and the needy. But it takes lots of time and coordination, and Brae now also counts on donations by schoolmates and others who read his blog because the charity has gotten so big.”

I was able to be a speaker at the annual Delaware FFA Convention earlier this month. It was nice to see a room full of students who care about agriculture and who realize that food insecurity is a solvable problem. They packed almost 500 bags of healthy food for people in need. We brought some home and the rest remained in the Kent County area to help any shelters who might needs extra supplies.

I found out that I am  a recipient of a 2017 Sodexo Foundation – STOP Hunger Youth Grant! This makes me very happy because it helps to keep 3B sustainable, but it also helps to show other kids that there are organizations out there who believe in them and believe that we are change makers. The Sodexo Foundation and STOP Hunger are empowering, they not only want to help end hunger but they also want to get kids involved and I am glad I can be one of those champions.

Last but definitely not least. I took a trip with my Mom up to New York to attend the Jefferson Awards Foundation annual gala at Gotham Hall. Yes, it sounds like something right out of Batman and yes I do think that is really cool. It was super fancy. There were a lot of incredible people there and all of them believe in public service, it was super inspiring to be a part of the event. I feel very honored that I was able to receive an activation award (Newark Post) on the same stage as Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez and the great musician/social activist Harry Belafonte. Plus, I encourage all of you to look into the national LEAD360 winner for 2017! Her name is Emma Stumpf and she creates art kits to give to patients in children’s hospitals. She knows what it is like to be stuck in the walls of a hospital for long periods of time as she is fighting cancer and has been for many years. I didn’t get to meet her at the event because she was in the hospital having just come through her 17th brain surgery. She is definitely a huge inspiration! I hope you are willing to help her activate this project and help it to put smiles on the faces of kids across the country. I think it will be fun to help her with this project!

MLK Day is a National Day of Service #MLKDay

On By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real LifeLeave a comment

martin-luther-king-jr-day-a-day-on-not-a-day-offToday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and so it only makes sense that it is also a National Day of Service. Martin Luther King, Jr. did so much every day of his life to help others reach equality. I’d like to think on a smaller level I’m trying to help people be more equal, too. I think we should all have equal access to healthy food. It shouldn’t matter how much money you make, you should be able to eat healthy and live healthy.

So on this day of service my friends at the Jefferson Awards Foundation packed 58 bags which will be delivered to Friendship House’s Women’s Shelter on 7th & Orange Streets in Wilmington, Delaware. I’m very grateful to them, especially Michele Fidance who set it all up.

Then I got a chance to meet some teen leaders at the Boys & Girls Club Greater Newark. Ms. Amber invited me and my family to participate in their day of service. I brought some bags with me (18 to be exact) and we stopped by a few fire stations and by the troop 2 state police station. We thanked the fire fighters and officers for their service. I gave them bags to have on hand in case they meet someone in need. My brother and sister were excited to be part of this and they colored pictures to give them. My sister was especially happy to sit in a fire truck! She said, “Mom am I going to go save people now?”

So it was a day off of school but a day ON for service. We’ve prepared 25 more bags for a code purple tonight hosted at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. There was one last night, too, at Holy Family Church and my Mom delivered for me solo because I wasn’t home yet from my weekend with my dad.

Happy New Year – 2016 will be awesome

On By BraedenIn 3B Outreach1 Comment

We’re almost a week into the New Year and things are already going well. We really have some of the best helpers and supporters. I hope all of you had a great holiday. We did. I got some new games for my computer that I really like and some new clothes. My Mom made some really yummy cookies, like a lot of chocolate chip cookies! And we got to see all our family even by Uncle Greg and Aunt Kristin came home from Texas and Michigan.

3b-christmaseve
Me with my brother, sister and Mom on Christmas Eve at Calvary Baptist

On Christmas Eve my family and I brought our 3B bags to Calvary Baptist Church in Newark. They opened their doors for the night so homeless patrons could spend the night there if needed. When we got there to drop off our bags and a generous supply of handmade warm winter clothing we were amazed by all the donations they had from other community members. You guys are all so awesome!

codepurpleThe temperatures have dropped now in January and two code purple nights were called so far. We were able to supply bags for the patrons who attended the code purples in Newark, Delaware. Along with the healthy snacks supplied we were also able to supply socks and handwarmers in every bag! We want to thank the Friendship House, the Newark United Methodist Church and the NewArk UCC and all of their selfless volunteers who were able to organize these nights when the temperatures dropped.

Everyone across the nation can call 2-1-1 if they ever need support or information about where they can seek shelter. Please if you see someone on the street in need, especially when it’s freezing out, call 2-1-1 for them and see where they can go for help.

circleoffriends
Circle of Friends home daycare packing bags

My Gram has a daycare called Circle of Friends and the kids who go there are like family. Their parents were happy to have their kids participate in an act of kindness service morning by packing bags. Each child had their own special job. This is really cool because you can be 2 years old and make BIG differences in helping to feed the hungry.

exceptionaldelawareOn December 31 a blog called Exceptional Delaware posted an article about me and Brae’s Brown Bags and named me “Exceptional Delaware’s 2015 Hero Of The Year.” The author, Mr. Kevin Ohlandt, said such great things about what we are doing. The article made my Mom AND my Gram cry. Happy tears.

Mr. Ohlandt wrote, “Braeden’s story is amazing.  I agree with his mother that he is an old soul.  But he is also a new soul.  He is a pre-teen, not even in high school yet, who has a passion for those less fortunate.  It is enough to make a huge difference.  Braeden is a unique soul in Delaware.  He gives and gives and expects nothing in return.  The fact that he can help those who have less is a comfort for him.”

We have big things coming up this year. More 3B Ripple student chapters will be launching, more bag packing events, conferences, leadership events with the Boys & Girls Club and more. It’s going to be a great 2016 thanks to all of you!

The weather has been SUBZERO cold

On By BraedenIn 3B Outreach1 Comment

My mom told me this morning that if I didn’t wear layers and dress properly the cold weather would hurt my skin. Of course I didn’t believe her because when I went outside I wasn’t cold. But then she told me it was because I was dressed right. Moms!

imagesIt’s really cold. Like, really, really cold. The app on my phone said it was 2 degrees but with the wind it felt like -18 degrees.

We have been packing up 3B bags for the emergency shelters. I wish there was more I could do. I put hand warmers in the bags but that won’t help when it is this cold, at least not a lot. The Friendship House says, “Over the last two winters, the number of people seeking sanctuary on bitterly cold nights has dramatically grown and become more diverse.” You can donate to the Friendship House to help or you can volunteer.  For a current list and donation drop off options call 302-652-8133 for the Friendship House. You can also donate to 3B, we’ve been running out of hand warmers and food and buying them multiple times each week.

So a couple things to talk about. I don’t have school today because it is President’s Day but that doesn’t mean I won’t be busy.

This is me with Danielle Gletow
This is me with Danielle Gletow

Last weekend, my Mom and me, we went to Atlanta, Georgia for the Kids Are Heroes Youth Leadership Summit. I had a good time. I met a lot of people. Even a boy from India. There were hundreds of kids there all doing cool things. Some of them are business type things, like this boy who has an ice cream cart and sells ice cream. A lot of the people I talked with all do things like help to fight against bullying or helping to raise money for malaria or cancer or down syndrome. Oh and Danielle Gletow who is a CNN Hero and she helps grant wishes to foster kids with her foundation called One Simple Wish.

The airport lost my presentation. Luckily our hotel was near an Office Max. My Mom and me worked on creating a new tri-fold until 10pm the night before I was to present. I got green glitter everywhere. Really.

I gave a talk during the summit and I think I did well. My Mom recorded some of it. You can watch or listen on my YouTube page. There are some pictures too at the bottom of this post.

Also my project is one of the top 15 up for a national #LEAD360 Jefferson Award. Very exciting! There has been social voting where you can support Brae’s Brown Bags and the voting ends tonight at 8pm. Please vote for Brae’s Brown Bags 🙂

Then tonight I’m giving a presentation at the University of Delaware to the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. My Mom has class so she won’t be there but she’ll be in the same building. I think I’ll do good though. I like the students at UD they are always really nice.

We have a meeting with the Food Bank of Delaware on Wednesday about the upcoming regional hunger conference. We’re going to talk about the kid track. My friend Tanya Steel will be on the call. I am happy about that.

Food recovery, hunger conferences and summits

On By BraedenIn Real Life2 Comments

Conference-Save-the-Date-2015My Mom and me met with people from the Food Bank on Thursday to talk a little bit more about the conference we’re all planning together. We have some more ideas on how to move forward and who to to invite. I would really like to invite Mario Batali and Gabby Douglas. I’m also going to work on creating a video invitation to send to the Kid President. I’ll let you know when I get it put together.

Then on Friday we met with Richard Rind, Director of Auxiliary Services at the University of Delaware and Sue Bogan who is the Director of Dining Services. My friend Jessica Stump joined us and so did Senator Bethany Hall-Long. We were meeting again to talk about how the University of Delaware should try and recover some food around campus to give to people in need. It isn’t really the dining halls, it’s the other food locations like Einstein Bagels or Starbucks who might have leftover food at the end of the day which, if not recovered, would be wasted. I’m hoping we can get the food to places who will be able to use it. It sounds like UD will be willing to work with me and my Mom, but we need a place to accept the food on a regular basis, and that seems to be the problem right now.

My Mom and me are flying to Atlanta, Georgia on Friday. I just know I will have a lot to share about the Kids Are Heroes Young Leaders’ Summit I’m attending. I am happy I’ll get to meet new people and share with them what I am doing with Brae’s Brown Bags and learn what they are doing in their communities. I can’t wait to meet the other “kid heroes.”

Fusion_LOGOOoooo and Fusion Fitness in Newark, DE is doing a fundraiser for Brae’s Brown Bags. I’m so happy they want to help out and also encourage people to not only be change makers in life but also to live healthy! They have held fundraisers for several different community organizations. Thank you Fusion Fitness!

And it has been SO COLD here in Delaware. I think it was 18 degrees this morning when we woke up for school and that wasn’t with the wind chill. There have been 15 or 16 code purples which means the nights are below 20 degrees. Really nice people volunteer to host sanctuary at their churches to allow people to come in out of the cold. I have been trying to get my 3B bags to these hosting sites as often as I can. It’s hard though sometimes I don’t have bags packed in time. I hope people like them when they get them and that they are helpful. Which reminds me, I need to tell my Mom we’re out of hand warmers. Again.