Tag: food insecurity

Honoring Hunger Fighters Who Inspire Us All

Black History Month: Honoring Hunger Fighters Who Inspire Us All

On By cmanneringIn Real LifeLeave a comment

We think Black History Month is not only about the past. It is also about the Black leaders right now who are building a world where everyone eats with dignity.

This year, we chose to highlight a handful of Black-led and youth-led groups in our region whose work lines up with our own mission: getting good food to people who need it, treating everyone with respect, and showing that you are never too young (or too small) to make a difference.

Our spotlight list stretches from Philadelphia and Chester to Baltimore and Brooklyn, and then comes right back home to Wilmington and Newark. These are neighbors in our wider community, all fighting hunger in creative and courageous ways.

Below is the article version of what we are sharing on social media all month long. Feel free to explore their work, follow them, and use their stories as fuel for your own.

Everybody Eats: Chefs Turning A Food Hall Into A Hunger Solution

Everybody Eats Foundation grew out of a group of Black chefs who refused to watch their neighbors go hungry. They started by hosting pop-up events in parking lots and neighborhoods, serving chef-cooked meals to people facing food insecurity and homelessness around Philly.

Their work eventually found a home at a collaborative space in Chester, where the movement set up inside a food hall and later launched Everybody Eats Cafe, a Black-owned cafe feeding local families and reinvesting back into their nonprofit mission. The idea is simple: use a business that sells great food to help fund work that gives great food away.

Why we are lifting them up:

  • They show how professional skills in the kitchen can become a powerful tool to fight hunger.
  • They treat community members like guests, not charity cases.
  • They are close by in Chester, which makes them feel like cousins to us here in Delaware.

For our 3B kids and supporters, Everybody Eats is a reminder that you can take something you love, like cooking, and aim it straight at a real problem.

Youth Food Security Network: Teens Leading An Online Food Pantry

Youth Food Security Network (YFSN) is exactly what it sounds like: a group of young people in Baltimore who decided they were not going to wait for adults to fix teen hunger.

Working with HeartSmiles and No Kid Hungry, they launched a youth-led virtual food pantry. Teen leaders like Autumn, Don, and Mya helped design surveys, pick grocery items, and get funding so that families could order food that fits their culture and needs and have it delivered right to their door.

Why we are lifting them up:

  • They prove that teenagers can design serious, thoughtful solutions to food insecurity.
  • They are honest about their own experiences with hunger and use that lived knowledge as expertise.
  • They remind our 3B crew that if you understand a problem, you are allowed to lead the way in solving it.

When we talk to students, we love pointing to YFSN and saying, “Look, this is what happens when young people are trusted with real responsibility.”

The Campaign Against Hunger: From One Mom To Millions Of Meals

In The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH), we see what long-term, Black-led food justice looks like.

More than twenty years ago, Dr. Melony Samuels responded to one mom in her Brooklyn church who was trying to feed four children. That church pantry grew into a full community program serving 50 families. Today, TCAH is one of New York City’s major food access organizations, providing tens of millions of nutritious meals through pantries, farms, mobile markets, and benefits support.

In 2024, Dr. Samuels was formally recognized as CEO and Founder of TCAH, honoring her decades of leadership in food and health equity in New York.

Why we are lifting them up:

  • Their story shows how something very small and local can grow over time into a life-changing safety net.
  • They combine emergency food with deeper advocacy, asking why so many families need food lines in the first place.
  • As a Black woman-led effort, they are a powerful example for kids who want to connect service with systems change.

For our 3B community, TCAH is a reminder that handing someone a bag of food is important, and so is fighting for a world where that bag is not needed.

Black Mothers In Power: Feeding The Village While Fighting For Maternal Justice

Black Mothers in Power (BMIP) is a Delaware-based group that focuses on Black maternal health and justice. Part of that work is making sure Black mothers and families have consistent access to healthy food.

At their BMIP Center in Wilmington, they run:

  • A 24/7 community fridge where anyone can take what they need, no questions asked.
  • A Relief Fund & Food Program that provides groceries, baby food, and essentials for families who are struggling.

Why we are lifting them up:

  • They connect food to maternal health, showing that caring for moms means feeding the whole family.
  • They are right here in our own state, so their work feels very close to home.
  • Their community fridge is a concrete example of neighbors sharing with neighbors in a way that protects dignity.

As a Delaware nonprofit, we are proud to stand alongside BMIP and point young people toward their model of Black women-led, community-rooted care.

Humbly Assisting Humanity: Fighting Hunger One Meal At A Time

Humbly Assisting Humanity (HAH) is another Delaware effort we love. Founded by Shantel Love and her family, HAH has a clear mission: eliminate disparities in hunger by providing food, essentials, and resources to underserved neighbors across our state.

They have served thousands of meals in Newark and Wilmington through community cookouts, monthly outreach, and events such as “Pancakes & PJs,” which wrap families in comfort and care. Their fundraising materials say it plainly: every gift helps put food on the table one meal and one act of kindness at a time.

Why we are lifting them up:

  • They are a family-founded, Black-led organization, much like 3B, which started from a kid and his family wanting to help.
  • They mix joy and fun with serious work, showing that justice can take the form of pancakes and smiles.
  • They focus on eliminating disparities, not just filling plates, which matches our belief that every community deserves the same chance to thrive.

We see HAH as proof that a small team of committed neighbors truly can move the needle on hunger right where they live.

Free Food For All Delaware: Dignity, Culture, And Chef Made Meals

Free Food For All Delaware (FFFA) was created by Chef Jamilah Abdullah after she experienced traditional food assistance that felt low quality and disconnected from her communitys needs.

Instead of accepting that, she started hosting free community meals that are farm fresh, Halal, and culturally grounded. FFFA serves restaurant style dishes at no cost, often in partnership with local farms and markets, and sometimes fills community fridges with extra portions so nothing is wasted.

Why we are lifting them up:

  • They show that people who are hungry deserve beautiful, thoughtfully prepared food, not just leftovers.
  • They name and challenge “food apartheid” and food deserts, especially in Black communities.
  • They model mutual aid, where everyone gives and receives over time, which is a powerful lesson for young volunteers.

For kids in 3B, FFFA sends a clear message: food is about respect and community, not only survival.

Why These Stories Matter For 3B

So why did we choose these particular groups for Black History Month? A few reasons:

  • They are Black-led or youth-led. Black leadership in food justice has always been vital, and these groups are carrying that history forward in the present.
  • They are close enough to feel real. From Chester and Philly to Baltimore, Brooklyn, Wilmington, and Newark, these are places our kids know and visit.
  • They represent many different ways to fight hunger. Chefs, moms, teens, pastors, families, mutual aid crews, and big nonprofits are all part of this picture.

For us at 3B, Black History Month is an invitation to honor this leadership and to ask, gently but clearly:

What part can I play?

How You Can Get Involved, At Any Age

Here are a few simple ideas you can try after reading about these amazing groups:

  • Follow and share. Follow these organizations on social media, like their posts, and share their work with your friends and family. Awareness really does matter.
  • Support if you are able. If your family or school can donate, even a little, consider giving to one of these groups as a Black History Month action.
  • Volunteer locally. Look for chances to help right here in Delaware, including with community fridges, food drives, or events run by the groups above.
  • Start something small. You do not have to build a giant nonprofit to make a difference. A class snack shelf, a school garden, a mini pantry at your church, or packing bags with us can all be powerful.

The hunger fighters we are spotlighting this month are proof that caring about people and taking one brave step can turn into something much bigger over time.

From our little corner at 3B, we are grateful to learn from them, cheer them on, and invite you to join in. Black history is being written in food lines, community fridges, and crowded kitchens every single day. You are very welcome to be part of it.

Do more 24 Delaware 2026

Counting Down for Do More 24 Delaware 2026

On By cmanneringIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

We are excited to share that 3B Brae’s Brown Bags is once again participating in Do More 24 Delaware, a statewide day of giving that brings neighbors, nonprofits, and whole communities together to do a little more good in just 24 hours.

As a Delaware-based nonprofit that delivers healthy food and simple essentials to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, this day means a lot to us. Do More 24 helps small, volunteer-driven groups like 3B stretch every single dollar a little bit further.

When it is happening

Mark your calendars: Do More 24 Delaware runs from 6 p.m. on March 5 through 6 p.m. on March 6.

For those 24 hours, we are asking you to “do more” with us by:

  • Making an online gift to 3B Brae’s Brown Bags through the Do More 24 Delaware platform
  • Sharing our fundraising page with friends, family, coworkers, and classmates
  • Cheering us on as we work toward our goal during the giving day

Here is the 3B Brae’s Brown Bag direct link, you can sign up to get a reminder right on this dashboard.

What Do More 24 Delaware is all about

Do More 24 Delaware's Giving Day will be March 5 through March 6

Do More 24 Delaware is like a big statewide kindness challenge. For one full day, people all over Delaware choose causes they care about and give what they can online.

It is not just about raising money. It is also about:

  • Learning what different nonprofits are doing in our state
  • Seeing how many people care about their neighbors
  • Showing kids and teens that their community is full of helpers

For 3B, this is a special chance to talk about hunger and homelessness in a way that is honest, compassionate, and never judgmental. We know that anyone can struggle, and everyone deserves respect, dignity, and something good to eat.

How your Do More 24 support helps 3B

When you give to 3B during Do More 24 Delaware, you are helping us:

  • Pack and share 3B bags filled with healthy snacks, water, and resource information for people who are hungry or experiencing homelessness
  • Provide simple to-go bags for Code Purple or Code Orange emergency sanctuaries and other local partners
  • Visit schools and youth groups to talk with students about food insecurity, kindness, and community service
  • Put real tools in kids hands so they can be part of the solution, not just hear about the problem

Your gift, no matter the size, turns into a real bag, a real conversation, and a real moment of hope for someone right here in Delaware.

Ways to get involved

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more about how you can join in, including:

  • The link to our official Do More 24 Delaware fundraising page
  • Ideas for classrooms, clubs, and families who want to support 3B together
  • Social media graphics and posts you can share to spread the word
  • Fun updates as we get closer to March 5 and 6

If you are a teacher, a student, a parent, or part of a community group that wants to connect Do More 24 with a bag packing project or a service lesson, we would love that. Keep an eye out for ways to team up with us.

Thank you for doing more with us

We know there are many great causes to support during Do More 24 Delaware, and we are truly grateful that you would consider 3B Brae’s Brown Bags as one of them.

Thank you in advance for your support, for believing that kids can lead, and for helping us make sure that more of our neighbors have something good to eat, something helpful in their hands, and a reminder that someone cares.

Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to do more with 3B on March 5 and 6!

In 2026, Let Action Be Our Kindness

On By cmanneringIn Real LifeLeave a comment

Every New Year comes with a lot of big words.
Resolutions. Promises. Inspirational quotes. Long posts about how this year will finally be different.

Words can be wonderful. They can encourage, comfort, and inspire. At 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, we are grateful for every kind comment, every supportive message, and every thoughtful conversation about hunger and homelessness.

But in 2026, we want to lean into something even stronger than kind words.

We want action to be our kindness.

Words are a start, but they are not the finish

Saying “no one should go hungry” is important.
Believing “everyone deserves a warm, safe place” really matters.

But for a person who is cold tonight or wondering where their next meal will come from, what they feel most is not our opinions. They feel what we actually do.

That is why 3B exists.

3B Brae’s Brown Bags started with one kid who wanted to hand healthy food, water, and simple supplies directly to people who needed them. A bag with a snack, a drink, and a note is not a speech. It is not a policy paper. It is a small act that says, “You matter. Someone sees you.”

In 2026, we are choosing:

  • Action over applause
  • Movement over rhetoric
  • Connection over judgment

Because change does not happen in a comment section. It happens when someone has the energy to get through the day because they ate. It happens when someone feels a little less invisible because a stranger stopped, listened, and cared.

Everyone is battling something

One of our core beliefs is simple: every person you see is battling something.

Some battles are easy to spot.
You can see the backpack that is actually holding everything someone owns.
You can see the shivering hands without gloves.
You can see the person sleeping on a bench.

Other battles are quieter.
Anxiety. Grief. Illness. Job loss. Addiction. Loneliness.

We do not always know a person’s story. We do not need to. What we do need is a starting point of compassion, not judgment.

When we pack brown bags, deliver healthy food, or offer a warm coat or blanket, we are not “saving” anyone. We are simply being good neighbors to people who are carrying heavy things.

What “neighbor” means to us

At 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, when we say “neighbor,” we do not just mean the person in the house next door.

Neighbor means:

  • The person waiting at the bus stop with a cart of belongings
  • The family living in a motel trying to stretch every dollar
  • The kid at school who is always extra hungry by lunchtime
  • The person you drive past downtown without making eye contact

We believe every person is our neighbor.
And neighbors deserve:

  • Healthy food
  • Warmth and basic supplies
  • Respect, dignity, and compassion

Food is not a luxury. Warmth is not a privilege. These are basic human needs.

How you can turn kindness into movement in 2026

You do not need a big budget or a big platform to make a real difference. You just need a willingness to act.

Here are a few ways to turn kind thoughts into kind movement this year:

  • Pack a 3B style bag
    Include a bottle of water, a healthy snack, maybe a piece of fruit, and a kind note. Keep a couple in your car or backpack to hand out when you see someone who might need it. If you would like to see our 3B insert shoot us an email at christy@braesbrownbags.org.
  • Host a drive at school or work
    Collect snack items, water, travel-sized toiletries, socks, and gloves. Turn it into a classroom or team project that teaches empathy in a hands-on way.
  • Share warmth
    Go through your winter gear. If you have extra coats, hats, scarves, or blankets, donate them. A single warm item can make a huge difference on a freezing night.
  • Choose eye contact and conversation
    A simple “Hi, how are you doing today?” can mean so much. Being seen and spoken to with respect is a powerful kind of care.
  • Support organizations doing the work
    Whether it is 3B or another local group, your time, donations, and encouragement help keep these efforts going all year long, not just during the holidays.

Thank you for walking with us

In 2026, we are not trying to be perfect. We are just trying to be present.

To everyone who has packed a bag, donated a snack, handed out water, invited Braeden to speak at a school, or simply talked with kids about food insecurity and kindness, thank you. You are part of this movement.

Our hope for this year is simple:

That more people are fed.
That more neighbors feel warmth.
That more of us choose action over applause, movement over rhetoric, and love that can actually be felt.

We are all battling something.
Let’s make sure that hunger and cold are not battles anyone has to face alone.

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.

Hands passing a box of food

How U.S. Hunger Is Using Data, Storytelling and Technology To Rethink Hunger in America

On By cmanneringIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

A recent Forbes profile of U.S. Hunger shines a light on a national nonprofit that is reimagining how we talk about and respond to hunger in America. Instead of only counting how many meals are given out, they are asking a deeper question: Why are people running out of food in the first place, and what can we learn from their stories to create real, long-term change?

Listening to the people who ask for help

U.S. Hunger operates Full Cart, an online program that allows households to request food assistance and have healthy groceries delivered to their door. Along the way, people are invited to share what is going on in their lives. They can talk about work, income, health, caregiving, school, and the everyday pressures that brought them to this moment.

That information is not treated as a form to get through. It is treated as a conversation. A chance to listen. An opportunity to recognize that every request for food comes from a real person with a real story.

Over time, U.S. Hunger has built a large national dataset that connects numbers with lived experience. In their recent report, “When Making a Living No Longer Covers the Cost of Living,” they describe a growing group they call the “newly vulnerable.” These are families where people are working and often have health insurance, yet they still cannot reliably afford food and are just one missed paycheck away from crisis.

Turning stories into insight, with care

One of the innovations highlighted in the Forbes article is Voices: Unpacked. It is a public platform that shares anonymized stories from people who have requested food support and invites all of us to really see the human reality behind the statistics.

The idea is to pull back the curtain on hunger. To show that food insecurity is often quiet and hidden in plain sight, in every kind of community across the United States.

The stories shared through Voices: Unpacked and other channels lift up dignity and resilience. They show parents, grandparents, caregivers, and people living with chronic illness making impossible choices so their loved ones can eat. The data behind those stories helps identify patterns and root causes. The stories make sure we remember that we are always talking about people, not just charts and graphs.

Where food, health, and privacy meet

Many of the households who reach out to U.S. Hunger report that they have health insurance or serious medical needs. That has led the organization to work more closely with health-focused partners who see food as a key part of whole-person care.

To do that well, they are investing in strong data privacy and security and working to meet healthcare-level standards. That way, sensitive information can be treated with the same care and respect as a medical record.

This kind of bridge between food assistance and health care helps reframe hunger as a social and health issue, not a personal failure. It also opens doors. Doctors, health plans, employers, schools, and community groups can all play a more active role in preventing hunger instead of only responding in emergencies.

Why this matters to us

For organizations like 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, this approach is a powerful reminder. Every snack bag, backpack, or grocery box is part of a larger story. A child who is not distracted by hunger at school. A parent who can breathe a little easier tonight. A person who feels seen and not forgotten.

When we combine compassion, good data, and the honest voices of the people we serve, we can do more than fill stomachs for a day. We can help build a future where no one has to choose between paying bills and eating, and where communities come together so everyone is fed with dignity.

Braeden Mannering speaking to a group of students in an auditorium

Thank You for Supporting 3B Brae’s Brown Bags This Giving Tuesday

On By cmanneringIn 3B OutreachLeave a comment

We are incredibly grateful to share that 3B Brae’s Brown Bags has raised $286 so far this Giving Tuesday!
To every person who donated, shared our mission, or took a moment to support our work, thank you. Your generosity helps us continue providing essential items, encouragement, and dignity to individuals facing food insecurity and homelessness.

Every dollar truly makes a difference. Our bags offer healthy snacks, water, resources, and seasonal items like hand warmers during the cold months—small but meaningful supports that remind our neighbors they are seen and cared for.

We’re getting close to our $500 Giving Tuesday goal, and there’s still time to help us get there.
If you haven’t had a chance to give yet and would like to be part of today’s impact, your contribution—no matter the size, helps us continue this mission built on kindness and compassion.

Thank you for believing in 3B and the work we do. Together, we can keep showing up for those who need it most.
Let’s finish strong!

💛 Every act of giving brings hope.

World Mental Health Day and Food Security

Hunger and Mental Health

On By cmanneringIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

As we observe World Mental Health Day, it’s essential to recognize the intricate link between mental health and food security. At 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, we understand that hunger is not just a physical challenge; it profoundly affects emotional well-being.

The Connection Between Hunger and Mental Health

Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life, impacts millions across the globe. The stress and anxiety stemming from uncertainty about where the next meal will come from can lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, and low self-esteem. Research shows that individuals facing food insecurity are more likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

This is something we are very familiar with because there was a long period of time when Braeden struggled with food avoidance while dealing with depression during the pandemic. This became a vicious cycle that caused years of pain and heartache for our family. Seeing him become someone else because his body was malnourished was devastating. We know how important it is to have nutritional security.

Access to nutritious food is crucial for overall mental well-being. It not only nourishes the body but also enhances mood and cognitive function. When individuals have their basic needs met, they are better equipped to focus on self-care and pursue their goals.

Supporting Those Affected by Recent Disasters

Today, our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with those impacted by the recent hurricanes in Florida and the southern U.S. The devastation caused by these natural disasters has intensified the struggles many face, making it even more critical for us to come together as a community to support one another.For families already grappling with food insecurity, the aftermath of such events can be overwhelming. The stress of rebuilding lives while also ensuring access to food can exacerbate existing mental health challenges. At 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, we are committed to providing assistance to those in need during these trying times.

How You Can Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with hunger or mental health issues, please reach out for help. Our organization is dedicated to alleviating food insecurity in our community through various programs and partnerships. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s foster a healthier environment where everyone has access to nutritious food and the support they need for their mental well-being.

Join us in our mission to combat hunger and promote mental health awareness today! 💙

Bayer Crop Science, Agvocates & New Orleans

On By BraedenIn 3B Outreach1 Comment

bayer16-braeFirst I have an exercise for you. Say the word “Agvocate” three times fast.

And go.

Earlier this month I traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana with my Mom.

I was invited to be a speaker at the Bayer Crop Science Agvocacy Forum.

At first I didn’t think I would make it because I got really sick. But they were all so nice and they changed my flight and it ended up all working out. So thank you to Charleston|Orwig for your help with the travel stuff. I got to rest on the plane ride and our hotel room was very nice. The elevators were weird. The people at the Starbucks who gave me hot chocolate were awesome.

The room for the forum was filled with people all older than me, but we all had something in common. We were/are agvocates. To be honest at first I didn’t know why I was considered an agvocate because of Brae’s Brown Bags but then I realized what it means. I help feed people. I am an agovcate because I care about giving all people access to healthy food. I care about agriculture because without farmers I would have no food to give anybody. 56d71a73ae223.image

I learned A LOT at this forum. I learned about fungus killing cocoa trees, which by the way we need to get on fixing that problem because I LOVE CHOCOLATE.

I learned about how what farmers are doing and what crop producers are doing is very much science, it’s looking at things for ways to make them work better. We know that the world is one size but the amount of people on it keeps growing. We can’t push a button and add extra miles of Earth. It’s not like the dining room table at my Gram’s house which we can make longer when there is a party so we can fit more food. So how can we make sure we are growing enough food to feed the planet? Who answers these questions and how is it done? It’s not easy. In fact I learned that a lot of people argue about this topic. I did not know this before going to New Orleans but Mom said she knew but she is a Mom and Moms know things.

bloggerfriends
My new blogger friends 🙂

When it was my turn to talk I decided to first show my presentation. I changed it a little bit because I wanted to share about the food insecurity levels in New Orleans which are VERY high. Data shows that 38.4 percent of families with children in New Orleans say that they couldn’t afford enough food. Doesn’t that make you feel sad? I wanted to encourage everyone at the forum to stop ignoring people in need. I wanted them to know they are already helping with the work they are doing with agriculture but as neighbors in their communities they can be doing more.

There were breaks in between the sessions of people talking and when that happened I was interviewed by media. All of those people were really nice, too. I didn’t know so many people would want to talk with me but I had a lot of fun answering their questions. Even though sometimes I didn’t know what to say, but I tried my best.

Thank you for reading my update and HAPPY SPRING BREAK AND EASTER!

spring break

Helping to feed the hungry is a very important job

On By BraedenIn Announcements, Real Life1 Comment

My blog readers, I’m sorry, I have been waiting too long to write to you. I will work on this. I get busy. Many of you have asked if I am feeling better and I would like to say that I am. My cough is all gone and I’m back in school catching up on things.

Braeden Mannering with Mayor Polly Sierer at Jefferson Awards CeremonySince I wrote a lot has happened. The Jefferson Awards dinner award ceremony in Newark was held on April 30 at Home Grown. I couldn’t stay long because I still didn’t feel well but I did get to see a lot of other young people who live in the Newark area and who are doing really awesome things. I am very impressed by what everyone is doing and I would like to offer a very special thank you to the Mayor of Newark, Polly Sierer for choosing Brae’s Brown Bags as her top project. It really means a lot to me and I hope I can do more in Newark to help people in need.

“Everyone deserves someone who cares. Everyone deserves a friend and that’s easy to do. So pack up a brown bag before you go to work. That way if you see someone in need you will have something you can give them. One brown bag can make you a champion.” – Braeden Mannering

I had a Skype interview with STOP Hunger on May 1st. I think it went well. It was hard to remember to look into the web cam instead of into the computer monitor and the monitor kept showing up in my glasses. I had to take them off. I’ll tell you more about that soon. You’ll be getting a super awesome fun update about STOP Hunger and the Stephen J. Brady Foundation 🙂

But now the update you have all been waiting for…

DSC_0220The Coming Together: Community Response to Hunger Conference update!

Wow!

To say that they event was a success is an understatement. (Okay that’s my Mom talking, but it’s true). We had nearly 200 kids attend from all across Delaware. There were 500 people at the conference and for the morning we all were in the same room learning together. One of the most eye opening moments of the group during the morning was when a student spoke during the town hall session and asked the legislators on the panel what they could do to help her family. She explained that she and her brothers and sisters don’t have food to eat every day.

We know that 1 in 5 kids are hungry. We know those numbers. We talk about that statistic. The morning of the hunger conference the number turned into the face of a real little girl right there in the room. It made a lot of people stop and think. It made me stop and think. To the panelists who answered questions from all of the kids, I thank you very much. I know it meant a lot to all of them and I wish we had more time to answer everyone’s questions. State Senator Bryan Townsend, State Senator Colin Bonini and Charlie Copeland, State Committee Chairman Delaware GOP many thanks.

Multimedia Design Challenge Winners' Wall
Multimedia Design Challenge Winners’ Wall

We had many of the Multimedia Design Challenge winners in attendance. We hung up their posters and essay on a wall for everyone to see. They were very good and covered a bunch of different ideas about food waste, food insecurity and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Please check out the complete list of winners here.

We had a special video message from none other than the amazingly gifted Food Network Iron Chef and TV Host on The Chew, MARIO BATALI.

He said he was sad he couldn’t attend the conference but encouraged all the kids to continue raising awareness about food insecurity. He even congratulated me for coming up with the idea. Thank YOU Mario for sending us a video message, how cool is that!?

Most of the day was spent in a great big room called the Wilmington Room and this was the “Kid Track” of the conference. We had eight different activities which groups of students rotated through and participated in together. Most of the activities required a group effort. The Bear-Glasgow YMCA was there with their “Born to Move” program for youth fitness. The exercises were super fun! Even two Wilmington Police Officers joined in on the fun!

The Delaware Cooperative Extension Master Gardener’s taught kids about planting their own food, every kid left with a plant. Tanya Steel and Haile Thomas cooked healthy snacks for the kids at a healthy eating demo and taught them about how important it is for everyone to be able to eat healthy. My Gram and Pop took care of the 3B bag packing table and handed out shirts. My Grandmom Stephan and my friend Suzy from North DelaWHERE Happening worked with a Food Bank volunteer on the Money Pit activity. 11182304_957346807639319_5697334352616091189_nMy Mom and me came up with that idea. Here’s our description of the game. “In a timed, interactive game designed by Braeden Mannering, himself, students will team up to dive into a money pit (ball pit) finding index cards with food items on them and then racing back to their table to create a nutritional meal out of their cards for under $1.25. As of 2015 (2011 statistics), the World Bank has estimated that there were just over 1 billion poor people in developing countries who live on $1.25 a day or less.”

We also had volunteers Linda and Mike Jarrell facilitate a “Power of Words” activity where the kids wrote how they felt about certain hunger themed quotes. They wrote such cool things that we are going to turn it into a book and send it to the volunteer, legislators and schools who participated in the event. It’s going to be awesome! My Uncle Greg and volunteer Katie Hegedus worked on a “Rice Bowl” activity which taught kids about the 1 in 5 children are hungry statistic. Then my friend Jada Littman and two legislative aides from the State Senate helped kids draw pictures or write letters to share their feelings about food insecurity. The letters will be sent to the students representative in Dover, Delaware. We are still working on matching up the zipcodes of the kids to their representative.

I’d like to thank Juan Castellanos, our photographer, the Food Bank of Delaware, the Food Research Action Center and Bank of America along with Senator Townsend and Jessica Stump for all their hard work in helping to plan this great event.

Now for some photos!