This morning, I witnessed two acts of kindness at a cafe. When ordering her coffee, a young woman gave an older man–a veteran–her punch on his coffee card to get him one step closer to a free cup of coffee. A few minutes later, a homeless woman got a free cup to go. This is a wonderful time of year when people are genuinely willing to help each other out. More than that, people seem to understand that giving can be one of the best ways to connect with each other. It’s a way to turn strangers into friends and friends into even more intimate acquaintances.
When we give, we feel connected to our world. We’re able to connect with our community, find meaning, and help others in the process.
For the past few years, our founder Amandine Nabarra has been working with Project Angel Food, an L.A.-based charity started in the wake of the AIDS crisis to help sufferers obtain healthy, freshly-cooked meals. Today, the scope of Angel Food’s mission has widened considerably, though the charity hasn’t let go of its queer-friendly roots. This year. Angel Food participated in a new Medi-Cal study to help assist with healthy meal delivery to patients dealing with specific health concerns such as heart disease and diabetes. The charity also served meals to those affected by the 2019 fires.
Donating time to the project–usually time spent in the kitchen or on the delivery route–is just as valuable for helping fellow Californians eat clean, live longer, and enjoy the company of others.
Giving Tuesday may be over, but in this season of giving, charities like Project Angel Food are more important than ever. Resources like this don’t just help people live longer–they help people feel happier. They help us out, too. When we give, we feel connected to our world. We’re able to connect with our community, find meaning, and help others in the process.
This Christmas season, if you find yourself getting involved with your community in any small way, let us know about it in the comments and link to the charity of your choice. We’re always thrilled to learn about new ways to make the world be a better place.