Food & Love & HALF UNITED

“If you can’t feed 100 people, then feed just one” – Mother Theresa

My feelings and relationship with food has recently evolved. Spending time in the kitchen, cutting fresh fruit and vegetables, making soups from scratch and trying my hand at all the recipes I find on Pinterest has become a great source of comfort for me.

As a culture, a home cooked meal or baking someone their favorite treat is deeply tied with showing love. Especially this time of year as we look forward to favorite fall family and holiday traditions. Food is abundant and wine is usually flowing. We indulge in our favorite once a year treats, allowing ourselves to not feel guilty about the extra cookie or 2nd helping of mashed potatoes.

For over 800 million people in the world, eating is a luxury. Not over eating, but actually eating. Eating one meal a day is an indulgence. The good news is – this is a problem we can all help solve. Take, for example, the wonderful people of HALF UNITED. The brother/ sister team of Carmin and Christian Black are the creative talents who founded HALF UNITED with a mission of fighting hunger using recycled bullet casings. They take used bullet casings and turn them into beautiful jewelry for both men and women. Their offerings range from the iconic “Fighting Hunger Necklaces” to woven bracelets made in Cambodia to shirts declaring that “Giving Is The New Black.”

For every purchase, HALF UNITED gives HALF of all profits to organizations that are working to end hunger. As of today, they have provided over 113,276 meals and helped organizations working to alleviate hunger in the United States, Cambodia, Madagascar and Fiji. Through their partnerships with the Food Bank, Cape Fear Volunteer Center, and EAI (in Cambodia and Madagascar), HALF UNITED is doing their part to help bring an end to hunger and poverty.

And they don’t just donate meals. They invest in crops, gardens, and fish farms to create a sustainable source of food that lasts long beyond one meal. Money also goes to education and meals for school children, so they are able to learn effectively and end the vicious cycle of poverty.

So as the holidays draw near and you sit around tables with friends, sharing stories, sharing food, sharing wine – remember how easily you can help someone in need of a warm meal. Whether it’s donating directly to your local food bank or purchasing some of the beautiful HALF UNITED creations, you can make a difference. And you don’t have to feed 100. Feeding just one is the perfect place to start.