In the midst of all of the struggles and strife in our county, I am blessed to be part of a company who makes a difference in the lives of so many people. Giving is so much a part of who I am and I love the opportunity to help locally as well as knowing the company I represent is doing it as well. The following is re-post from my Thirty One website….
Those who know us know we’re a company driven by our mission to strengthen families. This commitment extends beyond our Thirty-One Gifts circle to reach military families across the country. Since 2013, Thirty-One Gives has proudly partnered with Operation Homefront to help make sure U.S. military families in the greatest need can enjoy a full holiday meal – and more.
About Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose stated mission is “to build strong, stable and secure military families so they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.” For more than 15 years, it has provided financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing programs, and caregiver and family support services to the military families who need them most.
Holiday Meals for Military
One of Operation Homefront’s key services is Holiday Meals for Military. The goal of this program is to distribute complete holiday meal kits, which include everything families need for a spectacular holiday meal: turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing and vegetables – plus additional food for a holiday breakfast. Military families in need are invited to pick up the kits at their local base.
The program began in 2009 as a result of a stranger paying for a military family’s Thanksgiving groceries at a supermarket in Utica, New York, near Fort Drum. When the man behind the family in the checkout line saw them removing food items they could not afford from their cart, he paid the $12 for their groceries – then worked with Operation Homefront to start Holiday Meals for Military. Since then, the program has served nearly 200,000 military children and close to 60,000 military families.
Read more about this touching meeting and how it led to the formation of the Holiday Meals for Military program.
Proudly supporting those who serve
Since 2013, Thirty-One Gives has provided 14,500 Large Utility Totes to hold all the food items families receive through Holiday Meals for Military. Aaron Taylor, Senior Director of Media Relations for Operation Homefront, shares that even soldiers and their families who aren’t familiar with the Thirty-One Gifts brand “immediately recognize the totes as something special. They add a level of excitement to our programs, and our staff and volunteers are always proud to give a bag from Thirty-One Gifts to these deserving families.”
Here’s what just some of the recipients had to say about their new Thirty-One Gifts products:
Operation Homefront is amazing…We got two huge bags full of ingredients to make a meal and a pretty carrying bag. Marcy R.
I love love love the tote bag that I got at the Holiday Meals Event! Brooke O.
Thirty-One Gives throughout the year
We have been blessed with many more opportunities to show support for our soldiers and military families through this important partnership since 2013, having provided more than 68,000 products to Operation Homefront overall, with a retail value of $2.8 million.
This includes 2,075 Zip-Top Organizing Utility Totes to serve as baby bags, which have been given to new mothers at Operation Homefront’s Star-Spangled Baby Showers. Plus, 6,800 military kids have received our thermal totes as part of the Back-to-School Brigade™, Operation Homefront’s nationwide school supply collection campaign.
“Our military families are dedicated to service,” says Aaron from Operation Homefront. “Even small gestures in recognition of that service show that the American people are grateful for our men and women in uniform, and the families that also serve our nation alongside them. The impact of our partnership with Thirty-One Gifts is to remind these families that they are appreciated by everyone.”
Visit Operation Homefront online to discover ways to give and learn how you can get involved with their programs today to help military families find relief, resiliency and recurring support in times of need.
Will you help to make a difference in the lives of others? Click on the link and share the name of someone you think needs some loving….
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 