EatSmart fans will continue to select each Charity of the Month in 2013. Fans will submit short stories about the charity’s mission and why it’s meaningful to them. We began our Charity of the Month donations in 2011.

September’s Charity of the Month has been chosen by Mishelle Fuller from Polish Maniacs.

I was recently asked by the wonderful people over at EatSmart to help choose their September Charity of the Month! Before getting into the Charity I’ve chosen, and why, I’d love to thank EatSmart for this wonderful opportunity. I’m very honored and blessed to be able to help make a difference for some unfortunate people. We’ve all been through hard times, and some of us could be going through one as we speak. I would just like to say, if you’re in need of any kind of assistance, please don’t stay suffering, ask for help, that is why it exists. Now onto my choice of Charity.

I knew that when I received the email asking if I wanted to do this wonderful thing, I wanted to choose a place that helps my town and surrounding towns. I also wanted to, knowing that the Holidays are coming up, give to a Charity that helps families enjoy their Holidays and give them something to look forward to. The Charity I chose benefits the Worcester County area in Massachusetts and is the Worcester County Food Bank. The WCFB is made up of local non-profit human and social service providers, donors from the food industry, corporate, government, civic and private sectors, and individual volunteers! Since its opening in 1982, the WCFB has collected and distributed more than 50,000,000 pounds of food and grocery product through a network of local shelters, food pantries, senior centers, rehabilitation programs, soup kitchens, after-school programs, and neighborhood centers. They are a member of Feeding America as well. The WCFB helps feed hungry people in more than 60 cities and towns in central Massachusetts. Also, they have a program called the “Second Serving Food Rescue Program” that rescues prepared and perishable foods from local restaurants, supermarkets, and farms and delivers directly by refrigerated truck to local shelters and meal programs.

This Charity is very special to me, not only because it helps those around me, but because I know others who have personally benefited from this program. I truly believe no one should have to go to sleep on an empty stomach, and it really sickens and saddens me to hear of Children often having to deal with this. This program helps bring meals and food to those who can’t afford it on their own, even after working to try and keep their family surviving. This economy is terrible, and I love that this program gives hope to those people in need. People who are struggling to keep their families fed can apply for Immediate Assistance, or Long-Term Assistance. Immediate Assistance is right through the WCFB themselves, and the Long-Term gives you alternative programs (Nutrition for Elderly, School Breakfast & Lunch Reduction Programs, SNAP Benefits which are Food Stamps, etc.). Another reason why this is special to me is because I’ve been in the same situation. When I was in school, we couldn’t afford the $2.00 lunch and breakfast every single day, so we were able to get it reduced through the program. I was able to be fed and full at school for $0.40, and it really meant a lot to us. It was great knowing that we weren’t going throughout the day, starving, and that we could continue with our studies full of brain fuel. Not having food in your body is not something to play around with, as mal-nutrition can be detrimental and fatal.

We will be donating 50 cents for every new Facebook follower during the month of July. (So spread the word!)

Click here and EatSmart will donate:

If interested in submitting a charity for consideration, please email joseph@eatsmartproducts.com. The donation amount will be capped at 500 new followers/likes.