Starting in 2021, Sweet Peas & Saffron wants to do more to give back. Charitable donations have always been 'behind closed doors' at my house, but I find myself so inspired when I see the ways in which others give back.
This year, we will feature a cause or charity each quarter in our newsletter, on Instagram, and on the blog! In addition, Sweet Peas & Saffron is pledging to donate $1000/month over three months to these organizations.
My hope is that this will introduce you to new organizations and spread the joy of giving back.
Quarter 1
From the world central kitchen website:
Wherever there’s a fight so hungry people may eat, we will be there – we must be there.
Food relief is not just a meal that keeps hunger away. It’s a plate of hope. It tells you in your darkest hour that someone, somewhere, cares about you.
This is the real meaning of comfort food. It’s why we make the effort to cook in a crisis.
We don’t just deliver raw ingredients and expect people to fend for themselves. And we don’t just dump free food into a disaster zone: we source and hire locally wherever we can, to jump-start economic recovery through food.
After a disaster, food is the fastest way to rebuild our sense of community. We can put people back to work preparing it, and we can put lives back together by fighting hunger.
Cooking and eating together is what makes us human.
Click here to find out more, or to donate!
Quarter 2
I grew up with easy access to education and encouragement to pursue it, and throughout it all, I never questioned my place at University. A story in Indspire's recent newsletter gave me pause. They described Naomi, who was born and raised in Ts’kw’aylaxw, BC, a small reserve of 20 or 21 homes. It was a one-hour bus ride each way to get to school.
"I was scared of being told I wasn't smart enough, good enough, not suited. I stood by the door for the longest time. That was the hardest part -- just opening that door."
I thought about this quote for such a long time, and it was the push I needed to select Indspire as the cause that Sweet Peas & Saffron supports in Q2 of 2021.
According to Indspire:
Our vision is to enrich Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement. In partnership with Indigenous, private and public sector stakeholders, Indspire educates, connects and invests in First Nations, Inuit and Métis people so they will achieve their highest potential.
Quarter 3
I've watched everything unfold in Afghanistan with a heavy heart, feeling helpless. While money won't fix the problems, I hope it can help provide some support to those in need.
From the UNHCR website:
Afghanistan is on the brink of a major humanitarian and displacement crisis
An estimated 550,000 Afghans have been newly displaced inside the country this year primarily due to insecurity and violence.
Families forced to flee their homes in recent weeks cite the worsening security situation as the predominant reason for their flight. The needs of those who have had to flee suddenly are acute. UNHCR and partners are assisting newly displaced Afghans with emergency shelter, food, health, water and sanitation support and cash assistance, despite challenges in accessing vulnerable groups.
UNHCR, as part of the broader UN country team will stay and deliver for the Afghan people as long as we have access to populations in need.
Find out more information about how the UNHCR is supporting the situation in Afghanistan:
Quarter 4
OUR MISSION- To champion carbon removal solutions through science and innovation.
OUR VISION- To build a prosperous, carbon-conscious economy that removes more carbon from the atmosphere than we emit.
Over the last six years, we have moved carbon removal into the mainstream and catalyzed its potential through increased funding for innovative technologies, new federal laws, and coalition building.
Find out more about Carbon180 here!