What Else We Are Wishing For

Bread for the City has an updated wish list for all you kind and dedicated readers with a few special requests to help our clients and staff.

We've recently written here about our reusable grocery bag drive -- which has been quite the success. And just last week, one of our readers donated a model sailboatkit for one of our more crafty clients! Here are some other ways you can help:

1. Cooking and eating utensils! Forks and spoons, cutting boards, a stainless steel stock pot and sauce pot -- basic kitchen essentials. Nutrition consultant Sharon Gruber conducts a bimonthly cooking demonstration--one session in NW and one newly added to the SE center. "Cooking seems to be a lost art among many people and it doesn't have to be that way," said Gruber. Her cooking program demonstrates quick, easy ways to make healthy meals at a reasonable price. It's often a scramble to assemble everything we need to demonstrate how to make a meal, however -- so you can help us out here!
   
   
2. Books in Spanish: We serve many non-English speaking clients, particularly the Spanish-speaking community concentrated in Ward 2 and nearby communities. Norma Amador, Bread for the City's Medical Enrollment Coordinator, said that the number of Spanish-speaking patients coming to the medical clinic has risen steadily over the years, drawn by good word of mouth and the comfort of easy communication with our staff. Many of these patients bring their entire families to BFC. Although any type of Spanish-language books will be accepted, Ms. Amador emphasized books for both children and adults focusing on healthy eating, personal health, local information guides and children's books for the waiting room.
   
   
3. Smartrip or Metro fare cards: As the cost of public transportation steadily increases, the pressure mounts on our clients and many other low-income and vulnerable D.C. residents who are trying to get to work. In some cases, they are still trying to find work but the more expensive the bus or rail ride gets, the more difficult it will be for our clients to receive our services and to get themselves back on their feet. Donating a Smartrip or Metro fare card is an easy way to make a real difference in our clients' lives.
   
   
4. A "Welcome" mat! Because everyone wants to feel welcome, and sometimes we need a little help from friends to make it happen.

If you can help, please contact Nathan LaBorie @ (202) 386-7611. We accept these and many other items!

As always, thank you for your readership and your continued support.