SNICKERS is Feeding America

Did you know today is National Junk Food Day?

It's true.

So, in honor of the special day I have something very easy for you.

 is 

FEEDING AMERICA.

What?

That's right.

You get to help.

Here's how.

Buy one of these.

Go here

and enter in the code from the inside of the package.

When you do, 


will donate 

ONE MEAL
 to 

for a total of up to 3.5 million meals.

It's easy.

It's fast.

You can help end hunger just by eating something yummy.

You could be doing this.

Looking oh so happy to be eating some chocolate.

{Okay. I admit it. This is my sister and she's not eating a Snickers, but I just really think this picture is funny.}

Junk food it up baby and do something good.

Have I mentioned I love me some Snickers?

I do.

Oh I do.

Project 3/50

Have you seen this on my sidebar?

What is it?

Good question.

It is a project and a movement designed to help encourage support of locally owned, independent businesses and in turn improve the economy by improving local economies.

Here's how it works.

They ask you to pick 3 independently owned businesses.

Support them.

Stop in.

Purchase something.

Commit to spending $50 a month in these locally owned businesses.

 Hence, 3/50.

I find this idea very intriguing.

I can see how this could bring a lot of good into your own community.

Interested?

You can read all about it here.

Go here to donate directly to the cause.

You can check out the blog here.

Charity Yard Sale

If you're local, be sure to visit the 

Charity Yard Sale

with the CIA.

No. We're not talking covert ops people.

Different CIA.

Citizens in Action.

Citizens in Action is an agency that serves people with disabilities -- namely mental disabilities.

They also try to help show the community what people with disabilities can contribute.

You can help.

They are having a 

Charity Yard Sale

this Saturday, July 17th

from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

in the parking lot of TURN Community Services at

1837 S. East Bay Boulevard

in Provo.

The funds from the yard sale are going directly to a local 4 year old boy with multiple disabilities. 

They are trying to help him get the medical supplies that he needs.

They are going to have A LOT of stuff!

And there will be a cash jar if you would like to directly donate to the cause.

They do not have a website, but are working on getting one up and running soon.

I'll keep you posted.

This is a fairly young agency and they are trying to get their name out there.

This is a great time to get to know them AND find a treasure.

Welcome Back!

I hope you had a tremendous weekend.

I love long weekends.

Pringles has a new way that you can help give back with their

"U Taste. We Donate" Campaign.

Until July 31st, every time you buy Pringles Multi-grain, 

you can help give Share Our Strength $1.

It's easy.

 Here's how it works.

Buy a  can of Pringles Multi-grain chips.

Find the 12-digit UPC code.

Go here.

Enter in the code.

Done.

A $1 donation will be made to Share Our Strength, 
with a maximum donation of $100,000 and a minimum donation of $75,000.

Go here to learn more about Share Our Strength and help end childhood hunger.


Now wasn't that easy?

For the Love of Chocolate!

Oh I said Chocolate!

I have your attention don't I?!

Did you know June is National Candy Month?

In honor of National Candy Month I'm going to tell you how you can do some good just by eating one of these..

That's right.

All you have to do is buy yourself a Hershey's bar and you'll be doing some good.

Not just because it's yummy and ...it's chocolate, but because of this...

Milton Hershey School

If you haven't heard of this yet,

you must keep reading.

I am in love.

Even more so than with chocolate itself.

In 1909 Milton Hershey (founder of the Hershey chocolate company) and his wife Kitty (Catherine) established the Milton Hershey School to help bring children out of poverty, break the cycle, and give them a new start in life.

They couldn't have any children but decided they wanted to do something for children who suffered. The school originally began with orphans.

It now houses children who come from extreme poverty and insurmountable challenges at home.

It is a private school and home for children in need.

They offer an education to grades pre-kindergarten through 12th.

They have a home to live in and house parents to care for them.

They provide for all of their basic needs like free access to medical care, dental care, clothing, and even hair cuts. They offer traditional academics as well as arts courses and sports. They also try to instill in them the importance of community service as they participate in Boy and Girl Scouts.

They aim to build academic skills, character, leadership skills and help them become productive members of society -- breaking the cycle of poverty.

Best of all -- IT IS FREE.

It is reported to cost $75,000 per student per year.

The families pay nothing. Nothing.

In 1918 Milton Hershey set up a trust
to provide for the future needs of the school. He believed in it so much that he gave virtually his entire fortune
(all $60 million)
to the support and sustaining of the school.
Today the Milton Hershey School is the largest shareholder in the Hershey Co.


The school has literally helped thousands of children break the cycle of poverty and give them a new start at life.
You can go here to read and see some of the stories of those who have attended the school.


Does the school really make a difference?
A recent survey/study was conducted about the alumni of the school.


Here are some of the responses:

• 80% of alumni have reported to volunteer for an organization.
• They have devoted more than 457,000 hours of volunteer time per year.
• They have contributed upwards of $10 million dollars in annual contributions to charity.
• And they have created as many as 154,000 jobs.

Oh yeah. They are making a difference.
{One now retired CEO of the Hershey Co. is even an alum of the school.}
To learn more about Milton Hershey and his life you can view a biography in sections by going here.

Part 4 covers the starting of the school.

{But, you'll also learn some really great things about him -- he personally bought roses for his wife everyday while she was suffering from a fatal illness.}

I had no idea such a thing even existed.
Better yet, I had no idea I could contribute.


Every time you purchase a Hershey's product, a portion of the proceeds goes toward fueling this legacy that Milton Hershey started.

So chocolate lovers unite!!
Don't have guilt anymore -- buy some chocolate, share it, eat it, and do some serious good for children who need a new start.


I love it!!


Here is a small clip that I thought really captured the heart of the legacy.


He was one of the world's greatest businessmen.
He was also one of the world's greatest philanthropists.

image courtesy ExplorePAHistory


The decisions he made 100 years ago are still impacting thousands of childrens' lives.


Can ONE person really make a difference?
Oh yes. Just one.
Can't get enough? Go here to read all about his legacy.
Go here to read all about the school.

SunChips are really Good!

Today, June 21st is the official 
First Day of Summer!!!

To me that means picnic time.

Need an idea of something good to take to your next picnic.

It should be

SunChips.

Why you ask?

Not only are they tasty (and no one is paying me to say that -- I really do like them), but it is much better than that.

Have you noticed the new bag?

Look closer.

See that?

100% compostable!!!!!

That is so cool.

Each bag is completely designed to break down in 14 weeks.


Here's a time-lapsed video of the composting process.

It is the world's first 100% compostable chip bag. 
I LOVE it!
It is made from plant-based materials.


I really hope other companies jump on board with this.


{I was just telling my son about this as he watched me put together this post. He said "Wow. That is such a smart idea." Indeed.}




If you don't know how to compost or how to get started -- they've got that covered too.
Go here for a simple tutorial and some tips.

The bag is slightly noisier but I don't mind in the least.
{It makes it easier to tell when someone is sneaking into the chip bag in between meals.}




Need another reason to buy SunChips for your summer picnics?


They also use solar energy in their Modesto, California plant to produce 145,000 bags of chips every day.

You can learn about this process here and download a file for all of the details.


If you want to do some good this summer, take a bag of SunChips to your next picnic, and compost the bag.




Who knew chips could be so good!?
I love me some SunChips!!!

A Gift Idea -- for Father's Day

Is your Dad hard to buy for?
Of course he is. Aren't all Dads?!

Does he love gadgets?

Check out these cool "green" gift ideas from This Old House.


A few of my favorites...


An ultra-bright Solar-Powered Area Light


Solar-powered Security Light

Senses motion and turns on whichever light is plugged into the receiver. 




Earthopoly

 Like Monopoly, but made out of recyclable materials and uses eco-terminology.


Recyclable Golf Balls

USGA Standard, made of 100% recyclable materials that can be used to make more golfballs or other products. Each box contains a pouch to send back balls to manufacturer.

Solar-Powered Bird Bath 

 Uses no plumbing or wiring -- the sun does all the work. Cool.


My very favorite...


Two-in-One Solar and Wind Charger

Uses both solar and wind energy and can charge cell phones, ipods, and other electrical devices, indoors or out. It has a large rechargeable battery that when fully charged, can charge a cell phone more than 5 times.  Really cool. Love it.


You can go here for the full article and to find prices and buying information.


Spend a little green 
Go a little green for Father's Day.

all images via This Old House

Donut Day!!

Is this some kind of joke?!


NO!!! Woot! Woot! for the donut! {Or doughnut -- whichever you prefer.}

Today, June 4th is National Donut Day!!

{Teaser: Free donut at the bottom. No cheating. You have to read all the way through.}

History:
It is always the first Friday in June.
{'It honors the Salvation Army "Lassies" of WWI. It is also used as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army.


The original Salvation Army Donut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a morale boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl."


National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts and other foods for thousands of soldiers'.}
*excerpt from 'Holiday Insights'

A few Good Ideas to celebrate Donut Day:

Eat a donut.
Then clean out your clothes and donate them to Salvation Army (or any other charitable clothing store.)


Eat an entire box of donuts.
Then clean out even more of your clothes, since you will now be a different size and will not fit into any of your clothes.


Don't like donuts? (WHAT?!?! Stop it right now!) -- If you sincerely don't like them though, consider buying a dozen and giving them to a family in your area that is down on their luck. Maybe it could even be a military family that has a parent or loved one deployed or injured.


OR,...you could even buy a dozen and donate them here to this Bake Sale.

OR,...support a local business and buy some donuts from your local bakery.

OR,...you could make some homemade donuts and surprise your friends and neighbors with a special treat.

Like these from The Pioneer Woman

{I love her. We are best friends -- she just doesn't know it yet.}

After you do one of these good deeds treat yourself to a free donut from Krispy Kreme.

To find a participating Krispy Kreme go here.

Who knew that a donut could be so Good?

(Well, my booty knows it, but I'm just sayin'...)

If you do something Good for Donut Day -- I'd love to hear about it!

Email me at: ingoodco.britney@gmail.com

Do you want a new Subaru?

This is for locals only -- sorry guys.

Sorry if this sounded like a mean trick. This, unfortunately, is not a giveaway, but Mark Miller Subaru at South Towne IS giving away some money to your favorite local charity if you purchase a new or used vehicle!

Their "DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD" event only goes until May 31st (sorry for the late notice), so if you were planning on getting a new car anyway, maybe you should hurry and do it now.

For every car purchased during the month of May, they will give $100 to one of eight small, non-profit local agencies.
If you mention "DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD" they will also give you special pricing.

So hurry people!!!!!!! You only have a few days left.

Go here for more info

**If you can't meet this deadline though, consider shopping here in the future. It is always good to show our support of businesses that try to give back to the community. Way to go Mark Miller Subaru South Towne!