Happy Sunday, dear friends. As you all know, today is my favorite day of the week, because I get to relax and share Feel Good News with you. What warms my heart as I sift through the news to select things to share with you is the wide variety of good news.
People are coming together to create positive change. They are figuring out new and innovative ways to help. They are also opening their hearts wide to do simple things that mean so much to those in need.
Today we share just a small taste of all the wonderful things happening out in the wide world. I hope this inspires you to dig for the good news yourself.
Turning the tables in a soup kitchen.
Robert Egger is the founder of DC Central Kitchen, a non-profit set up to feed homeless people in the Washington area. Egger was repelled by the well-intentioned, but ineffective, model of charity that most soup kitchens are built on. He decided to try another way.
Egger began training local homeless people in culinary arts and helping them apply for food service licenses. He helps people in need develop the skills necessary to support themselves, and the transformation is profound.
Alexander Moore, who is also involved in running the thriving non-profit, recently told the story in his book, The Food Fighters: DC Central Kitchen’s First 25 Years on the Front Lines of Hunger and Poverty. DC Kitchen earns 60% of the money it requires to fund its programs through food sales to local businesses and schools, and the program is a model being adopted by other organizations around the country.
Man gives a home away to build up a family.
Tony Tolbert is a successful attorney, but that didn’t stop him from moving back home with his mother. Tony was inspired by a couple who sold their home and donated all the proceeds to charity.
He realized that he did not need to have money to be charitable and so he decided to get creative. Tony donated his home to a young homeless family, to use for one full year. He paid for most of the bills, so they could get back on their feet again.
Tony’s heart-centered generosity was a God-send for Felicia Dukes, a single-mother of four, who was able to financially recuperate and get closer to her children. Tony was so moved by the experience, he is planning on donating his house to another family this year as well.
My House is Your House by Go Inspire Go on Karmatube
Sign the petition to revoke a new ordinance that bans public food sharing.
We shared an article, this past week, about a 90-year old homeless advocate who was arrested because he defied a new Fort Lauderdale, Florida ban on sharing food in public.
This story also went viral on social media, as millions were flabbergasted by the callous actions of the city. A petition has been put up on Change.org to pressure the city council into revoking the ban and providing more services for area’s homeless.
Revoke the new City Ordinance that bans public food sharing petition by Shani Roushar on Change.org
A magician brings a huge surprise to a friendly store clerk.
Daniel Fernandez is a magician and a social media sensation. He has over 300,000 subscribers on Youtube. What is special about Daniel is he is using his celebrity to promote social change and kindness.
There are many videos on his channel that share deeply heart-warming stories of his generosity to those in need. In this video, he surprises a friendly store clerk with a beautiful card, and a lovely gift. No spoilers!
Daniel Fernandez A Change in the Making Channel on Youtube
A nurse starts a pay-it-forward avalanche, simply by picking up the tab.
Kathleen Connors is a nurse in the lovely town of Barre, Vermont. She is also a regular at the L&M Diner. Kathleen won some money at bingo, and she decided to go to breakfast on Saturday to celebrate.
After she was done eating, she saw a father and son sharing a meal and she picked up their tab. She didn’t tell anyone but her waitress about her small act of kindness.
The waitress on the other hand, shared the news with others in the diner, and it set off a chain reaction, where other customers picked up the tabs of others in the diner. At the end of the work day, 46 different people had paid it forward for others in the restaurant.
Kathleen didn’t hear about the wonderful phenomenon until a few days later. She said that there is nothing better than making other people happy.
Restore your faith in humanity in four minutes flat.
Nothing I could say about this video, would prepare you for its awesomeness. A dear reader shared this link, and as I watched it, I cried my eyes out with joy.
I don’t want to ruin it for you, so please just watch it and feel your heart swell.
Restore your faith in humanity in four minutes flat on Youtube
That’s the good news for today. Have a happy day. I hope to see you back here tomorrow for more news.
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex