It stinks that a person has to explain why they’re doing it. Once a person goes through food insecurity understands the importance of doing this. Yes they say having something special will help with moral.
Hi Brooke, consider blessing boxes to give to a senior apartment complex. If we put together meal packs like you did in one of your videos and take them to a senior apartment complex to bless our seniors who are struggling too😊
@sonyafox3271 yes you're absolutely right. I apologize for that. I was just suggesting to think of our community . All of our community. Thank you for your comment.
Brooke, you are more of a blessing than you will ever know. I grew up hungry. I remember taking ketchup sandwiches to school for lunch (one piece of bread with ketchup on it) because that's all we had. There was nothing remotely close to this when I was a child. I was so hungry all the time. And the kids made fun of me because of my condition. May God continue to bless you and your family for all you do to help the hungry.
I grew up similarly. Katchup and mustard on bread. Our school didn't have a hot lunch program. We did have a milk program though. We would get a pint of milk for snack time and a pint of milk for lunch. I would regularly slip my pint of milk for lunch into my lunch box so we had milk to cook with at home. Which I was doing the home cooking since I was 8. I had to drink the snack time milk at snack time because it was served in the classroom and I couldn't get it past my teacher to my cubby. Some times I would get caught at lunch time trying to sneak it into my lunch box. Those were usually the days that the lunch teachers would also find out that I only had ketchup and mustard in my sandwich and then they. Would announce to the whole gymnasium full of kids eating their lunches if anyone had something they would like to share from their lunch..... So embarrassing. I would try to object. I like my sandwich this way! I made it myself! I don't want others food!... Never worked. They always insisted I must have more. It wasn't for lack of trying. My mom was a single mom. She worked 3 minimum wage jobs just to keep a roof over our head and clothes on our back. She made "too much" money to get assistance. We didn't get sugary cereals. We didn't get treats. We didn't get ice cream or popcorn or anything else that wasn't a meal. So I learned really fast how to make the best of what we had. Haw to stretch food. We never really went hungry. We never had absolutely nothing. But it was always the minimum to get by. This was the late 80's early 90's.
@@shawgeasland2096 I was in the 60's. And we did go hungry. My mom was a nurse. My dad was retired from the air force. But his drinking took it all. I don't blame either of them. My dad had been a POW in WWII and there was no help for any of them back then. So he drank to forget because he couldn't cope. My mom made sure we had a roof over our heads, but that's all she could do. We went without a lot. I just remember being very hungry and there were no programs to help.
@@BettyHorn well we made it through. We have scares and memories. But, we are survivors and keep moving forward. I hope your adult life has been better.
Me too. I used to have no lunch at school or had to eat what we had, which was not much. You are such a sweetheart showing us how we can live well. You are such a blessing, I love your humor and all your videos. Your family is so fun to watch when they enjoy your cooking.
You are such a blessing to our planet!! Thank you for being you, and Dusty, thank you for convincing Brooke to start her RU-vid channel! Have a wonderful weekend everyone and God bless you all!🙏🏼♥️🙏🏼
Brooke,You are a Blessing in this world!! Thinking of others and Sharing what we can is what we All should do!! Thank you for being you and helping others to be like you!!Love ya!!😊❤
I agree 100%. It breaks my heart to see so many hurting. CA. rents are already unaffordable now it is impossible. We all ,here,may have to move in together. 3 of my adult children's hour have been cut in half. Let's just help. It isn't for us to decide who is needy. We do not know others lives. Kids snacks have taken a hit in our family. Needs come 1st. So uplift a child with treats. Thank you so much Brooke for being the beautiful person you are.❤❤❤
I have seen people judge those that drive to a food pantry with a "nice" car. You never know what they are going through AT THAT TIME. Maybe they do have enough money for food "most" months but that week they are broke and can't feed their kids. We have no right to judge anyone for their situation. If that adult needing food "wasted" their money on something frivolous, so what. It is not our business. And the kids in that family did not ask to be hungry! Such a great idea Brooke! Thank you for being you! Encourages me to do this. I have never seen blessing boxes in north Texas but I know the food banks can use help.
I’m one of those people who drives up to the Food Pantry in a nice car. A vehicle that was given to me by a family member as a gift. A vehicle with a mobility feature (a valet seat) for a family member who is in a wheelchair.
It’s great you and Dusty teach your boys by example. Letting them see you give to others and including them in doing so is very good parenting IMO. I hope the blessings are returned to you when you may need them.
I love this. Thank you. We go to our closest large town once a week and distribute food bags to the homeless that are throughout Durango. They took down the big community food box and scattered everyone on the mountain a few months ago and it's soooo sad. I was homeless w 3 kids after a terrible car wreck and an abusive husband I had to escape. I remember being so hungry one time that when I got a grilled chz and soup it tasted like prime rib. I worked my whole life but am equity so even after 38 surgeries including losing my leg I've never received help or disability. Now me and my 20 and 25 yr old kids make it together and will always give back. People have no clue why people are really in need.🙏🌺🙏🌺🙏
Brooke, this is awesome!! My whole channel is based around going to the food pantries and what you can do with the food you get from them! I am so very grateful to the food banks and all the do for our community! Then there are community members like YOU, who go on to think of others in THEIR time of need as you go through your OWN time of need! Keep doing what you are doing my friend! Your channel is growing so fast and you totally deserve it!! Lots of Love, Carolina
I love you so much, Brooke! You are not bragging, you're serving others and encouraging others to do so as well. So many have been helped because you started this channel. I have a thing I do and it's private but I am going to start making the "treat bags" especially now summer is here. The sayings are perfect encouraging one another can change the world. May you, Dusty and the Southerland squad be blessed abundantly! xoxo
One time I went to our local food pantry and they gave us muffins, cookies, cupcakes, expensive all natural face oil for women in our boxes as a treat and that meant the world to me, as I’m one income household for just myself (I’m not on foodstamps, I just don’t take time to apply, which I need to do) and I had a treat for after a long day of work or weekend breakfast and it made me feel like I was not running low on funds, that I deserved a treat and made me feel so loved. Sometimes it’s just that little pack of cookies that can help us not to feel like we are struggling. I won’t forget how good those snacks tasted coming from someone that cared!!!!❤ I just burst into tears of gratitude writing that. Thank you to anyone who volunteers or donates their time/talents to food pantries/shelters, etc ❤
I know how food insecurity is. I have had to go to food pantries and blessing boxes to make ends meet. I have also shared with others when I had plenty. There is no shame in any of this. Thank you Brooke for blessing others.
For people looking for Blessing Boxes in their area, sometimes they are also called Little Free Pantries. Things like personal care items, laundry detergent and pet food are also things to consider adding to blessing boxes.
Brooke I really think you are helping out many families with your addition to the blessing boxes , and Thsnk you for giving us ideas on putting together items to make meals and for including snacks for the kids , that’s important to help the parents with the snacks so their kids don’t feel the pain of hunger or not having a snack to enjoy !! We all have to help others out in these difficult time we are all going through trying to feed our families ! I know I went through my pantry and donated to my local church pantry to help them with their supplies for needy families ! God bless you Brooke for your generosity for not just buying out of your own money , and out if your pantry! And adding the instructions will help the family who gets them to know how to put the meal together !! I think this is a good reminder for viewers that no matter how little we can afford to give to help other it all adds up and together we have the opportunity to help another family to have a meal and it could be the only meal their family ears that day!! ❤️🙏🙋🏻🌈🌈
I agree it is important to share when we have extra. I receive a government food box and when there is something I can not use, I share. Otherwise it would go to waste. Please do not judge me. You are a lovely family and I would never consider you to be bragging
Brooke you are wonderful and don’t need to explain anything. Prison 2 Profit did a you tube video about blessing boxes a couple years ago and I was going to go and fill one up but ended up not doing it at the time. Your video has inspired me to do that now. I always try to give homeless people any cash or spare change I have in my car when I see them. People say oh they’re driving a Mercedes that’s parked around the corner and are just scamming you but my feeling is that’s on them if that’s true. I’d rather take the chance that maybe they are actually homeless and hungry and be helpful then be cynical. Once I was driving with a friend who had just taken a bite of a sandwich from Dunkin’ Donuts when a homeless man came up to the window when we were stopped at a traffic light and asked if we had any food. My friend said all I have is this sandwich. The man took it and literally started eating it right there. That’s hungry, people. Don’t be cynical.
The lesson you taught your children today about kindness is amazing! I will donate to a local food pantry this weekend because you reminded me today that we all need help some days in some way.
My niece watched your video and wants to do this. We have a surplus of eggs and lord willing maybe extra homegrown veggies that we plan to put in our local blessing box. Thank you for the idea
This is the reason I love your channel. The generosity of spirit and kindness is so lovely. I really enjoyed seeing you and the boys go do this together. I think I’ll plan to do this with my son very soon. A good lesson for all
What a sweet, special person you are Brooke. I’ve only used a local blessing box once, for 1 can of soup. I was struggling so hard back then and literally didn’t even have $1 to buy a can of chicken noodle soup for my grand babies!! I contribute to it regularly now. Thank you for every beautiful thing you do for our world ❤❤❤
No matter who comes to visit e.g. my bridge buddies I always send home the remainder of the lunch I have cooked so they don't have to cook dinner. I had a lady who stopped by to pick up some things for a rummage bin and I cleaned out some items from my freezer. She was happy. The point here is to keep on giving because you don't know who might be hurting. Don't be shy..throw in a lb. Of butter..throw in Laundry Detergent..throw in a lb. Of hamburger..throw in some fresh fruit and vegetables..don't be shy. When my friends and I get word that someone is hurting we take them grocery shopping. It's not that we are rich it's because the thought of anyone going hungry is unacceptable. Our food banks are so busy you can't imagine but they are only allowed 1 box of food a month?????? Not enough. At the same time get pots soil and start planting if you are in an apt. If you are in a house with land start planting. You might not need it but you can give it to food banks. Chop chop let's go team! People where I live are selling the family car so that they can eat.
Brooke, your job is to teach. You teach people how to cook, how to save money, how to garden, etc... showing this will teach people to give from money that YOU taught them to save. You are a Wonderful example of a great human being!❤️
Really love the idea of taping items together. And, putting meals in a bag. I love this video. God already knows you are not doing this for praise. He knows you are following His words. Bless you, your family and your channel.
We should be grateful we dont have to use the blessing boxes! So your right not to judge others if they really need it or not. I hope your channel grows and the blessings that come from it will benefit your family first then the community!❤❤❤
i love that you included pads. they are so needed. a town close to us (1 hour) the radio station has what they call tampon tuesday where people can donate pads and tampons that go to the local food bank and jr high school.
I encourage everyone who needs help to search your area not only for blessing boxes, but for little free pantries and community fridges as well. We have at least 5 community fridges in my area and they get used by so many that they get cleared out quickly. If you want to help fill these resources, but can’t give financially, you can also look for local food rescue groups and volunteer. Thanks for this video Brooke!!
God has given you the most loving kindness and giving heart.He has put you on a road to help others. Always enjoy hearing your kind words PLEASE keep these videos coming. Prayers Blessings to Dusty Brooke and their sons and to both Dusty and Brookes families. Enjoy your weekend
Our church started a large community garden. We will have a stand for anyone to come take from but also are allowed to go work in the garden and pick fresh if they would like. Since COVID’s extra food stamps is over now, just in our county 25% of the lower middle income got kicked off. It’s estimated that 12.6% of those people will have to choose between paying rent, paying for medical care or buy groceries. That’s just not ok to me. Praying the garden can fill gaps and help so many families! I love your ideas, and all you do! ❤
Brooke your RU-vid channel is the internet’s blessing box, and you’re raising your kids by example to grown into blessings and lights unto this world 💚🌎
You're setting a great example of how we can help one another, no praise needed . Our country seems to have always done all we can when we see need and it's not going so well right now. Thankyou for the reminder❤
You have just encouraged me to go through my cabinets because I know that I have things my boys won’t eat that someone else will. I’m one of those that needs help but I will give the shirt off my back to help someone else. My child’s school has a blessing box, as well as several other locations in my area. This will be me and the kids weekend adventure.
You are surely a blessing to many! Not just because you blessed these people via the boxes, but to all of the people who might be inspired to do it where they are at!
You did a great job. When I was struggling (thankfully over a decade ago!) the things that were the hardest for me to get, yet I most craved, were oils, salt, sugar and flour. Practically every box I got from the food banks included tuna and peanut butter, but never mayonnaise. They typically included pasta and tomatoes, and things of similar nature. The blessing boxes that I put together consist of salt, sugar, mayonnaise, flour, oil, jam and sweet relish. Your concern over "normalcy' for the children is nothing short of genius. Thank you.
God Bless you and your family ❤❤❤ if only 10 other people that could do this would it would be awesome I'm 63 and I live in government housing and feel very Blessed just having a roof over my head and my b insurance now gives me $230 a month that is for over the counter medication and food and i know that's not alot but I'm very Thankful for it ❤❤❤The thought and love you put into this is awesome 🎉
I never knew about blessing boxes! Thank you for bringing attention to this great need. Tonight i will get online to see if there are any in my area. Surely the food banks will know of such a thing and if they are none, I'll start donating to the local food bank. You are such a blessing!
Brook that will definitely be a blessing to someone. I agree if you have youngsters around and no snacks for them because you can't afford it's truly a blessing to get some. God bless you for being a blessing to some families.
Aloha? Ohana exclamation. Point? I understand what you're doing. You don't need to explain yourself to anybody if they can't just understand the way of life. People that have the money they just don't understand some of us have to struggle in life. Your family is awesome There are a lot of us out there that appreciate you for what you do to give a hint how to stretch our money. Thank you have a safe summer
Thank you for such a wonderful idea. I work for a school system that offers free lunches so I know the area has needs. I will be copying your actions This Week!!
I don't really know what a blessing box is. They don't have them around here. They should have them. A studio apartment without a kitchen costs around $1200 a month here. I am so thankful we inherited our condo from my dad. It still costs us over $1500 a month with taxes insurance and condo association fees. Then there's power . I don't know how people can afford rent.
Don't worry about what people say, you're doing a good thing. Those that criticize have never struggled but heaven forbid they get in that situation, they'll be the first crying for help without trying to help themselves first! Thank you you're one of my favorite channels
Another suggestion would be on your meal bags...if you have a computer & printer print the recipe out & tape to the bag, that way if you tend to make same meals frequently, it'll save you time
The last thing anyone should think about you (and your family) is that you’re doing something good for credit. I know my brain doesn’t go there and I doubt most here would go there. As for giving without strings, yes. If you give, give freely with no thought to someone’s circumstance. It’s like giving money to someone. Not my business what they are going to do with it once it leaves my hands. People who judge someone for receiving help (food, housing, money or SNAP) have no clue what that family is going through. Maybe they were once flush and hit a low. Fell on hard times. We don’t know, and frankly it’s none of my business. I don’t care. I’ve had a little extra and helped, and I’ve hit times I needed help, even while working a very good job. Boy was I grateful. I am just so in love with your heart. Oh, and I know you’re not asking for an atta-girl, but you’re going to get one anyway. You’re amazing. You’re a blessing every day. You help so many with your channel, and I see what you’re doing for the community now, and I’m sure always have given and just not told us. Thank you.
You are such an amazing example to your kids! And us! The fact that you take the time to write out recipes is fantastic! I don't know if you're a believer but you're making Jesus smile!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Brooke, thank you. I have been in the position of lacking food, personal hygiene items and I have been in the position of having plenty, I do my best to always try to help others. Sadly, we do not have blessing boxes where I live. We do have food pantries and churches. I try to donate large amounts of food and hygiene products 3 to 4 times a year. I used to carry gift cards to the grocery store or food places and hand them out when people we asking for food on the side of the road or in parking lots. It is wonderful that not only are you doing this but, you include your family as well. May God bless you and your family always. Thank you again. God bless all!
You didn't do it for kudos, but as someone that has had food insecurity as a younger person I say thank you for doing this. You my dear are a true blessing to those around you and to us as viewers.
Brooke, you and your family are a true blessing to this world!! If everyone would give just a little, so so many family's that are struggling could have food AND snack's to feed them, because you are so right, NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY!!! 😊❤❤
When we have extra from a meal, we often share it quietly with others We strive to store extras so we can at least make a big pot of soup and some bread to help neighbors in an emergency
I love how giving your heart is! Our local high school found some girls were "failing" school due to absences. Upon further investigation the staff realized it was due to the girls not having feminine products and they had no choice but to stay home. This is so heartbreaking. The fact that a girl could fail out of high school became she does not have feminine products monthly is terrible! So a group here in town hosts a drive for feminine products every year before school starts. They are left in the school bathrooms and they can take what they need. It is so wonderful that you thought to include that! You are wonderful and are raising some awesome young men!
Family’s are starting to be multi generational,,,mom and dad,,kids,grandparents,,maybe an aunt,,,all working grandparents helping with the kids,,, it hard,,a few bumps until everything settles down,,,,like in the thirty’s and fourtys
Blount County has been hit so bad. You are 100 right about cost of housing and it is making it’s nearly impossible to feed a family in a middle class income.
Thank you for all you do. It is a blessing for me to know there is still yet a beautiful person like you who wants to not only help others but also do it with compassion . I'm sending love your way.
We have 5 Blessing Boxes in my town in different areas of town in areas where a lot of people walk to the store, etc. I divide my donations into 5 bags and unload at each box at least once a month if not more often. I think it is great that you are including your kids in the purchase and drop off really teaches them to think of others as well as their own family. We all can have 1 or 2 $3-4 meals a week to purchase for others in need without taking a hit to our food budgets.
You and your family are amazing. Bringing awareness is always a good thing. I would hope someone would not judge this video. We don't have those around here and we do have a lot of struggling families. What a great idea. Those look like The Free Little Library boxes they have here.
You can tell that you really take pride and enjoy making those boxes and also giving your own personal eggs and time you can just tell how much you enjoy it and that your heart is so into it bless you
You are wonderful. You brought a tear to my eye. We were one of those families. I went from a middle class, white picket lifestyle to nothing overnight when I lost my husband. The need is real.
I’m sitting here crying like crazy. I help a family around the corner that I give snacks too and sometimes real food too. i was helped when my kids were young and we had no money left after rent. Thanks for blessing your community.
Thank you for your compassion as someone who has delt with food insecurity i appreciate peope like you. Also thank you for teaching your boys compassion
Brooke I love your "family bags" you did for the blessings box and how you taped meal items together. I don't know too many people these days who haven't had a moment in their lives when they could have used help from a blessing box. Some people are to embarrassed to visit a food pantry or soup kitchen. But with the blessing boxes you can't tell if people are donating or picking up food when you drive by. It's people like you who put the "Volunteer" in our "Volunteer State". Love & hugs from West Tennessee.❤
i think you did a great thing and i love how you take the kids with you i know your intentions are pure and full of love you are an amazing person! i am going to donate to our churches food pantry this week we dont have blessing boxes here our food pantry doesnt have income requirements thanks for the inspiration
Brooke you hit the nail on the head today! Nearly 37 years ago when we were first married my husband lost his job and I had to go to the food bank. It was so hard to do because I believed people were worse off than me. It was very temporary but I am still grateful that the food bank was there. I try to give back whenever I can.
Here we have kids with their kids moving back in with parents because they are priced out or brothers and sisters sharing a house with families. I have taken in nieces and nephews here and there and wait till they found a new job so I foot the bills on everything and I am not rich but we made it work. You give a family a hand up not a hand out and I have had family with the hand out who got a quick no but I did feed them before I sent them packing. We also feed our 82 year old neighbor with maters and cucumbers when we go to the fruit stand so we try to pass it on even in the church family. The thing is a couple of dollars a month in a blessing box or a food pantry you will not miss.
Your opening was so eloquent. You embody your be kind attitude. You are the blessing. Thank you for reminding us that if many help a little together we can help many. 💋. Debi in Vicksburg, MS. 🥰🥰
This is, and you are such a blessing to your community! One suggestion though: If you put your kits in a ziploc bag (maybe an extra or two inside), and the recipe written on paper inside, they can keep the recipe, its more protected from getting wet or torn, and they can use/reuse the ziploc bags for food storage. Love this! ❤
