Have you ever noticed that kindness often revolves around food?

It's funny because I was set to write a post today about giving through food and then I checked my Acts of Kindness Daily Calendar and guess what today is about? Food! Here's what today's date says: You don't need to be a great cook to get rave reviews.  Just drop of home-cooked food for someone who has recently had medical treatments, a new baby, or a death in the family." 

When I was a kid, my dad learned of a family in our neighborhood that was part of the Meals on Wheels program. He decided to cook a turkey which was a rather big feat since he's somewhat kitchen challenged.  But the turkey turned out fine and we went to deliver the turkey and I remember how the family was extremely grateful and thankful for his act of kindness. It's a happy memory I'll never forget.

Earlier this week my coworker Christine mentioned that she had gotten approval to have fruit delivered to our office bimonthly. Starting next Tuesday, we'll start to get shipments of fresh fruit for everyone to share. I thought this was a great act of kindness on her behalf to work toward getting us healthy and happy!

This morning our department head Carrie brought in bagels which she occasionally does and it's always a nice surprise. I never can get my act together in the morning for breakfast so coming to work and finding bagels waiting is truly a nice thing.

I remember a story my friend Laura told me about making cupcakes once for a coworker who was leaving. This coworker wasn't particularly well liked but she was leaving and Laura took it upon herself to bake some cupcakes for a mini celebration. Everyone deserves to be appreciated now and then.

Now if you'll excuse me...I have to go finish eating my bagel. :)

I'd like to introduce a new feature to the Kindness Report. Not only will Emma and I be continuing to tell you about all things kind-related but I'll be also be posting stories/tidbits/insights and warm fuzzies from those that submit them to us. Fell free to send us your own kindness story as well!

This one comes from Kathy:

I take a group of 40-60 women to the mountains of NC the third week of October every year.  This year our theme was "The Giving Kind - Pay it Forward with Random Acts of Kindness".  I asked each lady to go out on one of our days and do a random act of kindness for a complete stranger.  This is really stretching it for some of our very shy, introverted ladies.  They are kind and they do nice things every day for people they know.  But, doing something for a complete stranger was difficult for some of them.  The last night of our retreat we shared our experiences.  What a wonderful blessing for these ladies to experience the fact that it is not about money, it is about giving.  Some gave money to the needy, some purchased something for a person waiting in line,  a couple of us volunteered to take another cabin's trash to the dumpster in pouring rain. 

The only sad report was the response of most of the recipients.  They were shocked, and wanted to know why someone would do something nice for no reason.  Hopefully by continuing our idea on a daily basis we can end some of the skepticism of the world today.

Kathy, I sometimes run into the same issue. People are so caught off guard that someone wants to help them that they can't but help be skeptical, wary or unsure as to what you are doing. But I agree if we can continue to show kindness, maybe we can overcome the skepticism.

What I found really encouraging is that your group was motivated to help others - even those that perhaps were a little less comfortable with the idea. I think the group environment has that peer pressure effect - you feel motivated and bolstered by the cheerleaders around you.

I often receive Friends & Family discounts for my favorite shopping destinations and sometimes I won't use the coupons. So I'll approach someone in line and say, "Would you like my coupon? I'm not going to use it."  This is often received as a surprise as well as a thanks. But it's incredibly intimidating for me to approach someone, especially a stranger! So kudos to your group for their acts of kindness!

Paper or plastic?  That's passe!  The "in" thing to do is to bring your own. This has been a long standing tradition with your more local supermarkets but larger supermarkets are now jumping on the bandwagon. Almost all the supermarkets I frequent now sell reusable bags for less than $1.

What I love about the Whole Foods that I visit near my office and home is that if you bring in reusable bags, they will either credit you 5 cents or ask you to donate 5 cents to one of their three charities that they are supporting.

Today I picked up my lunch and pudding and brought a bag with me. I chose to donate 5 cents to a local organization here in San Francisco that works to provide artistic and creative outlets for children. In the past I've chosen to donate my 5 cents to local chamber orchestras, street cleaning teams, envinromental groups, animal rights activist groups.

5 cents is pretty small but if everyone brings in a reusable bag, those nickels add up. Plus the added benefit of reusing, reducing and of course, recycling!

Here's a great act of kindness from my good friend Reese:

A while ago, I asked a friend to send me a specific song from her friend's band, but she ended up sending me the entire album without my having to ask, because she was so excited to share her friend's music with me. This act has been paid forward multiple times, as I've sent numerous tracks to some other friends. All in all, it's to help get my friend's friend's music out there, and I'm always willing to help a band out!

Thanks Reese! Giving is giving is giving I like to say. Because if you give, someone else will give and the ripple effect is in full motion!

Speaking of giving, my company is having a "girlie swap" next week. We're encouraged to bring slightly used makeup, personal care products (lotion, etc.) and books that we no longer want. Throughout the day, we can swap items and any items left over will be donated to women shelters. A little bit of spring cleaning and giving!

There are a million (and then some) ways to spread kindness with food.

One way is to bring a meal to a family that just had a baby.  I have just had a rash of friends and family having babies.  Although I couldn't bring a home-cooked meal to my cousin in San Diego or my girlfriends in Ypsilanti and Chicago, I have been able to feed three friends and their families here in St. Louis.  Of course, the same goes for someone who is home sick, has a very sick child, has just had a death in the family or if there are young families where one of the parents travels a lot....or, again, a million and one reasons to offer the gift of a home-cooked meal.

To take the kindness a step further, be sure to ask if there are any dietary restrictions (allergies) or dislikes in the family.  Case in point, my friend Emily here in St. Louis just had a baby (her third) and I was telling my mom that I was bringing Emily dinner.  She said that she wanted to bring Emily dinner, too.  She called & coordinated a day with Emily.  As my mom was telling me what she had prepared she listed chickpeas.  WARNING!  I said "Mom, Isaac is allergic to chickpeas---did you tell Emily that there were chickpeas in the pasta?"  As you can imagine, my mom felt horrible.  All of a sudden this thing she did out of the goodness of her heart made her worried, embarrassed, and concerned.  I talked with Emily and scoped out the situation, she said "Emma, it's fine.  Your mom did mention that there were chickpeas in the meal & so Isaac didn't have any.  She had gone to so much trouble, I didn't want to say anything." (another act of kindness on Emily's part.)

All in all, the kind gesture ended up in tact.  I have to say, though, that I think the allergy-thing is kind of new and folks in my mom's generation aren't used to thinking about or asking about it.  Also, after I had Lilah, my girlfriend Deidre made an amazing lasangna for us.  She had taped to the top of the lasagna all the ingredients (down to the spices) in the lasagna.  This would be a way to avoid allergy scenarios, too.

It's so gratifying, though, to share food from your kitchen with others when they are in need of home-cookin.'  I featured a few other ideas on cooking up kindness in a monthly email if you're hungry for other suggestions : )