I think I can speak for many when I say that the past few months (and two weeks) have really put iife’s priorities into focus; I have always had an eye toward justice but now it has become primal. I have been lucky enough to never wonder where my next meal might come from; right now I’m seeing my community cry out en masse, more than I’ve ever seen, just for the very basics.
Look, Mom!
What if your amateur art (or that of your messy nightmare kids) could help feed the hungry? I’ve made some coloring sheets for kids AND adults that you can download - and if you pay for them, you’ll be helping feed hungry New Orleanians. If you can’t pay, use the code COLOR at checkout and they will be free.
Since this crisis started, my friends at Toups’ Meatery (with the help of World Central Kitchen) have been feeding anyone who asks without question. The “without question” partt is critical - if you want help from the government, you have to prove yourself worthy. When I see people ask for help online, they often feel they must qualify it by telling the story of why they are in trouble and all the things they have tried before asking for help.
I wish they didn’t feel the need to prove their worthiness. Everyone is worthy of help. It’s difficult to ask for help, and I can't imagine there is some huge number of people asking who don’t really need it.
This is why “no questions asked” is an important factor when I am trying to find causes to support right now. Proving worthiness is a giant task when it comes to need-based aid; people fall through the cracks. Plus, it’s rare that mental health needs (even just temporary exhaustion) “count” toward need-based help. Those who cannot sustain constant productivity need food, too.
Many of us who are lucky enough not to worry about this are suffering emotionally and mentally because the COVID crisis is so heavy; it’s not like the hungry don’t also have that burden. Everyone is worthy of mental relief.
Which brings me back to coloring: did you know that it is super-duper good for your mental health? Maybe it’ll calm your feral children for a few minutes, too.
Like my first set of coloring sheets, these are on a pay-if-you-can basis. If you pay, all the money will go toward the Toups’ efforts here in New Orleans. If you can’t, use the code COLOR at check-out and enjoy a very effective de-stressing activity. Note: they are food-themed and, um, not vegetarian.
Also, I named them.
There are countless other organizations doing this good work in New Orleans, no questions asked.
Red Beans Parade (Feed The Second Line NOLA)
And here is a relaxing video to get you in the mood to color.