I’m back and calling you to action
I took last Friday off, busy week and on Friday night, when I’m usually composing these posts, I was at Area Stage Company being wowed by my great niece Anne Marie Valcarcel who was on stage playing multiple roles in the production of “Newsies.”
Now that I’m back, I want to use this space to tell you about the great work being done by so many caring non-profit organizations in our Miami community it makes my head spin!
Each day as I read one of the many newsletters that flood my inbox and yes I’ll admit, as I scroll through social media, I discover a new non-profit or initiative that’s helping in some way, shape or form..
I want to introduce you to these and hope you’ll consider helping them in any way you can.
Miami Community Fridge managed by Buddy System MIA runs a network of refrigerators throughout Miami, an effort that continues expanding its reach. Completely volunteer driven, the fridges are stocked with fresh and frozen food for anyone to grab as needed. They are regularly managed, cleaned and re-stocked by those volunteers. Anyone is welcomed to drop off items, I went to the one of the ones located in Little Haiti just this past weekend. Check their Instagram page @miamicommunityfridge to find locations and learn about volunteer opportunities.
The Bookleggers Book Bike making the rounds in Miami. Photo courtesy of Bookleggers Library Instagram page.
Bookleggers Library who describe themselves as “a nonprofit mobile library that expands access to free books as a way to build community,” have two brick and mortar locations in Miami, one in Wynwood at the Bakehouse Art Complex and a recently opened one on Miami Beach, aside from their mobile library and book bike. Whichever location you find them, the rule is that when you visit you receive one free book. You can also trade a book for a book and buy any additional book for $2. I’m also hooked on their weekly Thursday night Instagram Live “Storytime for Grown-Ups” at 9 p.m. hosted by Robert Colom. Each week, different authors are invited to read their favorite poems, essays or excerpts from books. I’ve discovered some great authors since I started watching a few months ago. Click on the link if you’d like to watch any of the past episodes which they have featured on both their website and Instagram page @bookleggerslibrary.
Food Rescue US Miami whose Miami Director Ellen Bowen I met when we were seated together at a dinner, is an organization that rescues leftover fresh food from major events around Miami and brings it to organizations that want to receive food to feed the less fortunate. Think the Miami Open tennis tournament, the Super Bowl and major events at places like the Fontainebleau Hilton. Those are just a few of the places they work with, they’re always expanding their network. The headquarters are located in Connecticut, where Bowen is originally from and where she first got involved. Check out their Instagram page @foodrescueus.miami to see all the fantastic work they do and see how you can help!
Be The Change South Florida is my most recent discovery. Honestly, I can’t even remember where I saw them mentioned but this was another Instagram discovery. This grassroots group is taking donated produce, meat and pantry items, many of them leftovers that would normally be discarded, and creating ready to eat meals to drop off at community fridges around Miami. They’ve been working to stock those of the aforementioned Miami Community Fridge non profit. So nice to see these collaborations!
I encourage you to and hope you will click on the links I’ve provided. Read up and see how you can contribute, no contribution is too small. If you decide to help out, I’d love to hear about your experience. You can e-mail me at jgulliksen4@gmail.com and let me know.
As always, thanks for reading, supporting and subscribing!
Have a wonderful week and until next Friday, be well and always peace.
