Are you interested in engaging in some anonymous gifting? Perhaps you want to lend a helping hand to a friend or neighbor who is facing challenges in putting food on the table? If so, you’re in the right place! Here’s a delightful and meaningful way to Feed the Hungry while keeping your identity a secret.
Offering a family member or a friend their next meal is truly a wonderful gift. When you can provide the gift of warm food or arrange for food deliveries, you not only assist them but also make their food choices simpler. One great option is to deliver food anonymously to their doorstep. Just keep in mind that the food should be packaged in a way that it can last in a paper bag or basket, especially if they are not home when you drop it off.
Let me share a personal story that highlights the power of anonymous giving. During our second Christmas together, just one year after our first anniversary, we discovered we were expecting twins. The news was certainly overwhelming, especially since we were still struggling as poor college students, unsure of how we would manage the costs of twin babies or afford gifts and decorations for each other and our home.
One snowy morning, just five days before Christmas, we found a basket left on our porch. Inside was a hand-knit scarf and hat, The Ultimate Gift DVD, fresh apples and oranges, a ceramic angel, a tube of Tootsie Rolls, chocolate gold coins, popcorn, a Christmas bell, three boxes of Jell-O, body wash and body mist, and an envelope containing $220. We were utterly astonished and extremely grateful.
This was just the beginning of many anonymous gifts that our family would receive over the years. The next occasion occurred during a particularly difficult period for us. In November 2011, shortly before Thanksgiving, my husband was involved in a serious car accident. He T-boned another vehicle that ran a red light, totaling our one and only car and breaking his sternum, which left him unable to work for over a month.
Just weeks later, while at Walmart buying necessities like groceries and an ink cartridge, a lady who had checked out ahead of us lingered around and offered to pay for our groceries with her credit card, stating that we seemed like a nice family. Our bill totaled nearly $80. I remember crying in the checkout line, overwhelmed by her kindness. She had no idea about the struggles we were facing, yet her gesture blessed us immensely.
In December, we experienced the joy of receiving 12 Days of Christmas gifts from a Secret Santa, bringing little presents for us and our young twins each day, lifting our spirits during a challenging time. A few months later, on Valentine’s Day, we received another anonymous gift, a giant blue tub filled with everyday essentials like toiletries, personal care items, paper products, diapers, and more. Such gifts made a significant impact on our budget and eased our financial burdens.
Fast forward to February 2016, we encountered another act of kindness at the grocery store. A young woman in line ahead of us quietly purchased a $25 store gift card to apply to our order before slipping away. It was a beautiful gesture that reminded us of the kindness we once greatly relied upon.
By then, our financial situation had improved, and we were in a position to give back. Having been richly blessed by family, friends, church members, and anonymous givers throughout our journey, we felt compelled to pay it forward. We wanted to extend love and support to those in need, especially around the holidays.
This year, we learned of several families from our church struggling financially, and we aimed to ensure they had enough food for the holidays. Partnering with Boncom, we took part in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Christmas initiative called #LightTheWorld, which encourages acts of service throughout December.
On December 21, the focus was on the teaching from Matthew 25:35, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat.” Both physical and spiritual hunger can be addressed through acts of kindness. Last year, our homeschool co-op created Blessing Bags for the Homeless, a wonderful way to serve those who are less fortunate.
Some suggestions on how to Feed the Hungry include donating nonperishable food items to local food banks, cooking meals for friends in need, or simply sharing an uplifting message with someone seeking peace and hope. Our family decided to put together anonymous gift baskets filled with food and H-E-B gift cards.
We invited the Sister Missionaries to assist us with this project, as my husband is the new Ward Mission Leader.
- Sparkling grape juice
- 5lb bag of oranges
- Andes Mints
- Sugar cookie mix
- A mug filled with large chocolate-dipped marshmallows and spoons for hot chocolate
- $100 H-E-B gift card
Each basket was wrapped in clear snowflake cellophane and tied with a string. For one family, we even purchased three floor lamps and light bulbs, as their apartment was quite dark at night, and we knew they would be beneficial.
The most exciting part was delivering the baskets a few nights later! The missionaries joined us in our car, and we were filled with excitement and a bit of nervousness as we strategized how to drop off the baskets unnoticed, knock on the door, and dash back to the car without being seen. Thankfully, it was a foggy night, which added an element of stealth to our mission.
However, one family was outside when we passed by for the first time, so we had to circle back later. Another house had an open gate and an inner front door, with people watching TV just inside the glass screen door, making it quite tricky! The Sisters were our runners and relished the thrill of being sneaky while serving. Our kids found the whole experience delightful.
My daughter even shared that her favorite part was engaging in service, which truly embodies the spirit of the season. I love that this time of year inspires generosity and charity—traits that reflect what Christ would want to see in honor of his birth.
I encourage you to find a way to feed the hungry, whether this Thursday or beyond. Ensuring that others have food is a fundamental necessity that should never be overlooked.