Millions of Americans are at risk of losing SNAP benefits just before the holidays amid skyrocketing grocery prices. There's a lot to say here about politics, about greed, but I want to talk about gratitude.

Because while it might sound hokey until you read the studies, science supports that gratitude is a powerful tool for wellness. Actively looking for things to be grateful for (wildly, even if you don't find any!) impacts neurotransmitters and helps to shape the reward center of the brain, our decision making skills, and even the moral center of our brains. It keeps us happier, but physically healthier too - studies have found that participants who began actively practicing gratitude increased physical exercise and took better care of themselves than before.

So in a time when Americans have been kept so strategically unwell - so many of us without healthcare, a livable wage, a roof over our heads, etc. - there's something disturbingly on the nose about denying food to American citizens just before Thanksgiving. The holiday itself, of course, serves as a shiny veneer over a dark history of exploiting the oppressed on this soil, but it could be a time to reflect on the evil side of history and choose to stop repeating it, while actively practicing thankfulness over a hot meal with loved ones. Gratitude. Intention. Wellness. Nourishment. Community.

Let's show gratitude for our community now by making sure the food bank stays well stocked and our neighbors will be fed. Due to the food banks partnership with retailers, each one dollar raised can pay for four meals. Let's try and get 4,000 meals on 4,000 plates ❤️

Virtual food drives bring people together to fight hunger, no matter the circumstances. Thanks to our relationships with the food industry, we can acquire more food per dollar than the average person gets at the supermarket. Virtual food drives help your donation go further and feed more people.