Hourigan’s Post

Why a £3billion pound Sandwich shop gave me a Free Meal? Last Saturday, after volunteering to feed families and children in my community, I drove about 30 miles to another town, still wearing my volunteer shirt. As I walked into a sandwich shop 🥪🥪🥪, the person at the counter recognized me as part of the Gillingham S.T.R.E.E.T Angels, a group dedicated to feeding families and children in the community ensuring no child goes to bed hungry. When I went to pay, he insisted, "No, take it for free." He explained that Pret a Manger, the company he worked for, supports the homeless through food giveaways. Lesson Learned: Corporate Kindness: This experience showed me that even big companies like Pret a Manger are compassionate and actively support their communities. Building Loyalty: Acts of kindness, like providing free meals to volunteers, not only support those in need but also build loyalty and goodwill within the community. It's inspiring to see how businesses can make a positive impact beyond their products or services. What does your brand mean to you? How are you contributing to your community? Let's celebrate and encourage kindness and generosity in all forms. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world. Pano Christou Ceo Pret Manger...please give this youngman a 📞....he showed me true value of coporate kindness...at the Ashford branch. #CorporateKindness #CommunitySupport #Volunteerism #SocialImpact

Total full circle moment! We’ve just launched the strategic planning process for the Ottawa Food Bank. The full circle moment: Ayoub (my brother and partner in goodness) and I used to volunteer there growing up! 🥰 Before he was born, our family used to use their services! 🙏🏾❤️ Now, I come home to this newsletter from my community association, inviting me to volunteer in a different way. Like many of the organizations I feel fortunate to work with, I like highlighting their work, so here it is: 🍎 The Ottawa Food Bank is more than just a food supplier; it’s the backbone of a vast network of community partners, including food programs, emergency shelters, community housing, and more. Having worked with a lot of its partners, it feels like I'm seeing another piece of the puzzle which as a systems thinker, I'm so grateful for! 🤤 🍎They support 112 member agencies across the city, ensuring that vulnerable community members have access to nutritious food. Their reach extends far beyond their own walls, leveraging partnerships to amplify impact and address food insecurity on a larger scale so we've employed a process that allows us to capture the input from everyone! 🍎Finally, last fall I was mindblown by their Hunger Report (link in comments). It is one of the best communication tools I've seen. It’s not just a report; it’s an incredibly effective way to communicate the realities of food insecurity in Ottawa. The report captures data, personal stories, and the broader systemic issues, making it a powerful tool to inform, engage, and mobilize the community. It is also visually captivating and has inspired a lot of how I do things. Blessed Thursday! #foodinsecurity #nonprofit #volunteer #community Sayid Consulting Inc.

🎉Today is day three of celebrating 12 incredible years of Seventh Sense Consulting!🎉 As we reflect on this milestone, we’re reminded of the power of community and the profound impact we can make when we come together to support one another. At Seventh Sense Consulting, giving back isn’t just a part of what we do – it’s at the core of who we are. As we celebrate 12 years of Seventh Sense Consulting, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible team, partners, and clients who have supported us on this journey. Together, we’ve built more than just a business – we’ve built a community dedicated to making the world a better place. From education and health research to small non-profits supporting no-kill animal shelters and local food pantries, we’re committed to making a difference where it matters most. But our dedication to giving back goes beyond financial contributions. We believe in rolling up our sleeves and actively participating in the causes we care about. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer all our members a special day off to engage in a day of community service that’s close to their hearts. Whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, cleaning up a neighborhood park, or mentoring youth, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Here’s to many more years of growth, innovation, and giving back! 🌟 #SeventhSenseConsulting #CommunityFirst #GiveBack #12YearsStrong #CommunityImpact #GivingBack #SeventhSenseCares

One of the best things about being a #BCorp and working for Ella's Kitchen is that we get to use our success as a business to help make the world a better place for little ones. This means that we invest a lot into our partnerships with amazing charities like Action for Children and the RSPB and also in running some cool advocacy campaigns to help create positive changes for little ones. We do it because we believe that every business has a responsibility to make a better future for the next generation.   That's why I was so proud last night to have one of these advocacy campaigns recognised by the PRCA Public Affairs Awards, in the ‘Best In-House Consultancy Collaboration’ category, for our work with PLMR on Eat.Play.Love – our sensory food play campaign!   We launched #EatPlayLove after evidence showed that children who explore fruit and vegetables using all their senses are more likely to try, and even learn to love, these foods - creating healthy habits that could last a lifetime. And when only 18% of children eat the recommended 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, its clear that something has to change!   The campaign saw us work with academics, early years practitioners and experts to draft our Eat.Play.Love policy paper which we then launched in Parliament, before bringing together over 5000 families to write to their local MP, asking for sensory food play to be taught in all early years settings. We then went one step further, and took sensory food play on the road visiting early years settings with our amazing Eat.Play.Love truck and free lesson plans for early years educators.   People sometimes ask why a food brand like Ella's decides to get involved in campaigns like this one, but when you see the difference they can make to people's lives - and the joy it can bring to little ones - my question is why more brands don't join us?  I'm proud to work for a company where success isn’t measured simply by the amount of money you make and that works to put little futures first, every day.   Massive well-done and congrats to everyone at Ella’s and PLMR. You Rock! #BTheChange

Those who know her, know that Mulberry's Liebie Du Plessis is a very enthusiastic supporter of Santa Shoebox Project, often encouraging clients, friends, and family to join in on a cause that brings so much joy to children in need during the festive season. Her love for this initiative runs deep — it's been more than 11 years, still going strong... even delivering shoeboxes to rural drop-offs on the way her wedding in the Western Cape when it was needed there! Every year, she volunteers as a gift checker in her local area, making sure that each box is filled with all the necessary goodies. "It’s a family tradition to decorate our boxes with care, teaching our son the importance of giving back and the impact of small acts of kindness." If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back this festive season, or get involved in your local community, why not get involved with the Santa Shoebox Project? Whether it’s pledging a box, volunteering at a drop-off, or simply spreading the word — every little bit makes a huge difference! Pledging has opened (so if you are a festive season enthusiast like our Liebie, this is the perfect way to set the tone for the run down to year-end). Whether it’s pledging a box, volunteering at a drop-off, or simply spreading the word — every contribution makes a significant difference! Learn more and get involved: www.santashoebox.org.za #santashoeboxproject #givingback #communitysupport #mulberrymarketing #festiveseason #makeadifference

Ever considered 'Adopting a Family'? That's what Every Day is a Miracle does on the daily. On any given week, they serve anywhere from 60-80 hungry families, in a single WEEK!🍝 Did you know that 1 in 3 children and 3 in 5 adults face food insecurity in the Bronx? By providing residents with access to nutritious foods, this incredible nonprofit aims to eliminate food scarcity and insecurity one household at a time. How? By offering the following invaluable resources to those in need within the Bronx: 🍚 Food Choice Pantry 🍴 SNAP Screening and Application ⚖️ Health Buck Coupons 🌱 Access to Gardening I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to provide marketing strategy support to Every Day is a Miracle through Taproot Foundation. Working on their 'Adopt a Family' fundraiser was a truly rewarding experience. It was inspiring to connect with Natia Bueno, their wonderful Development and Communications Manager. Her dedication to the cause and passion for the mission brightened up the whole room!🌟 Here are some solutions we discussed to amplify their campaign's reach: 1. Social Media Campaign: - Platforms: Focus on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for their wide reach and engagement potential. - Content: Share stories and testimonials of families who have been helped by similar initiatives. Use compelling images and short videos. - Hashtags: Create a unique and catchy campaign hashtag, e.g., #FeedAFamily2024, to increase visibility. - Call to Action: Encourage followers to donate, share, and use the hashtag. 2. Email Marketing: - Audience: Reach out to existing donor base and newsletter subscribers. - Content: Send personalized emails with a clear and urgent message about the campaign. Include success stories, infographics, and links to donate. - Follow-Up: Send thank-you emails to donors and update them on the progress and impact of their contributions. 3. Local Media: - Press Releases: Send press releases to local newspapers, radio stations, and TV channels. - Interviews: Arrange interviews with key campaign representatives to share the campaign's mission and goals. - Community Events: Partner with local events to promote the campaign and engage with the community directly. 4. Website and Blog: - Landing Page: Create a dedicated campaign landing page with detailed information about the campaign, donation options, and real-time updates. - Blog Posts: Publish regular blog posts highlighting the campaign’s progress, including stories from beneficiaries and behind-the-scenes looks at operations. 5. Collaborations and Partnerships: - Influencers: Collaborate with local influencers and bloggers to spread the word about the campaign. - Corporate Partnerships: Reach out to local businesses for sponsorships and matching donation programs. Any other ideas to help promote this campaign? Let me know in the comments💬 #NonProfit #EndFoodInsecurity #CommunityImpact https://edmnyc.org/

Tackling Summer Hunger with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin 🌞 Summer should be a time for kids to play, explore, and enjoy the sunshine. But for many families in Eastern Wisconsin, it's also a season of uncertainty. When school cafeterias close, thousands of children lose their most reliable source of nutritious meals. This is where Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin steps in. Did you know? - 1 in 9 people in Eastern Wisconsin face hunger. - Summer is one of the most challenging times for families struggling with food insecurity. But together, we can make a difference! Here are three impactful ways you can help: 🍎 **Donate Food**: Non-perishable items like canned fruits, vegetables, and proteins are always in high demand. Check your pantry or organize a neighborhood food drive. 💵 **Donate Cash**: Every dollar donated helps provide meals to those in need. Even a small contribution can have a huge impact. 🤝 **Volunteer**: Join us for a volunteer session at one of our food banks. Whether you’re sorting donations or packing boxes, your time and effort make a big difference. If you're inclined to take action and help us ensure that every kid in our community has something to eat this summer, please visit www.feedingamericawi.org to learn more about how you can help. Let's ensure that no one in our community goes hungry this summer. Together, we can fight hunger and provide hope. #SummerHunger #EndHunger #CommunitySupport #FeedingAmericaEasternWI #Volunteer #Donate #FoodMemories

GCH empowers families to achieve self-sustainability by teaching them how to fish instead of just giving them fish. Through financial literacy, parenting, and nutrition education, GCH helps build lasting positive habits. Support this incredible non-profit and make a difference! #CommunitySupport #FinancialLiteracy #NonProfit #SelfSustainability #PositiveChange

Every. Moment. Matters. In the world of service and philanthropy, we often focus on the act of giving – our time, resources, love, and hope. But what if we paused to consider the other side of this equation: the act of receiving? We know that every act of service, no matter how small, creates a ripple of impact. When we pause to consider the gifts that we receive…a sense of purpose, a moment of connection, a feeling of making a tangible difference in an overwhelming world…the impact becomes far greater. This perspective shift can be incredibly empowering. When we understand that in giving, we also receive, we open ourselves up to the full experience of service. We receive gratitude, lessons in humility, and a deeper connection to our community and humanity. It helps us recognize that our small actions are not just drops in the ocean; they are part of a larger, more beautiful tapestry of interconnectedness. So, as we continue to give, we should also be more open to receiving, right? I’m making a conscious commitment to bring more awareness to receiving so that I can embrace the joy, the learning, and the fulfillment that comes with it. Because in the grand scheme of things, every act of service is a two-way street, enriching both the giver and the receiver. Thank you Providence Health Plan and Oregon Food Bank for the opportunity today to give our time and to also receive the blessing of connection and understanding that every moment matters. #GivingAndReceiving #HealthForAll #FoodForAll #NationalVolunteerWeek #EveryMomentMatters

🌟 Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Panther Party's Free Breakfast Program🖤 In 1968, under the leadership of Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton, the Black Panther Party initiated their groundbreaking Free Breakfast Program in West Oakland. What began modestly, serving 11 children on its inaugural day, quickly transformed into a vital lifeline for over 20,000 kids/day in 1968-1969, nationwide. Building on the success of the free breakfast program, the Panthers' Free Food Program established food pantries to support adults as well. Their commitment to nourishing the bodies and minds of their community members solidified their profound understanding that hunger is not just a physical condition but also a systemic injustice. The Panthers' initiatives transcended past food. They established free medical clinics staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical students, often housed in low-rent facilities donated by supportive community members. These clinics served as symbols of solidarity in neighborhoods underserved by traditional healthcare systems. Yet, the Panthers' impact extended beyond their direct services too. They leveraged their grassroots network to advocate for systemic change, rallying local businesses for donations and boycotting those who refused to participate in their effort to build community solidarity. Their efforts spoke volumes and represented the power of collective action. Though many aspects of their work were considered controversial in their time, today many recognize The Black Panther Party as powerful role models of community organization and activism that addressed systemic injustices like food insecurity long before many organizations like ours came into existence. Today, we honor their monumental contributions to fighting hunger in their communities. 💙 If you're interested in learning more about the work of the Black Panthers, we encourage you watch the incredible Oakland Museum's Black Panther documentary: https://lnkd.in/e_q4WjPE Photo credits (in order): Stephen Shames, William P. Straeter, Jones Pirkle, Stephen Shames, Howard Bingham #FoodJustice #FoodInsecurity #BlackPanthers #blackhistorymonth