Why I'm running the Boston Marathon for Community Cooks

I've written a lot about why I'm running the marathon for Community Cooks. But late last week, it became clearer than day why Community Cooks is so important to me and to the community.

Sophia

I've been traveling a lot for work lately. Dave and the kids have been dropping me off at the airport. On one of the billboards by the tunnel, there is a picture of a sad looking little girl, just about Sophia's age, looking out at the landscape. The billboard was for a local food bank organization (I believe it's the Greater Boston Food Bank).

On a trip last week, Sophia asked me "Mom - why does that little girl on the sign look so sad?" and my reply was "Because she doesn't have enough food to eat." Sophia was pensive for a bit and said, "Well, we should help kids like that. That's not very fair." Yes, Sophia, we should and we do, through Community Cooks.

A few days later as we were walking to school, we walked by the Community Cooks building where we drop off our meals each month. Sophia usually takes the walk with me and loves putting the food in the big refrigerator. As we were walking by, she said:

"There's where we drop off our Community Cooks food Mama! That is food for people like that little girl who don't have enough to eat, right?"

With tears in my eyes, I nodded.

"We should help them more Mama."

So I asked her what we should do.

"We should find out their favorite foods and cook it for them. Then they'll be happy."

(Me, in tears by this point, so proud of my little girl.) "That's a great idea Sophia. We should do that.

So this is why I volunteer and this is why I'm running. To set an example for my kids, to increase awareness of food insecurity in our community and to make a difference.

I hope you will support my efforts and help me reach my goal.