It’s an unfortunate fact, especially during the holiday season, that an estimated 25 percent of the children in Washington suffer from hunger. Across the nation, food security is becoming more dire.
There simply are not enough government services to provide for the less fortunate and a growing number of Americans need the services of volunteer food banks and shelters — particularly in big cities.
In Seattle, a marijuana retail store and a cannabis farm are teaming up with a a food bank to help those in need.
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Origins Recreational and Gold Leaf Gardens in partnership with the West Seattle Food Bank, have launched a “Feed our Future” campaign that will run throughout the month of December. Proceeds from every Gold Leaf purchase will go to support West Seattle Food Bank’s “Backpack” program that serves underprivileged children.
“Cannabis is really about community and bringing people together. We hope this program influences other cannabis companies to become more involved in their local communities.” said Sean Miller, managing partner of Origins.
The goal of the two marijuana companies is to purchase 1,290 meals, translating to 215 backpacks with 6 meals each for children in the West Seattle area.
Every year, the West Seattle Food Bank feeds over 9,300 individuals, including 3,600 children. The Backpack program partners with 13 local West Seattle schools to provide 300 school children six healthy, kid-friendly meals weekly for the weekend.
Food security —which means access to enough safe and nutritious food at all times to live an active, healthy lifestyle — is a serious issue. Poor nutrition can lead to serious health and cognitive consequences for children.
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Research shows that hungry kids have a tougher time concentrating and have more behavioral problems than those who are well nourished. The West Seattle Food Banks started the Backpack program to ensure that all school children in the community have the healthy and nutritious food they need.
The concept is simple: children at risk of weekend hunger receive a “backpack” consisting of six balanced meals that are kid-friendly, nutritious, nonperishable, and easy to prepare/eat.
Origins Recreational is located at 4800 40th Ave SW, Seattle. Origins hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about Origins Recreational and their Origins Certified seal please visit http://www.originsrec.com or call (206) 922-3954.
Even Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder support the Food Bank.
Highway is an essential source for cannabis science, how-to stories and demystifying marijuana. Want to read more? Thy these posts: The Majority Of Americans Now Want Legal Marijuana, Seattle’s Swankiest Marijuana Store Opens Its Doors, and Opioids Out, Cannabis In, Top Medical Research Journal Says.
