I normally write about food -- my recipes, my cooking contest ideas, and feeding my son's band, among other frivolities. This past Saturday, I posted about the bounty I gleefuly lugged home from the Farmers Market. But today, I am displaying a different assortment of food items:

non-perishables that I will be bringing to a food drive that Temple Beth Emeth (2309 Packard, Ann Arbor) is sponsoring from August 10-13. And the food drive beneficiary? Our own local institution, Food Gatherers.

The need in our area is overwhelming and Food Gatherers has distributed enormous quantities of food in Washtenaw County, with ever-increasing demands. So, sadly, the resources have finally run out and, by its own admission, Food Gatherers says on its website: "We need more food." Money is also greatly appreciated, so that items can be bought to supplement donations. Whether you contribute by clicking here to donate online or mail a donation to the address below, anything you can do right now would be gratefully accepted.

Food Gatherers
P.O. Box 7971
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107-7971

Individuals, businesses, neighborhoods, and other entities are encouraged to hold food drives of their own; or donations can be dropped off at the People's Food Co-op, as well, at 216 N. Fourth Street in Ann Arbor.

I will still be at the Farmers Market tomorrow, supporting local growers. But I will also be at Temple Beth Emeth on Monday, supporting a local charity and my neighbors who don't have the good fortune to shop for a week's worth of bounty as I am grateful to be able to do ....

Mary Bilyeu has won or placed in more than 50 cooking contests, and writes about her adventures as she tries to win prizes, feeds hungry teenagers and other loved ones, and generally just has fun in the kitchen. The phrase "You Should Always Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured next to the blog's title) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15, and is a wish for all her readers as they cook along with her ... may you always be happy here!