A few dozen Irish breads spread to neighbors, in a decorated wheelbarrow, to "celebrate the goodness of the day," has grown to become the international phenomenon, Spread the Bread.
Click to Washington Post article
Spread the Bread is a global grassroots bread-giving initiative that encourages our world to bake bread-any kind of bread-for others. The bread is wrapped with love and tied with a thoughtful expression of hope or “happy good wishes.” (The breads are as diverse as the expressions of hope and happiness.) The breads are then collected and delivered to heroes or to help those in need.The most important thing to know about creating your own Spread the Bread program is the idea behind it. It was begun as a way to involve kids in charitable giving at an early age so that they would see it as a way of life. Eventually this idea evolved into a mission statement: Spread the Bread is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to nurture children's innate generosity with the goal of sparking a life-long commitment to helping others. Children are provided with opportunities to practice volunteerism by baking bread and offering it to their heroes and those in need, such as seniors, shelter residents and food pantry consumers. Adults are supported in their efforts to teach children about the importance of charitable giving and community participation.Bread recipients are given a homemade loaf of bread and the message that they have been remembered. For bakers and recipients, “bread-spreading” promotes respect for the importance and dignity of each member of society. The great thing about spread the Bread is that anyone can do it. There’s a role for anyone who wants to be a part of it – whether it’s organizing, baking, delivering, etc. We just encourage you to invite kids and families to be involved in whatever way they can.Also, you can make a difference with just a few loaves.You don’t have to worry about running a huge bread drive.
There's something about bread that inspires, defines and unites us all.
Do you know a hero? Maybe it's someone serving in the military or a veteran. Maybe it's a coach, teacher, a parent, a member of the police, fire department. You define your hero, and then honor them with a decorated loaf of bread.
Are you praying for someone who is sick? Are you remembering someone who has passed away? Spread prayer breads and memorial breads to celebrate their invincible spirit.
Do you know someone in need of food, a smile, some comfort or a ray of hope? Spread bread to celebrate the goodness found in each day.
Learn more about the Kiefer sisters and how they began this bread project back in the late 1990s when they began baking and spreading their grandmother's Irish bread to others....
GREAT thanks to the Founding KIDS COUNCIL MEMBERS: Katie Stack, Caroline Stack, Brendon Stack, Ian Stack, Brianna Fay, Liam Fay, Nick Fay, Quinn Fay, John Connor Murtagh, Brain Murtagh, Courtney Murtagh, Kate Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Maggie Kennedy, Jenny Lidington, Andrew Lidington, Megan Pierce, Molly Pierce, McKenna Kiefer, Madison Kiefer, Emma Kiefer, Rosie Kiefer
HOW DO YOU SPREAD BREAD? How do you spread bread? Make a loaf of bread, any kind of bread. Wrap the bread like a gift, and add a note, artwork or poem. Then, offer the bread back into your community to help the sick, the needy or to honor a hero. Where can you spread bread? Local fire and police stations, nursing homes, food pantries, shelters, meals on wheels programs, hospitals, neighbors and friends. It begins with the first loaf.... now, thousands and thousands of breads have been spread across this land. Who spreads bread? Schools, teachers, scouts, communities, church groups, organizations, sports teams, individuals, families... Honor Breads-are breads tied with a note that honor our heroes: police, firefighters, veterans, soldiers, etc. Prayer Breads-are breads tied with a note that ask for prayers for someone who is ill. Memorial Breads-are breads tied with a note that celebrates the life of a person who has passed on
Because of the visionary leadership of Jerri Nelson and Susan Patten, Senior Girl Scout Troop 23 and Cadette 5 from Seoul, South Korea, Troop 5 Osan, South Korea, Senior Troop from Daegu, South Korea, as well parents and friends, celebrated peace and fellowship in a two-day Spread the Bread event. The breads were spread to local military hospitals, and area shelters.
