Category: general-blog

By Julia Dao, Pebble Tossers

Tell us who you are! What made you want to start Dylan’s Bake Shop, when did you first get involved with baking, and why is it important to you?
Dylan Forbes-Roberts. I’ve been baking with my family since I was a little kid; used to have to stand on a chair or something, and they would let me mix random things in a bowl. I started to get more proficient at it with time, and eventually, I got to make my own things and literally bring something of mine to the table.

When I was about 8-9, I asked my mom how the business worked, and she said she’d let me find out. My dad made me a sign, and I made some cookies, and they put me on the street corner. That was pretty much how it started. 

What made you want to share that experience at the Agape Way breakfast service?
I just felt like it was something more that I could do. I already do it [baking] a lot at home, so I thought, “Why not just bring something else?” It’s the least I could do. And I not only enjoy baking, but I enjoy spreading the good energy among those less fortunate. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of your time volunteering?
Getting to meet new people and gain new perspectives on life.

What have you learned through your experience at Agape Way?
I learned how to communicate, appreciate what I have, and learn that not everything is given and that it is important to do the work necessary to gain insight and wisdom from people who know what it’s like to be on this Earth.

What do you want people to learn from your story?
Anyone can do it,  really. Anyone with any passion or hobby can find some way to help someone else out or brighten someone else’s day by doing something they enjoy.

Are there any future plans or events for Dylan’s Bake Shop that you are excited about?
Besides providing for the community, I can’t really think of anything.

Share where people can support your business!
@dylansbakeshop on Instagram

As November arrives, we celebrate the fall harvest and the year’s blessings. Anticipation fills the air as we prepare to gather with loved ones, devour Thanksgiving feasts, and enjoy football on the couch. November is a season of togetherness and festivity, yet it also prompts us to reflect on those less fortunate.

Did you know, 10.7% of Atlantans face the daily struggle of not having enough to eat? In Georgia, 1 in 9 adults and 1 in 8 children face hunger and food insecurity. Food insecurity is not having access to enough food to maintain a healthy and active life. 

Many of us experience feeling hungry after skipping a meal or two. We may feel cranky, tired, and irritable, and it can be hard to focus and finish our work. Fortunately, we can satisfy our hunger with a quick trip to the kitchen or grocery store. For others, it is hard to predict when or where they will get their next meal. This can cause them not to feel their best and can result in significant health issues.  

How does hunger impact children? 

Hunger can make it difficult for children to perform well in the classroom. It can also affect their behavior. Hungry students are more likely to: 

• have less energy 
• repeat a grade 
• have lower math scores 
• be late to school or miss school entirely 
• be more easily distracted and less interested in schoolwork
• suffer from chronic health conditions like asthma, anemia, and obesity

According to No Kid Hungry, as many as 9 million children in the United States live in “food insecure” homes. 

How can Pebble Tossers help end childhood hunger? 

Youth and families can help end childhood hunger by volunteering with our partner, The Sandwich Project. 

The Sandwich Project’s mission is to combat food insecurity in our community, foster a sense of togetherness, and ensure that no one goes without the necessity of nourishing food. Volunteers work together to create and deliver fresh homemade sandwiches to large and small nonprofit organizations. 

How to Volunteer with The Sandwich Project

Volunteering is easy, and you can participate from the comfort of your home and at a time that works best for you. 

Step 1: Register via our volunteer + nonprofit platform and choose a week you and your family or group want to make and deliver your sandwiches.

Step 2: Download our sandwich guide How-To Action Sheet 

Step 3: Purchase the materials listed on the sandwich guide

Step 4:  Make your sandwiches the night before your scheduled delivery date

Step 5: Engage in the conversation starter prompts and reflection questions on the action sheet during and after making the sandwiches 

Step 6: Deliver your sandwiches 

Step 7: Repeat steps 1-6

How does hunger impact adults?

People living in urban areas, rural areas, and low-income neighborhoods may not have grocery stores close to them. This means their diets may lack a healthy variety of fresh foods and nutritious meals. Eating foods lacking in nutrition can lead to diseases such as: 

• diabetes
• hypertension
• heart disease 
• obesity

People experiencing hunger may have to choose between paying a bill, buying medication, and purchasing groceries. 

How can Pebble Tossers help improve food insecurity?

You can help improve food insecurity by volunteering with our partner, Open Hand. 

Open Hand is one of the largest community-based providers of medically tailored meals in the U.S. They not only cover food insecurity which focuses on quantity, but they focus on nutrition insecurity, which emphasizes quality. Their meals are prepared, cooked, and delivered to improve health outcomes. 

All their services are free to their clients, as more than 90% are from historically marginalized backgrounds. Without the help of wonderful volunteers like you, they would not be able to support the amount of people they serve. 

Open Hand’s impact is so significant that one-third of their clients report that, if not for Open Hand, they would have no idea where their next meal would be coming from. 

How to volunteer with Open Hand 

You can volunteer with Open hand by registering via our volunteer + nonprofit platform. Simply select a shift that works best for you. Open Hand is always in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals and volunteer support with packing meals in the Open Hand kitchen. 

Pebble Tossers Impact  

Hunger is more than just an empty stomach, it can also affect education and health. By volunteering with The Sandwich Project and Open Hand, we can ensure that everyone has access to healthy meals. This November, let us not only celebrate our blessings but also share them with those who need them most, making this season truly one of gratitude and compassion.

 

Written by Lauren Green, MSN, MBA, RN 

Freelance Health Writer, Emerald Health Content 

Food Accessibility, Insecurity and Health Outcomes (nih.gov)

Food Insecurity – Healthy People 2030 | health.gov

Child Hunger in America | Save the Children

USDA ERS – Key Statistics & Graphics

Facts About Childhood Hunger in America (nokidhungry.org)

Nutrition & Wellness – Atlanta Community Food Bank (acfb.org)

 

Anticipation grew in my heart as I added another layer of clothing and wondered who I would talk with. The temperature for January 23rd was expected to drop below 30 degrees overnight, and I knew we would not be stopping anywhere to get warm as we walked the streets of downtown Atlanta from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am.

The Point-in-Time count sends volunteers onto the streets across the country to determine the number of unsheltered people. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities that receive federal funds to conduct an annual count of all unsheltered people in the last week of January. The timing of the count is intentional. The weather at the end of January is typically very cold, and, for some, any financial assistance they had will be depleted by the end of the month, so they likely will not have sheltered housing.

Working towards ending homelessness across the country, the Point-in-Time counts help determine the scope of homelessness in communities and inform policymakers and program administrators of which programs are working or where there are gaps in services. The PIT count began collecting data in 2005, and the results have increased public awareness and directed resources to the unsheltered. 

The Atlanta PIT count, organized by Partners for Home, brings together volunteers from numerous nonprofits who focus on those experiencing homelessness, community members, and local officials. “This gives us better insight into the number of people experiencing homelessness on one night of the year, on their length of homelessness, their history of homelessness and some other challenges and barriers that they might be facing,” says Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for Home. “It’s a data snapshot that helps inform our work.” 

Volunteers head into the city armed with $10 Chick-fil-A gift cards and seek out unsheltered people to answer questions about their time on the streets. We start by introducing ourselves and asking their names. We quickly ask questions about how long they have been unsheltered, if they have any chronic illnesses or disabilities, if they have served in the military, and other demographic information. The questions are personal and invasive. We ask for forgiveness with the Chick-fil-A gift card, but most people don’t mind answering the questions. They are brutally honest and straightforward.

Carrying backpacks filled with blankets, coats, caps, gloves, socks, hygiene kits, and snacks, we were a welcome sight to those we encountered. I was surprised that most of the people I spoke with were men in their 50s and 60s who had been chronically homeless with absolutely no source of income or public assistance. During the 2022 PIT count, I encountered more men in their 30s who were just recently homeless. When I asked one man if he would like to go to a Warming Center, he responded with a smile, “Why? I’ve got a nice tent right here. I’m fine.” He graciously accepted a warm blanket.

Others shared stories of domestic abuse, drug addiction, and job loss, leading to their life on the street. We listened and smiled and tried our best to let them know they were valued. Our team of seven was led by Matthew Reed, a social worker specializing in Homeless Outreach for Intown Collaborative Ministries. Matthew knows the area we canvassed and reached out in advance to several people so they could expect us. He warmly embraced people, and it was clear there was a relationship built on trust. Matthew shared, “It was very humbling to observe the grace and kindness that radiated from our team. Interacting with folks during the PIT can be odd at times. Yet being prepared with gifts and a gentle spirit, I found our meetings to be dignified and restorative.”

Our team was the last to return back around 2:30 am. We were tired, cold, and very grateful that we had a warm bed to return home to that night. I anticipated falling asleep immediately, but my mind raced with questions and concern. There are so many circumstances that lead to chronic homelessness. The lack of affordable housing, the lack of adequate and accessible health care (both physical and mental health), education inequalities in low-income areas, and a lack of jobs that pay a livable wage are systemic issues facing the country. 

The next day, I picked up more blankets donated by a Pebble Tossers family and set off to find a few people who had not received a blanket the night before. While I could not find those people we met, I found others who were excited to have warm blankets. One woman exclaimed joyfully, “My dog and I were so cold last night – thank you!”  

It is easy to feel helpless when it looking at the broader issue of homelessness in our country. But if we approach things one issue at a time, it is easier to see a path that may end this crisis. What is next, and what can we do? 

• We can advocate for a shift in federal and state resources toward funding affordable housing that provides supportive services. 
• We can donate resources and time to nonprofits that work with those experiencing homelessness. 
• We can research and support organizations that provide a coordinated approach by offering temporary housing, rapid rehousing, job training, and life skills training. 
• We can educate ourselves with factual data and eliminate bias based on stereotypes. 
• We can see and talk to people who are experiencing homelessness and not avoid them. Learn their name and say it back to them with a smile.

Additional resources: 

• Atlanta Winter Warming Resouces
• Invisible People – a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. 
• Homelessness and Poverty Definitions and Key Questions
• HowTo Sheet: Make No-Sew Fleece Blankets
• HowTo Sheet: Make Hygiene Kits
• HowTo Sheet: Make Sandwiches for Distribution
• Chapter Books on Homelessness
• Picture Books on Homelessness
• Books for Kids on Activism
• Addressing Structural Racism with Children

Pebble Tossers’ Nonprofit Partners Serving Those Experiencing Homelessness

• Agape Way
• Atlanta Mission: My Sister’s House
• CHRIS 180
• Covenant House Georgia
• Gateway Center
• Love Beyond Walls
• HOPE Atlanta
• Hope thru Soap
• Interfaith Outreach House
• Intown Collaborative Ministries
• Lost-n-Found Youth
• Period Project
• SafeHouse Outreach
• Zaban Paradies Center

Journal Prompt:

Read this quote and think about what it means and what you can do to “start in our own homes” to remedy poverty.

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” — Mother Teresa

2023. Written by Jennifer Guynn, Founding Executive Director of Pebble Tossers

For Younger Children: 

	Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and his Service Dog by Luis Carlos Montalvan, Bret Witter, and Dan Dion
	Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood by Valerie Pfundstein and Aaron Anderson
	H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet by Devin Scillian and Victor Juhasz
	Hero Mom by Melinda Hardin and Bryan Langdo
	Hero Dad by Melinda Hardin and Bryan Langdo

 

 

For Teens: 

 

	American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott
	Beneath Wandering Stars by Ashlee Cowles
	Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac
	Heroism Begins with Her: Inspiring Stories of Bold, Brave, and Gutsy Women in the U.S. Military by Winifred Conkling and Julia Kuo

 

If you do wish to order these books, please contact or visit The Little Shop of Stories in Decatur. This charming local buiness specializes in youth and teen books and their Booksellers would be happy to order any book from this list. 

 

Five Ways to Educate Yourself on Veteran Resources in your Community: 

• Job Training Programs available through the Veterans Affairs Office
  • The VA partners with various major companies in the US to provide job training and employment opportunities to returning service members. Here is a list of the different programs offered by the VA; partnered companies include AT&T, General Dynamics, Prudential, and more. 
• PTSD Service Dogs and Veterans
  • This is an informative and helpful article on the importance of service dogs for many veterans. Learning more about this topic is an excellent avenue to teach your children about the sacrifices many veterans make and the close bond they share with service dogs. 
• Infographic on Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
  • This infographic is a good representation of the statistical facts about veterans facing homelessness. It includes information on the differences between subcategories of homeless veterans as well as presenting writeups on the most prominent challenges facing these veterans. 
• Visit a Military Museum, Monument, or Memorial Park
  • The Metro Atlanta Area has a wide variety of Military Attractions to see. There are parks, memorials, and museums of all sizes. Taking a trip to see these is a great way to educate yourself on Veteran history in your community. Here is a list of Military Attractions in the Metro Atlanta Area. 
• Learn the effects Military Service has on the families of Veterans
  • Family members of active-duty troops and returning service members have to make significant life adjustments. The temporary loss or drastic behavioral change of a parental figure can be extremely challenging and confusing for children. Educating yourself on the strain military service can sometimes put on families can help you be as supportive and understanding as possible. Here is an article that addresses situations like this. 

Looking for a way to expose everyone in the family to some of the fantastic arts and culture of Metro Atlanta? Pebble Tossers has put together a list of some of our favorite concerts, festivals, events, and performances that are unique to Atlanta! We have included a variety of summer events with the hope that everyone can find something that interests them. Check out some of these recommendations for a unique and fun day of learning from the perspective of some of Atlanta’s most talented musicians, artists, and storytellers.

• Mayor’s Summer Reading Club
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Concerts in the Park
• The Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s Summer Schedule
  • Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • The Merchant of Venice
• Saturday Roller Skate Days at Cook Park
• International Night Market at East Roswell Park
• Toddler Thursdays at the High Museum of Art 
• Atlanta Beltline Walking Tour with Trees Atlanta
  • Sunset Tour: Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Eastside Trail
  • Exploring the History and Trees of Morningside
  • Tree Tour: Art and Pollinators of the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail
• Piedmont Park Arts Festival
• Monthly Summer Birding at the Dunwoody Nature Center
• Chattahoochee Nature Center Ongoing Summer Events
  • Storytime by the River on Wednesdays
  • Sunset Sips Concert Series 
  • Butterfly Encounter
• Dunwoody Farmer’s Market on Saturdays
• Summer Author Talk at the Atlanta History Center
• Childrens and Young Adult Visiting Author Series at the Little Shop of Stories
• Summer Puppet Shows at the Center for Puppetry Arts
  • The Little Pirate Mermaid
  • The Tortise, the Hare & other Aesop’s Fables
• Atlanta Children’s Film Festival at Emory University

Ways to Make a Positive Impact in Metro Atlanta while Enjoying Arts and Culture this Summer: 

• Bring a small trash bag to every event you attend this summer. Festivals and concerts often draw a large crowd, and even larger piles of trash left behind. Help your community by staying after for a few minutes and picking up some trash.
• Carpool with friends and family to events! Going to an art exhibit at the park with some friends? Why not carpool! Not only does it save money on gas, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Research the causes the summer event supports. Many of the summer events listed above benefit a nonprofit organization or charity. Educating yourself on the missions of local nonprofits is a great way to learn the specific needs of those less fortunate in your community.  
• Donate your time or money to the causes supported by the Summer Event! Nonprofit organizations like Pebble Tossers are vital to many people and community efforts in Atlanta. The surest way to ensure we can continue to serve Metro Atlanta is by helping out for a few hours on a weekend volunteer project or contributing whatever you can. Here is a link to our Service Calender and our donation page. 
• Bring a reusable water bottle! Eliminating the need for disposable bottles and cups on those hot summer days is an easy way to be a responsible attendee of any summer event.
• Pack some care packages for anyone experiencing homelessness at the event. Many of these free events, like summer concert series, attract a few members of the community experiencing homelessness. Having a few homemade care packages to distribute is a great way to support those in need in your area. Here is a link to an article detailing what to include in a Care Package.

 

This month’s cause area, Arts and Culture, can be applied to so many different artistic styles, movements, and nonprofit organizations. That is why Pebble Tossers has put together this list of resources covering as much of Atlanta’s broad arts and culture scene as we could. We hope you enjoy looking through these articles, infographics, and videos; and that you can learn something new about the importance of the arts! 

1. Understand the Unique Makeup of the Atlanta Art Scene

Artbase’s Dan Ketchum discusses why Atlanta is critical to the American Arts Scene in a recent article and showcases the importance of the Atlanta art scene. He provides some great recommendations for places to visit in the city as well as ways to support local artists and museums. 

 

2. Familiarize yourself with Local Artists

This article from Atlanta Magazine shines a light on three prominent artists in the metro Atlanta area. It also shows some examples of their work and where to see some of their displayed art. Jezebel Magazine provides another piece showcasing the work of seven additional Atlanta-based artists.

 

3. Maximize your Museum Trips

Going to a large Museum for the first time can be overwhelming or intimidating. This article contains some great tips on getting the most out of your Museum trip and provides an insider tip from Nick Gray, founder of Museum Hack, to “Walk the space, understand where things are, what you might be interested to come back and see, and then, go to the cafe.”Try out some of these suggestions at Atlanta’s excellent Art Museums! 

 

4. Find out how Public Art Benefits your City

Can the arts help your mental health? Yes! Magazine provides an interesting discussion on the importance of Public Art for community well being. As we mentioned in an earlier blog, Atlanta has a wide variety of murals and public art to check out. Read up on the positive benefits that impressive artwork provides to help you feel inspired and envigorated. You can also watch this short video on the career of Atlanta-born muralist Alex Brewer. 

 

5. Educate yourself on the Arts throughout History

Familiarizing yourself with Art History may seem complicated and time-consuming, but understanding the story behind what you’re looking at can vastly improve the experience of a Museum visit. This infographic from Lori McNee tracks the different art movements throughout history starting with Prehistoric art from 40,000 B.C. and hopefully will give you a better idea of what to look for on your next visit.  

 

6. Visit some of Atlanta’s best Street Art

Atlanta has been developing a reputation for amazing street art. Pebble Tossers’ section of the Atlanta BeltLine has two outstanding examples. Atlanta Magazine provides a great list containing the best street art in Atlanta, organized by neighborhood. It also includes some helpful information about the artists responsible for the artwork. This would be a neat article to go over before planning a trip to any of Atlanta’s neighborhoods. Pebble Tossers has been proud to work directly with local artist Wallace Kelly on public art projects with Livable Buckhead.

 

7. Reflect on why Art is Important to You 

This is an interesting opinion piece from Tunedly on the importance of Art and individuality in our society. While some of these points were brought up in previous Pebble Tossers blogs, the writer also makes some excellent new points that “art helps us emotionally, financially, psychologically, and even helps to shape individual and collective personality”

 

8. Check out more resources from Pebble Tossers

You can visit the June Cause Area section of our website for more ideas on ways to benefit your community through acts of service. It is updated monthly with new resources relevant to the monthly cause area.