This post is sponsored by Deep River Snacks. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that encourage my creativity and support my work.
A couple of weeks ago, we took the kids to the Gulf Coast Marine Center to learn about the environment and the preservation efforts being made in our area. That visit made an impact on my kids and immediately we began to have conversations about what we could do together, as a family, to make the area we live better.
We also gained an understanding of the role of marshlands, protecting the South Louisiana and Mississippi wetlands, how the Mississippi River land erosion and the Gulf of Mexico play a role in animal and plant life, and more.
On the drive home, the kids were excited about all the things they had learned and wanted to find a place to volunteer to make an impact in the environment.
We agreed on a “beach cleanup” at the Lakefront. It’s a beautiful beach area inside Fontainebleau State Park that we often frequent with the kids when the weather is warm. Why not clean up an area that we already love to enjoy?
Along with the trash bags (for the cleanup efforts) and sunscreen, I took a beach blanket and a variety of my family’s favorite snacks. Because you know, when in doubt, pack snacks. Everyone loves snacks!
Snacking at home is easy. I often make a big assortment board of snacks for all of us in the afternoon while we work on schoolwork. On the weekends, the board pretty much sits on the kitchen counter all afternoon.
For our afternoon of volunteering, I packed a variety of Deep River Snacks kettle chips and HONCHOS, my boy’s favorite. You’ve probably seen Deep River Snacks chips at your grocery or online (I buy them in bulk on Amazon). I love them is because they are the best tasting chips, made from simple, wholesome ingredients. They are non-GMO, gluten-free, and made in a nut-free facility. They contain zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
In addition to making great tasting snacks using ingredients you can feel good about eating (having the cleanest ingredient label is a huge priority), Deep River Snacks also focuses on doing good. Each bag features a charity and donates 10% of the company’s net profits to charitable organizations. Between their commitment to the best ingredients and their charitable support, it’s a chip I can feel good about eating with my family.
family’s favorite kettle chip flavors include Original Sea Salt, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream & Onion, along with HONCHO Nacho Cheese, HONCHOS Ranch, and the Baked Crisps with Sea Salt.
When I asked my youngest (the foodie) what his favorite part of the day was, he replied “snack time!” of course. And you know what? I have to agree with him. After an hour or so of picking up empty bottles, wrappers, and trash, snack time was a welcomed break.
Both my husband and I were happy with the opportunity to bring a learning experience full circle with our kids. The fact that we didn’t have to go far to volunteer and do something with our family was great, and the kids learned about the importance of giving back to our community.
With packed schedules, it can often seem difficult to find “a day” to give back, but sometimes it’s a nice reminder that even an hour or two can make an impact in our environment and our kids’ lives. Most importantly, it was quality family time; and this my friend is priceless. Whether you have one hour or one afternoon, you can find out ways to volunteer in your area here in honor of National Volunteer Month.
With our on-the-go lifestyle and chaotic activity-filled afternoons, sometimes a delicious bag of quality chips, like our favorites from Deep River Snacks, are the perfect grab and go snack to add to our home-packed meals. You can find Deep River Snacks kettle chips at a retailer nationwide (visit their website to locate a store near you) or visit Amazon.com to have them shipped right to your door as we do!
What are some volunteer opportunities you’ve been involved or would like to be involved with your family?
Laura, thank you for teaching your children amazing values, we live on this earth, and are here to enjoy and take care of it. With so much technology items attracting our children’s attention, you gave them a very teaching moment and a day of quality family time. The crispy tenders, amazing. An easy meal, and great for “made aheads”, I rarely say leftovers, in the fridge for a quick meal. I love when I see the empty storage container from them.
Laura, thank you for teaching your children amazing values, we live on this earth, and are here to enjoy and take care of it. With so much technology items attracting our children’s attention, you gave them a very teaching moment and a day of quality family time. The crispy tenders, amazing. I make them without the cheese. An easy meal, and great for “made aheads”, I rarely say leftovers, in the fridge for a quick meal. I love when I see the empty storage container from them. Can’t wait to make the Peaches and cream waffles, we love waffles, an amazing breakfast for dinner.
Sour Cream and Onion
I love the sour cream onion flavor. I would love to take my family to the American River to clean up along the river. So many people leave trash all over.
We are a Sour Cream and Onion. Chip household!! Having a little one with food restrictions it’s hard to finding healty alternatives that she will actually eat. Chips are a favorite in our household so I am excited to have stumbled across this post. WE love to volunteer at our school and church!!
Hi Kelli! You are the winner of our giveaway! Look out for an email from me 🙂
In our family its a tie between sea salt and nacho flavored chips. We haven’t tried this brand yet, but will definitely look into them. Our family loves to volunteer by giving back to kids during breaks from school by getting involved with a church who fills up backpacks full of food or organizations that do peanut butter and jelly drives.