Sometimes the news can be, well, not so inspiring. When headlines get you down, it’s important to remember that positive things are still happening all around us. Here are five hopeful and encouraging stories to pay attention to this week:
Sook Seeks To Bring More Business To Local Businesses
Most of us have experienced wanting to shop small but only finding the item we need on big sites like Amazon. The folks behind Sook, a Google Chrome extension, seek to change that by providing easier access to independent businesses. Sook was created by Jonathan Sandals, who moved to Seattle in 2019. He loved the city’s local businesses but noticed that they struggled with online sales. He invented Sook to change that: The shopping assistant includes many categories and directs consumers to local businesses, thus offering the opportunity for these companies to grow their platform and connect with new customers. Read more.
Moving? This Company Will Make Sure Your Food Doesn’t Go to Waste
When most people move, the last thing they think about is the food in their refrigerator, which can create a lot of food waste. One New Jersey food bank is seeking to change that. Move for Hunger was founded in 2009 by Adam Lowry, who noticed the food waste issue while working for his family’s moving company. He began providing boxes for moving families to fill so their leftover groceries can be redistributed to local residents, and the idea has since expanded to many organizations across the country and in Canada. When food insecurity increased due to the pandemic, Move for Hunger expanded too, boasting five million pounds of food donated in 2020. Read more.
Rescue Cat Wears Glasses to Help Kids Feel Confident in Theirs
Truffles, a rescue cat with sass and style, is helping kids find confidence in their glasses and eye patches. Adopted in 2016, Truffles quickly learned a few tricks, and her family wondered if they could train the former stray to wear glasses to make the kids at their family’s eyeglass dispensary more comfortable. A Child’s Eyes, the aforementioned dispensary where Truffles comes to work, provides glasses to young children. As soon as young clients see the cat strut in donning fashionable specs, their fears about wearing glasses seem to disappear, says Danielle Crull, Truffles’ owner. Now that’s one cool cat. Read more.
“Book Lady” Jennifer Williams Aims to Donate One Million Books
Jennifer Williams is affectionately known as the “book lady” in her small Virginia town, and for good reason. Williams has set a goal of donating one million books, mostly to children in her community. Since she has started the initiative, she has donated over 63,000 books. As the daughter of a librarian, She wants to make sure that the children in her city have the opportunity and access to books, saying “If you can read, you can learn almost anything.” Read more here.
Canada Offers Free Postcards to Help Its Citizens Create Connection
Canada is helping connect its citizens to their loved ones through free pre-paid postcards. Canada Post will distribute the 13.5 million postcards to residences across the country, including those living in nursing homes and homeless hubs. Countries like Ireland have already begun this endeavor, in hopes to keep residents safe and distant. Doug Ettinger, President and CEO of Canada Post, knows the endeavor will help Canadians find positivity during the pandemic. “Meaningful connection is vital for our emotional health, sense of community and overall well-being,” he says. Read more.