Green Spring Station Businesses Working to Fight Hunger

North County resident Hannah Rodewald has made it her mission to help fight hunger across the state.

Will you?

Rodewald, the owner of , is one of the local business owners participating in the "Weigh" to Shop initiative at  that's going on until Saturday.

“It’s something that’s going on right in our backyards and it’s not rocket science. We can do something about that,” Rodewald said of fighting hunger. “We’re working on getting quality canned goods in the hands of people who need it. With the recession, there are a whole lot more people than it used to be.”

collects donations of non-perishable food items, which are coverted—based on weight—into monetary donations to Our Daily Bread from participating businesses.

Here's how it works.

When people donate 10 pounds or less of canned goods and other non-perishable food items from now until Nov. 19, they'll receive a 10 percent donation card. A contribution of more than 10 pounds will earn a 20 percent pledge.

When a shopper then makes a purchase at a participating retailer and presents the donation card, the retailer will make a monetary donation to Our Daily Bread equal to the percentage of the donation card.

“For example, a person (with a 20 percent donation card) can buy a dress at  (boutique) for $200 and the store will donate $40 to Our Daily Bread,” Rodewald said.

Canned good donations will be weighed at —another participating local business. Participating merchants accepting the donation cards are:

• Essentials by Panache
• FRESH! Boutique

Rodewald is also the chair of Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of Central Maryland. The council donates $10,000 or more to United Way annually. 

“When people think of hunger they think of the person who goes to the soup kitchen and gets their meals. It’s not that anymore,” she said. “It’s people who can’t get enough fresh, healthy food to eat every day of the month for three meals a day and for their children.”

Rodewald and her husband have owned The Pleasure of Your Company for 31 years. The business specializes in custom invitations, as well as gift and greeting cards.

Will you contribute to the "Weigh" to Shop program? Know of other charitable programs happening during the holidays? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS!