Blog
Writing about community, charity, and travel.
-
Hualalai, Big Island
I had never been to the Big Island, and the reason was my wife. She had been twice when she was younger and had come away unenthused, without ever producing a specific charge against the place. I...
-
Where I Take People Visiting Seattle for the First Time
I am asked this often enough that I have stopped improvising an answer. There is a route, and it has been refined over a good many visitors. Begin in Pioneer Square Start the morning at Argentum...
-
Grand Hyatt Kauai: Poipu's Masterclass in Relaxed Luxury
Some resorts try to impress you the moment you walk in. The Grand Hyatt Kauai takes a different approach — it lets the island do the talking. Spread across fifty lush acres on Kauai's sunny south...
-
Croatia and Montenegro: Boka Bay and Dubrovnik
Two countries in one summer week, five nights in the first and two in the second, separated by a border I had been warned about and which held us up for a quarter of an hour. Boka Bay does the...
-
Kokomo Island, Fiji
We went in February, over midwinter break — seven nights, a two-bedroom sunset villa, and our second time on the island. The arrival The trip begins in a private hangar at Nadi International...
-
Dubai and the UAE
Fourteen hours Seattle to Dubai is fourteen hours in the air without a stop, and the airline is most of what determines whether that is an ordeal or merely a long day. We flew Emirates. The aircraft...
-
Starting a Mobile Soup Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Brendon Pack When I first started volunteering at homeless shelters ten years ago, I quickly realized that one of the biggest challenges wasn't just feeding people—it was reaching them where they...
-
Brendon Pack Explores His Favorite Fall Foliage Cities
Travelogue by Brendon Pack As a travel enthusiast who has spent countless seasons chasing the perfect autumn moment, I can tell you that few experiences rival standing beneath a canopy of golden...
-
Copenhagen Beyond Hygge: The City's Creative Underground Scene
A Unique Tour With Brendon Pack The morning mist clings to the cobblestones of Vesterbro like a secret whispered between old buildings, and I'm following the sound of spray paint hissing against...
-
Hidden Seattle: A Local's Guide
The Space Needle pierces the sky like a concrete question mark, and Pike Place Market thrums with its orchestrated chaos of flying fish and flower vendors. But these are Seattle's front door, not...
-
How to Organize a Clothing Drive for Those in Need
Helping Communities, One Garment at a Time With Brendon Pack Organizing a clothing drive is a powerful way to support individuals and families in need—whether they’re experiencing homelessness,...
-
Impactful Roles at Local Homeless Shelters: The Power of Volunteering
Homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in communities across the United States. Every night, hundreds of thousands of individuals and families lack stable housing. While long-term solutions...
-
Food Bank Donations: What to Give and What Not To
Brendon Pack Describes How to Maximize Your Impact and Help Fight Hunger Effectively Food banks are vital lifelines for individuals and families facing food insecurity. They rely heavily on the...
-
Teaching Financial Literacy to Low-Income Families: Managing Today to Save for Tomorrow
A Guide How to Get Over the Hump by Brendon Pack In an era of rising living costs and economic uncertainty, financial literacy has never been more essential—especially for low-income...
-
Mental Health Matters: Supporting Homeless Individuals with Mental Illness Through Community Programs
A Look at How to Help With Brendon Pack The intersection of homelessness and mental illness presents a complex and pressing challenge in our society. Recent studies have shown that a staggering 67%...
-
Stories from the Frontlines of Food Banks in America
Feeding the Needy by Brendon Pack In every community across America, food banks serve as a vital lifeline for individuals and families facing food insecurity. These organizations, often operating...
-
A Day in the Life at a Soup Kitchen: Behind the Scenes of Compassion and Community
First-Person Take With Brendon Pack As the city slowly awakens, the humble building housing the local soup kitchen is already buzzing with life. A day at the soup kitchen is not just about serving...
-
How Technology Is Revolutionizing Food Banks in the U.S.
An in-depth look into the brave new world of food banks with Brendon Pack Food banks have long been a cornerstone in the fight against hunger, serving millions of Americans each year. As societal...
-
The Most Needed Donations in the United States: What Food Banks and Shelters Really Need
How to help by Brendon Pack Food banks and shelters across the United States provide crucial support to millions of Americans facing food insecurity and homelessness. We’ve spoken in the past about...
-
Helping the Homeless for the Holidays
Helping the Homeless for the Holidays: Bringing Hope and Warmth to Those in Need by Brendon Pack As the holiday season approaches, most of us look forward to cozy gatherings, festive meals, and time...
-
Skills-Based Volunteering: Using Your Talents to Help the Homeless
Brendon Pack Shares Ways to Get Involved and Help the Homeless In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the world of philanthropy and community service: skills-based volunteering. This approach...
-
10 Impactful Ways to Volunteer at Local Homeless Shelters
Helping guidance by Brendon Pack Volunteering at local homeless shelters is a profoundly rewarding way to give back to your community. It not only benefits those in need but also enriches your own...
-
Businesses Helping Hearts: How Corporations Are Fighting Hunger in the US
A Look at Corps That Give Back With Brendon Pack With so many corporations or big businesses you often only hear about things they do wrong, but there are many corps who thrive on philanthropy that...
-
Celebrating Independence Day: How Food Banks Give Back on America's Birthday
By Food Bank Supporter Brendon Pack Independence Day is a time for Americans to come together in the spirit of freedom, patriotism, and community. While many mark the occasion with fireworks,...
-
How to Support Food Banks Beyond Giving Food
Giving back to food banks with Brendon Pack Food banks provide a lifeline in the fight against hunger in the US and across the globe. They rely heavily on donations to provide essential food items...
-
How to Volunteer at a Food Bank
A Guide to Finding Opportunities and Making a Difference Working at a Food Bank in America by Brendon Pack In the United States, millions of people face food insecurity every day. Food banks play a...
-
Food Shelters: A Lifeline in the Fight Against Hunger in the US
Brendon Pack on How Americans Can Help Fight the Ongoing Food Crisis Food insecurity is a harsh reality for millions of Americans. In 2022, an estimated 49 million Americans relied on food...
-
From Soup Kitchens to Food Banks: America's Food Shelter History
Food insecurity, though often surprising to some, has a long history in the United States. Efforts to combat hunger have evolved over time, with food shelters taking on different forms to meet the...