A few weeks ago, I was asked if I’d like to donate an item to a silent auction to benefit the American Cancer Society.  I jumped at the chance.  My mother is a cancer survivor, so the subject hits close to home for me.  Encouraging people to bring a healthy lunch from home, rather than eating out so much, is one of the main reasons I make these bags and patterns.

I tried to think of ways to make it a really special donation.  I asked my Facebook people, and got lots of great input.  My first instinct was to include some actual food, but then I realized that I have to send in the donation months before the auction.  No telling what could happen to it by then.

So then I tried to think about it this way:  If the concept of carrying lunch in a jar was completely foreign to me, what would I need to know, and what would I need to get started?  So here’s what I came up with.

The bag is the blue ticking, my best seller.  I included the napkin, of course; 2 wide mouth jars; a bandana placemat; some simple silverware; and a Cuppow lid.  There’s also a one-page explanation of the mason jar meals concept complete with ideas for what to bring.  And some business cards, of course.  If I have time before I pack it all up, I may print out some recipes as well.  (Does anyone know where that Salad in a Jar diagram came from? I’d love to give credit for it, but I can’t find the original source anywhere!)

Did you notice that thing on one of the jars?  What’s that, you ask?  It’s a jar cuff, coming soon to the shop!  They’ve been a long time coming, and I’m so happy they’re almost ready!  😀