Why Löffels of Love?

Löffels of Love was never something I intended to create; it was born of necessity, and is now nurtured by a beautiful community of people who have a custom wood-burned spoon either decorating their homes or *hopefully* helping them prepare a delicious meal. I received a message from a man named Tareq, asking me to donate some money to help his family. He told me he was a software engineer and that he was trying to start a life in Egypt to keep his family safe. "I am also a software engineer," I thought, "maybe I can introduce him to some of my engineering colleagues to help him find work." It wasn't until several messages and cups of coffee later that I realized he was out of work because he was still in Gaza. I was trying to help a man find employment in the middle of a war. I felt silly. We kept in touch and I decided that I wanted to be his voice and his champion to the world. I would advocate for him and his family and commit to somehow raising the $30,000 they would need to cross over the Rafah border and start anew. I considered my abilities and after some research decided that I should try wood-burning a spoon. I offered a couple of designs to people through social media and it took off! From there I was burning spoons every night, trying to keep up with the orders. I wanted to market myself a bit better to reach more people, because let's be honest it's going to take a LOT of spoons to raise that much money, and I settled upon the idea of Löffels of Love. Löffel (Loeffel, without the dots) is the German word for spoon/spoonful and I was always a fan of alliteration. My partner secured the "Germlish" domain name and the rest is history.

Our Current Campaign

Our current campaign focuses on Tareq, Areej, Emad, and Tala Elbawab. They're a Palestinian family currently displaced from their home in the north of Gaza. They live in a shared room with several other family members, a situation better than many, but still wholly unacceptable. Oftentimes, I'll receive a message from Tareq in the morning, to let me know that his family is safe and he's starting his day, and I won't receive another until the end of the day because he's been busy trying to find water or purchase food. He's unable to work, for obvious reasons, and their money is running out fast. They're a beautiful family who checks in on me, asking about my welfare and how my family is doing, in the midst of their struggles. We share stories about our children--my child fights me whenever it's time to get dressed, his cries whenever they try to start potty training. We talk about how we can't wait until they've made it out so we can celebrate with both of our families together. He thanks me over and over again, and I need him to understand that it is I who should be thanking him. In all of the tragedy, we give each other hope. We are friends. His wife will teach me to cook maqluba. Our children will play together. We believe this and every day we fight for it.

Our Community

First, a major shout out to the 2 people who are the fiercest teammates: my husband and Danielle from Utah. My partner has taken on every additional responsibility possible so that I can do this work in every spare moment. He has given me an ear, when I've needed to brainstorm (or cry) and has never once suggested that I keep any of the money I earn for myself. He enables me in the very best ways possible. Thank you, love. Danielle is a woman I've never met personally, but her dedication to Tareq and his family is as strong as mine and she is a force! Most of the money we've raised comes from her advocacy and I have found a real partner in her. Thank you, Danielle.

And now a shout out to everyone who has bought a spoon. Thank you for giving me the encouragement to pursue this wholeheartedly. Your support of our endeavours have been so beautiful and thoughtful. I'm grateful to have so many allies and to be amongst like-minded people who have no confusion as to whether this family, and especially these children, deserve safety. In all of the madness of the world, you keep the embers of hope and progress burning. You're the best. Thank you.