Help Us Spread Kindness Through Food

After observing the hardships of those in need and a desire to learn about other countries culinary delicacies, Megan McDonald and Chef Steven Ferneding have combined their passions into a campaign for the development of the human spirit.

Plan:

Starting on January 22rd, 2018 Chef Steven and Megan will depart from San Diego, California and fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. While in country, Chef Steven will be conducting cooking demonstrations of local dishes, in unique, exotic locations. These demonstrations will be filmed similar to the episodes he did for ABC's Afternoon Live Show broadcasted from Thailand. The demonstrations will be available for viewing upon their return to the USA. The first location has been secured high up in the mountain jungles in the Diamante Valley on an 50 acre organic farm. Further cooking demonstrations will follow as Chef Steven and Megan travel around the country.

By incorporating kindness and mutual admiration from one human to another, Megan will be expanding her global initiative “Humans Helping Other Humans”.

Goals:

Chef Steven:
- Film and conduct cooking demonstrations of local Costa Rican dishes while traveling throughout Costa Rica over 21 days
- Bring awareness to local cuisine and culture
- Viewer will learn how to make local dishes, purchase locally sourced produce and see exotic locations

Megan:
- Develop a strategy on how we can help the less fortunate on a global scale
- Observe how locals live simple, happy and fulfilling lives
- Expand her initiative “Humans Helping Other Humans” onto a global platform

Backstory:

While on their own journey, just steps behind each other, their paths finally crossed in May 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. They didn't know it then, but it would be another year before their life’s purists synchronized.

After returning from the glaciers of Mt. Everest in Nepal, Chef Steven created a travel cooking television series called Trading Dishes . (Check out the trailer: https://youtu.be/2T1LkNXohlo ) Spending 93 days and circumnavigating the globe he learned traditional meal preparation using local ingredients to create new healthy dishes from around the world. Currently, the Trading Dishes production is in the final stages of developing the pilot and series.

For the past year, he has appeared 17 times on ABC, CBS, FOX and AZTV television programs with two international broadcast from Thailand. Below are two examples of the cooking demonstrations from the international broadcast filmed in Thailand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UGMdLXhESg&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjlpb1KLaB8&feature=youtu.be

For four years, Megan has been building an inspirational movement called “Humans Helping Other Humans”. Collecting toiletries, clothing, food and luxury items such as sunscreen and self defense items. Megan distributed “Bags of Necessities" to struggling locals who found themselves living on the sweltering streets of Phoenix, Arizona. Her compassion for the less fortunate, stemmed from an early age. She was raised by very loving parents, who instilled in her the importance of kindness as the main ingredient for making a difference in someones life.

A year after their first date and living on opposite sides of the world, they rediscovered their mutual compassion to follow their purpose. Megan’s selfless empathy towards those in need and Chef Steven's passion for educating the globe through food, will change the way we look at the world. This trip is just the beginning! As cheesy as it sounds, destiny has finally brought Megan and Chef Steven together to combine their life’s calling.

Money Raised:

The money raised will help fund film production, accommodations, meals, groceries, water communication, transportation, taxes, tips, scams, mishaps, medical/ travel insurance, gifts for locals,
and flights.

Donations and Rewards:

For every donation made, a handmade karma bracelet handcrafted by Megan, will be sent to you as exchange of our gratitude. In addition to the karma bracelet, your name will be added to the credits screen of the cooking demonstrations completed in Costa Rica.

Please also be note GoFundMe request a "Tip" on the payment screen which goes to fund the fundraising platform, this amount is at your discretion and can be changed to the amount of your choosing.

We are so grateful for all your love and support!

Thank you for checking out GoFundMe page!

~ Megan McDonald and Chef Steven Ferneding