Families find it harder and harder to connect these days.  While the struggles of time, money and distance provide challenges that may seem impossible to overcome sometimes, it becomes more and more important to keep family ties strong.  In a culture that is used to communicating via text, instant message and social networks, we lose a lot in personal connections.  We miss the hugs, we miss the eye to eye connection, we miss holding hands and the personal touch.

In an effort to encourage families to rekindle those together times like the Sunday family dinners, the extended family holiday feasts and birthday reunions, Libby’s is leading the charge to bring everyone back to the dinner table.

A few of our community bloggers shared their personal family stories:

Carmen at Untrained Housewife is a military mom who knows all too well getting everyone together is often out of your control.

I have accepted my life and the challenges that go along with the many blessings. When the opportunity arises to get together, we make it count. During the week, if we can get one to two meals together at the table then we are golden. But where we really make it happen is on weekends.

Christine at From Dates to Diapers shares the struggles of coordinating family schedules for the members of her extended family:

We try to get our families together, but it’s hard to coordinate 25 different schedules. Someone is bound to be missing. Now, that’s not to say we don’t try. These days it’s just in smaller groups.

When personal tragedy strikes, keeping family apprised of your safety can become a challenge as Jenn of Frugal Upstate found after a recent flood:

At times like this family is the first thing on your mind. Is everyone all right? Are they safe? Do they need anything? We pick up the phone (when possible) and check up on those we love, and let those farther away know that we are ok.

Jill at Diaper Diaries talks about her super size family.  With a dad as one of 7 children, that’s quite a family to try to get together!

But seeing extended family is challenging. Once you fit in your immediate family time and all of their competing scheduling conflicts, then factor in the fact you simply don’t want to be scheduled all the time,  everyone is really busy. Facebook can’t replace face time although it is a definite blessing.

For Jenny at Jenny On The Spot getting both sides of the family together proves to be complicated and money is an issue:

We have both sides of the family to consider… and 3 kids, and jobs and schedules. To fly us to anywhere it can cost thousands… If we choose to drive – no family-visiting destination is under 24 hours of driving for us.

Libby’s is committed to families.  “Through our recent survey we discovered that when American families get together 59% of them do so to share stories. At Libby’s we believe there is no better place to share than around the dinner table,” said Bruce Wolcott, vice president of marketing, Seneca Foods Corporation. “We know the importance of family meal time and provide quality fruits and vegetables at an affordable price, to make it easier to plan meals for families of all sizes.”

Libby’s is giving one family the chance for a family reunion – one that will create memories to last a lifetime.  On the Libby’s Table Facebook Page, you can enter to win a vacation for your extended family.  The winning group will receive travel and hotel accommodations to gather for a reunion dinner, total prize valued at $20,000. To enter, families can submit a family photo and short caption on the Family Reunion Contest tab at the Libby’s Table Facebook page.

Don’t miss the opportunity for this once in a lifetime chance!  The contest ends September 23 – so hurry on over and enter now!

This post is sponsored by Libby’s.