A dark cloud hung over this Thanksgiving week. The protracted horrors of Mumbai dominated the headlines. Getting less attention was the growing pain here at home, as food banks and charitable organizations across the country reported having to turn away thousands in need of a meal. A ray of hope amidst the gloom could be found watching CNN's Heroes, honoring everyday people accomplishing extraordinary things in their communities and beyond (watch it again tonight at 8 pm ET). How great to salute them in the same way we do Oscar winners (and reward them with much-needed cash). We'll need millions of heroes like those spotlighted on the show to deal with the lean years ahead. There isn't a stimulus package big enough to address the crisis without Americans making service an essential part of our lives.
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I'm going through my cupboards and packaging up some non-perishables. Also, my husband and I are cutting back on our own purchases (e.g. eating out and buying expensive meats) so that we can use what we save to buy extra groceries to give to the pantries. It sounds like pasta, rice, sauce, instant potatos, and stuff like that is usually given to the pantries. At least locally, they don't get enough tuna, peanut butter, and other high-protein food.
Please, people, if you can afford it, donate some food to your local community cupboards. That is where help is needed most now. Food insecurity is increasing everywhere, and it is a threat to all of us. I have family already asking me for Christmas gift ideas - I'm asking them to donate whatever they were planning on spending on me to pantries and charities, instead.
For those of us that have enough - let's remember everyone who may not; and not only food but clothing, companionship and caring. A friendly conversation is also important as food for the soul.
I commend you for being willing to serve. Instead of waiting to be asked, dive right in and seek out opportunities. There are many for retired (and non-retired) folks like you.
We live in the northwest, and travel on Hwy. 14 (WA side of the Columbia River) often. We have watched more than our share of cargo ships traverse the river carrying containers from China. Cheap goods, yes! However, we are watching the consequences of these cheap goods, and the terrible effect on the US economy. EVERYTHING seems to come from China or other third world countries, leaving the US with nothing! We don't MAKE anything anymore! So, does it matter how many Barbie's little girls have?? Yes, it DOES matter! Think about the fuel used to run all of those cargo ships and all the pollution that is being contributed, just by imports.
How many pets were sickened last year by tainted products from China? I really don't want to have to worry about my food or what I feed my pets!
We can't unring the bell and have all these industries come back, but we can certainly create new jobs and industry, and good union jobs, too. Thank goodness, our President Elect has his head in the right place! Let's get him in office and work towards turning this around!!
The Bible sets out the simplicity of "service" in the most effective way: "love thy neighbor as thyself". As this repeats itself throughout the world, everyone is thus cared for.
Of course, most of the world rejects this truth.
We cannot save the world, only Christ can.
In the mean time, love your neighbor as yourself as this is all any of us owes a stranger.
Have you forgot your Christian DUTY to give alms?
Many so-called Christians have. If ever there was a sin, that would be it.
And, also, please provide the verse about "your Christian DUTY to give alms?". Also, if you will kindly please inform me about how that might anything to do with government or Obama.
Since you are such an expert on the sins of Christians, I imagine these simple requests will be no trouble for you to perform.
We all need to get off our duffs, you included, and work to better our society and our nation. It cannot be done by a few politicians at the top. Or is that what you are going to sit back and see about? Just wait and see if this new government is going to save the nation or not, while you sit back and hope your inaction helps them fail? I see through your first line. So does Christ.
You may need to get off you duff, but I don't. We know that conservatives already devote more time to volunteering that liberals (or progressives--whoever they may be) do.
"Obama believes that middle and high school students should be expected to engage in community service for 50 hours annually during the school year or summer months. "*
*
http://obama.3cdn.net/3b3158f85f69a39217_hydpmvzbb.pdf
Imagine what you big spenders can accomplish!
I'd like to forego Christmas and spend it in the way you suggest. I think I would feel better after the fact, having received more than a couple of gifts. I have 2 children, one is a 12-year old boy. While my grown (college-attending) daughter shares my principles and ideals, and would jump right in to help and give, he is just "gimme gimme gimme," through no influence of me, or television (we don't have it). X box isn't good enough, PSP isn't good enough, PS2 isn't good enough. Must have more, must have better. He considers himself very religious, to boot, and will hear nothing of my views ....
I don't know what breeds this. Is it on the Y gene? Testosterone? Where does the problem lie? Is it the rare man who is self-sacrificing, that we congratulate for being rare? Cuz I think if the world were run by women ... it would get a whole lot better, a whole lot quicker. Not to turn this into a sex war ... just expressing the frustration of many parents stuck in this "dilemma."
We are in a post election malaise waiting for the inauguration of Barack Obama while we are scared to distraction about the economy, jobs, homes, pensions/savings and all things we have come to call our security. So, DEFINITELY we all have much to concern ourselves over.
We nonetheless have to count our blessings and extend courtesy to those around us (and yes, even commenters on HuffPo). This site has certainly become much more snarky since the election!
WHY??
We ALL should re-read the Rules and Regs. to realize this is a community, too!
http://saturdaymorningpost.com/horoscope-2009/
Yet time after time and example after example we have a government that with all of its resources either does not have any interest or intent with helping main street. Case in point the 7 trillion rescue for Wall Street. And then compare that with the Katrina aid.
Our Representation refuses to look out the window. Or perhaps the airplane is traveling so fast to see out the window.
The bed of roses has turned into a bed of thorns with this government right in the middle of this mix.
Can we all think of a simple message that can be delivered via Huffington Post, maybe on the masthead, every day, to encourage -- nay, prod -- each of into doing something to help.
And maybe a "Top 10" list of ideas in case people think, "Gee, what can I do today?"
Or maybe you could create a special place on your site where people could add to the list by saying "today I did" or "my family did" or post ideas for others?
We could turn this into a big "community" effort except the community stretches from sea to shining sea and beyond.
We need your leadership, Arianna!
Thanks!!
Mumbai was terrible, but in this country we have a lot of people apparently suffering from"election withdrawal". An awful lot of us on both sides got into the habit of volunteering politically for free. Well, let's stay in the habit an fill up that free time with doing something for a cause near and dear to you. My step-daughter happened to be alone for T-Day this year. She is a two-time Marine helicopter pilot vet of Iraq. She now runs a civilian volunteer group of people with their own boats as a Coast Guard officer, training them in rescue techniques. She tried to volunteer at someplace serving T-Day dinners (San Francisco area) and they were over-run with volunteers! Pretty great,huh? I'm planning my next year around a volunteer opportunity doing something I've always wanted to do, and found the way to do it through a fellow Obama volunteer. He and his wife are both involved in this project. We can only do what we can do, but it adds up. I'm sure a lot of people I know volunteering with the Red Cross will be going to Mumbai. I knew people who worked as volunteers in Thailand after the tsunamai. There's plenty to do. Even a little bit helps!