Giving Beyond the Holidays

Why do many us only think about helping others around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays?  I'm not talking about what you give in a church offering, I'm talking about beyond that.  Yes, the church helps people with part of your tithes, but why do many of us think that's enough?

In "The State of Poverty in America", Peter Edelman wrote that there are, ..." 20.5 million people—6.7 percent of the population—who are in deep poverty, with an income less than half the poverty line (below $9,000 for a family of three). Some 6 million people out of those 20.5 million have no income at all other than food stamps."  In Lorain County, Ohio, where I'm from, 14.4% of the county was at the poverty level in 2010, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.   Look around you.  Included in these statistics might be your neighbor, friend, maybe even a family member.

What I found interesting with both statistics is that there were no asterisk's explaining that these numbers only applied around Thanksgiving and Christmas.  No, unfortunately, this is a problem that extends the entire year.

Here is where I pause and let a few of you say what I typically hear from many people when I discuss this issue, "Why can't they get a job?", "They're all on welfare, I'm supporting them with my taxes.", "There are places they can go for help.", "Add your comment here!"

I don't think it's possible for any family to survive on minimum wage.  Around here, the available jobs generally pay minimum wage.  I spoke with people trying to live with a minimum wage income.  They can't, not without assistance.  I spoke with people that were making a decent wage, but the company shut down, moved out, or downsized, leaving them out in the cold.  These are hard working people with families, trying to survive.  Government assistance isn't enough to fill in the gaps either.

Here is where we come in.

If we all gave something all year, imagine the difference we can make.  I'm not talking about just sending a check - although if you can, please do - I'm talking about giving food to your local food pantry, giving clothes to your local clothing drive, giving of your time to an agency that helps the homeless , seniors, children, or anyone in need.  Doing this beyond the holidays - once a month, twice a month or however often you can - will make a difference.  Get on your phone, start calling around, ask what you can do - how you can help.  The need is much more than only giving at the holidays will cover.

There will still be empty stomach's, cold children, and poverty after Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Giving beyond the holidays will help.





   
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