Times are tough everywhere but in Michigan they are really bad. The food banks and charity organizations are not getting the help they normally receive and the need is even greater this year. More and more people are out of work. Prices for everything seem to be skyrocketing.
I don’t have the money to donate to charity organizations, I wish I did. But my family helps out when and where we can, even if it is just little things. We may not have much, but we have more than many people so we are happy to share the extra things we have with those in need. My mother taught me when I was young to always think of others. I’ve tried to share that with my children. To get them involved in helping.
So we’ve done our annual closet and toy box clean out and put together packages of toys and clothes that are still in good shape (some brand new that the kids never got to before growing out of) to be donated to local charities. I also pulled out old coats and snowsuits and cleaned them up. Those will be donated to Coats for Kids.
A quick trip to the dollar store will supply us with plenty of new hats, mittens and scarves that can also be donated. My kids love picking out the hats and mittens. It helps them feel important.
We also cleaned out the food cupboards and found enough extra canned goods and non-perishables to help someone have everything they need for Thanksgiving dinner except the turkey.
It’s not much. I wish I could do more. I hope someday to be able to do a lot more. I just feel good that I’m doing what ever I can even if it is just a little and that my children are learning from that.
Hopefully we can help at least one family in need this season.
[This post was written by Wenona Napolitano.]
Thank you for this inspiring tale of sharing in tough times. Children learn so much through this type of giving. I would love to start an annual collection like this in my home. Some traditions are meant to be started! Maybe declaring a certain day, like December 1st would be a good way to remember to do it.
You and your family actually do a huge amount with this kind of sharing. The massive amount of money given in smaller amounts helped to elect a President. The seemingly small amount of effort your family members contributed, if done by every individual and family would go a very long way to eliminating poverty and hunger in our world. Thank you.