GlossLip » Help Americans Feed Their Children

02/21/2009 (4:58 pm)

Help Americans Feed Their Children – Donate To A Good Cause

I don’t know too many people who haven’t been hit in some way by the economic crisis both here in the states and abroad. Americans are the most giving nation in the world, at the top of all charitable donations both as a country and as individuals. It’s something we pride ourselves on despite the U.S. being demonized by many nations across the globe.

But what about our own suffering children and their families here at home? The one thing we have learned in the last few months, is no one is immune and no one is safe from hardship.

While most of us may be tempted dig in and look after our own, we can’t forget our neighbors. The U.S. government may be trying to help, but it’s economic recovery plan is deeply flawed and leaves too many gaps. It’s we as individuals who must look out for each other in our community.

The problem is, how do we help those in need? CNN highlighted a story right here in my home state of Ohio, which currently has an unemployment rate of 7.8%, .2% higher than the national average and one of the highest in the country. One community in particular is in need, Wilmington, Ohio where the package delivery company DHL laid off 3000 workers, which represent 1/4 of the entire population of that town. With residual hardships spilling over, almost everyone in that town has been affected. It’s almost impossible to comprehend how devastating it must be.

Tony Sellars, the nonprofit’s [Feed The Children] director of communications, said, “This is the largest distribution we have had in such a small town.”

Sellars said the organization is monitoring layoff conditions in various cities and identifying critical locations where it can be of assistance.

“We have been around since 1979, and this is unprecedented in terms of need,” Sellars said. “In Wilmington, the residents are proud and confused; they are resilient and trying to solve their problems on their own, but they don’t know where to turn.”

Feed the Children distributed the food and other items in conjunction with partners that include Avon Products and the local Sugartree Ministry Center.

Larry Jones, founder and president of Feed the Children, urged communities to reach out to one another.

“If we are going to solve the problem, it’s not going to be the government; it’s going to be churches and charities and colleges, literally everyone working together,” Jones said. “We are not the total answer, but we are part of the answer, and hopefully when people see us doing what we are doing, they will join in to help.”

He’s right, we can’t expect the government to do it all. Sometimes just know WHO to donate to is all people need. I just donated as much as I could to Feed The Children because they are helping RIGHT HERE in the U.S., in my state. My donation will feed seven families for a month. If all of us who can (and I realize some people just can’t) would donate what we can afford, we can help real families.

I grew up not having much money and I remember how hard it was on my parents, but I was lucky, because I always had food and warm place to live. Unfortunately,I knew kids in my community who did not and that hurts to even imagine.

Please help if you can, it’s tax deductible and you know where your money is going to.

Thanks!