Anyone out there feeling guilty you will have plenty of Thanksgiving food?
This year seems worse with wars in Israel and Ukraine. We know there are so many refugees suffering fear and hunger, it’s hard to eat with gusto without guilt.
Two worlds apart. Those who have plenty and those who have little or nothing. It’s an old story that keeps repeating, sadly. What can one person or family do?
We can start by staying informed and pestering our senators and representatives about helping the poor and accepting refugee families. There are enough churches and benevolent non-profits to lend assistance in person or with donations.
Talk to your family and serve meals at a local soup kitchen on Thanksgiving Day, and do your dinner on Wednesday or Friday. Volunteers are always needed.
Most of all, remember that hungry people are everywhere not just in war zones. You might feed the elderly in your own neighborhood or invite them to your dinner. Often they have no relatives left. There’s nothing better than adopting a family or serving others.
Refugees bring opportunities to allieviate not only hunger, but fear of strangers in strange new countries. So much fear has been generated by extreme-right politicians led by defendant Trump’s retribution campaign. Perhaps you should welcome your Jewish neighbors into your home to support them in light of recent attacks here.
What will you do this week and after to make your community less fearful and less hungry? Write letters to your local newspaper about your community needs. Plan ahead on how to make a difference to those in need. Smile. Shake a hand. Open a door. Offer food. Offer the elderly trips to the doctor. Give time.
Happy Thanks - Giving!
Thanks for your time reading this, dear subscribers. Let us never lose hope!
Hunger and loneliness have no borders.
Giving to local food banks. It’s not enough but for some it may make a difference.