Here There and Everywhere

Stamping Our Hunger

We are still getting used to a lot of things about living once again in our own country, but one thing we know we love is the open hearted spirit of giving in the USA. Every week people are raising funds to help those in need, or to raise awareness of a health issue, etc.

This week, on Saturday, the mail carriers sponsored a food drive for the local food pantry. Early in the week, they delivered flyers and a sack to each house on their route, asking us for donations of food to be placed on the doorsteps on Saturday. They even mentioned foods and items most needed, so it was easy.

What I cannot imagine is how they got all the donations into one mail truck. I can imagine it was enormously successful. When I worked in fund raising, the first thing I learned is that people will give generously if you make it easy for them – that’s why when you get a request for donations, you get a form, a self-addressed envelope, and sometimes it even has a stamp on it.

So how much easier does it get than having a bag provided and just filling it? Putting it outside your own door, knowing it will be collected? God bless the men and women who had to trundle all those sacks out to the trucks, and then from the trucks to the food pantry! God bless the work of their hands!

By the way, when you are asked to give, here are some things that people who use food pantries often need:

rice
peanut butter
tuna fish
canned or powdered milk
disposable diapers
canned meats

And something most people don’t think of: dog food, cat food for the family pet

May 11, 2010 - Posted by intlxpatr | Charity, Community, Cultural, Customer Service, ExPat Life, Florida, Food, Interconnected, Living Conditions, Values