Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
These are scary times for a lot of people. Government workers are trying to survive without paychecks, and many SNAP recipients are wondering where their next meal is coming from. I live in Springfield, MA. It is a gateway city where, even on a good day, many people suffer from food insecurity. Right now, people are desperate. The Republican, our local newspaper, reported on Tuesday, November 4th, that “In Springfield alone, 47.4% of residents receive SNAP benefits. Most of the recipients are working families that don’t make enough to scrape by. Others are retirees, children and the disabled.” The lines at food pantries and long and getting longer every day. It is no doubt a scene being played out across America.
Churches, civic associations, and stores are all stepping up to do what they can. There are collections everywhere. This is one of those times when everyone with the ability to give needs to be a helper.
So, how can you help?
1) Help your neighbor – Do you know someone personally impacted by the government shutdown or loss of SNAP benefits? Do what you can to help that person/family. Maybe leave a bag of groceries on their front step. Make “extra” of a meal and bring it over or invite the family over for dinner. Give gift cards to your local grocery store. You can send them anonymously if you don’t want to get the credit or make the person feel bad for needing help.
2) Donate to pantry food collections - Whether it is through your local church, school, library, or directly to a food pantry, every nonperishable item helps. If you aren’t in a position to purchase items, look through your pantry (be sure to check expiration dates) and donate items that you have on hand. Donating money to a local food pantry is always appreciated as well.
3) Donate to Food Banks – Food banks provide food to the food pantries that directly serve people in need. They are able to purchase food at a discount and make your donation dollars stretch farther. The Foodbank of Western Massachusetts states that every $1 of donation provides two meals.
4) Volunteer – Many local pantries are straining under the weight of both increased need and increased donations. They are looking for people to help out.
5) Pray – The people in need and the people serving them through food pantries need help in the form of loaves and fishes kinds of miracles. All the efforts can’t make up for the loss of SNAP benefits, but we can pray that somehow the food stretches and that people get what they need.
Matthew 25:34-5 tells us, “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Helping the poor is part of the Christian mandate. God rewards generosity. Please do what you can.
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/offer-give-share-provide-5022188/
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