One thing I've noticed talking to a few
friends is their lack of charity towards others less fortunate than
themselves. We were driving into a grocery store and there were
panhandlers at the entrances to the parking lot. My friends were
poking fun at them and making comments like “get a job” and “all
they're going to use it for is booze and drugs”. Seeing some of
those desperate faces made me realize how lucky I am right now. I'm
dirt poor, but not to the point where I have to panhandle to get by.
Before our financial situation got as
desperate as it's been these past four years, I would give money to
panhandlers. I would donate money to charities. I would take things
to consignment shops and donate them when I found I had too much. I
would buy food just to take to the local food bank so I could help
those poorer than me.
Now I rely on those places I shared
with while I could. I get food from time to time from a food bank. I
buy my clothes and a few of my dishes from a consignment shop. I have
no spare money. I have plenty of spare time though, and with that
time I have long wanted to volunteer. It's only my lack of
transportation that has kept me from doing it.
I'm on SNAP and Medicaid. The food
benefits aren't enough to get me through a full month, which is why I
sometimes go to food banks. But it's there for me to use. I paid
taxes for 20 years just so the program would be there for people to
use. Now I'm in the position of needing it. I don't know how many
cruel remarks about being a baby factory, being lazy, being a drain
on society and I should just kill myself I get. Yes, I've heard all
of them.
I've seen the shift in religions,
politics, and among the general public. Instead of wanting to help
the poor, the homeless, the people who aren't in a position to help
themselves, they ridicule and turn away from these people. Look at
what's happening to veterans. No luck finding jobs, homeless, in need
of medical care they're not getting. Look at my husband and his
partners. Not able to find regular jobs because of how long they've
been struggling with their own business, no way to get medical help
even though they need it, his two business partners aren't even able
to get on food stamps because the company makes just enough money for
them that it's counted as “too much”, even though they can't live
on it.
If you have the ability, do something
for someone. Buy a few groceries and donate them to your local food
bank. Donate to consignment shops. Take a few dollars and donate them
to your favorite charity. If you don't have the ability to do
something financially, take some time to volunteer.
