jmcquown wrote:
>
> I've been so neglectful with these posts! I used to do them quarterly, then
> I just sort of forgot about them.
>
> With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching (and Christmas right on its
> heels!) in the US, it's time to remind everyone to give (if you are able) to
> the less fortunate. While most of us are able to have a good meal, there
> are so many people who can't.


They have a food drive in our town and come right to your door for
donations.


I am always in a bind about what to give them. I am reluctant to give them
pasta, tuna or peanut butter because the needy have probably already had
enough of that to sort of stuff. Last year my wife was about to hand them
two cans of sweetened condenses milk which I quickly rescued because I had
bought it for my Christmas baking, and I figured, rightly or wrongly, that
if they had the ingredients to do something worthwhile with that they
didn't need my help.


I know that charity is a good thing, and we have a pretty good welfare
system here, compared to some places, but I have heard some stories about
such charity work that make me think twice. My son's girlfriend was
delivering a food basket to a needy family. She had worked to gather food,
donated some herself, packed it up and wrapped it with a nice bow. When she
showed up at the house the parents were sitting around drinking beer and
smoking pot. Funny how they can afford to buy beer and pot but need help
with the groceries.

A few years ago my brother went to help out at a free Christmas dinner for
the needy. He went outside for a cigarette and two of the clients are out
there phoning for a taxi to take them to a nearby city to play bingo.
Being a bit like me he could not resist asking them how it is that they
just got a free Christmas dinner but can afford more than $50 for a taxi to
go and gamble. One asked "Are you going to give us a hard time about that?"
and he answered "No, but you won't see me back here next year."

Don't get me wrong. I will still donate. I give cash to a local charity to
help them buy turkeys for their Christmas dinner for the needy. However, I
do remain sceptical about some situations.