I'm sure you all have see people holding signs like these on corners in your home towns...
how does it make you feel?
I used to think "Go get a job, even at McDonalds or something"
NOW... with our economy as bad as it is, jobs are scarce and employers receive an overabundance of applicants which makes landing a job more difficult.
We are struggling this holiday season, its not the first time. I just took a second part time job, Brian is looking for a new job as well.
But... I feel sad for these individuals who stand holding these signs.
Even at my most desperate times, I "made" things work, but don't think I could have ever stood on the street holding a sign like this.
One day I was on my way to Walmart and I saw a tattered looking female holding a sign "Single mom, needs help for her children". Two cars in front of me at the stop light, the individual gave the woman some cash and she began crying! It simply touched and broke my heart at the same time. I truly felt that the woman with the sign, NEEDED that money. I wanted to give her some too, when I came back from Walmart she was gone.
I've heard people say things about the people who stand with the signs that they "just want money to go buy drugs or booze". Is is bad to think that? I admit I've thought it a time or two as well.
During each Holiday season, my husband and I along with our boys find some sort of charity to help. Last year my hubby took our oldest son to a local supermarket; they had a tree up in the store with paper ornaments that stated items that elderly people in our community needed. My hubby let my son pick a couple of those ornaments and they purchased "gifts" such as deoderant, peanuts, cherry cordials, etc. to donate to the elderly that "wished" for those items that year. We've had our son pick out a toy from the store and donate it to Toys for Tots which the
US Marines sponsor each Christmas as well.
Even though we will not ever know who gets those gifts, it warms my heart to give to someone in need. Something about this season makes me open my heart and mind a little bit more. Even though our life it so tough right now with my dad and financially, there are SO MANY more people out there worse off than us. SO just giving back a little bit helps me to realize how lucky we are to have the things we do have.
Feel free to share one of your stories of helping others this time of year...
Have you done a random act of kindness at the holidays?
Have you given to someone who held a sign "will work for food", etc.?
Its so amazing to hear stories of kindness this time of year.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Love,
Noelle ♥
10 comments:
Dear Daughter
Reading your sentiment makes me know I succeeded as a mother to you! To look beyond ourselves to others was a deep seated goal of mine with my children, there is a world beyond ourselves. Each of you is looking out for the greater population with your personal as well as professional interests, I applaud you all tremendously! As a society we must surpass our biases, especially now and stereo types of people, many are struggling with abuse, neglect, hunger, homelessness,addiction and poverty. We have to open our eyes and see, open our hearts and love. I truly hope you heard some of my words to the social worker yesterday and understand why I work so hard at school and my deep seated intent to one day be a social worker and counselor, its my calling to help and give back. I have had losses, I have felt pain, but I have hope and want to share it with the less fortunate of our sorry stated country. Bless you daughter FOR MAKING MY YEAR WITH THIS POST, I APPLAUD YOU AGAIN!
Love, your PROUD mother
I can't say I've ever thought someone should just go get any job because I know firsthand that it's not as easy as people think it is. What's the liklihood of a homeless person who can't shower or wear nice clothese to an interview being given a job?
And as for giving to someone who is in need, it's not up to me or anyone to judge what they do with that money once it's given, it's between them and whatever God they answer to, if any.
I believe one needs to live in a larger city to maybe understand what you mean. Because it is typically common for an individual of any age to wonder or question the motives of what people can be capable of. And sadly people do prey on the image of being destitute to gain money from strangers, for numerous reason. This is a proven in our bizarre world! Mom
I don`t see much begging here , with not living in a big town , but i do know we have many homeless people sleeping on our streets .I do feel so sad for them and wonder how they got into that situation . We have a different state policy , and they`re supposed to help with housing and benefits , but i don`t think it`s working , a shortage of homes i do know . We need more help to help the homeless get back on track and have a future .
I do know job hunting is really hard , i am still looking - after a year with no luck now and we are struggling financially , we put a cap on spending for relatives and told them , which they didn`t take too well i might add ! They spend way too much anyway i think ,and it makes you feel bad then , which i think is wrong .But i told them how it is with us and that we`re not getting into more debt , just because it`s christmas ! They`ve got a small present and it`s that or nothing ! God i sound an awful scroogey person - but we have to do it this year ..
i`ll be donating food cans to a homeless shelter , we don`t have food banks like you ..
I like to give to the Salvation Army.
When my son Caleb chose to live on the streets of Pittsburg, PA the SA really reached out to him and helped him with food, clothing counsel and love. The Salvation Army in Michigan even paid for Caleb to take the bus to Idaho to get away from the drug scene. They really reach out to the weak and lowly. They have good thrift stores too and I know when I buy there, my money is going to help someone like my Caleb.
We don't have any beggars here in my small town. Small towns tend to take care of their own but I have seen sign holders in the city. Since Caleb was homeless, I learned some things: All Cities have missions that are well known among the homeless and jobless. They feed, clothe, house and help find jobs for folks. They even go out and look for people in need by passing out blankets for those who for one reason or another won't come in.
The "single mother" should be able to get help at a mission unless she won't follow their rules. (Shower daily, do chores, stay drug free, etc) So my first impression is that the beggars are begging because the local out-reaches are limited in their ability to help them. Granted, the drug addicted and rule breakers need love and food too but helping them is *tricky* business! It pays to be street wise.
Okay, this is pretty long! Ha! Hope this helped anyway. ♥
Hey Noelle,
I feel so sorry for them and my heart breaks for them when I see them. We don't see this very much in our small town, but when I have seen it, it always makes me wonder how they found themselves in the situation, what have they gone through in their lives that landed them where they are. My imagination starts going all over the place with thoughts, and I can't help but wonder.... What hand had they been dealt in life, it must have been too hard to bear? What's their story? I often wonder..... if I'd been dealt with the hand in life that they'd been dealt... could that have been me standing there? It really humbles me and brings me to my knees, at the thought. I have helped people like this, it wasn't ever a whole lot...probably not nearly what they needed, (but I gave what I could). If we have a roof over our heads and food to eat, and clothes on our backs, we have more than alot of people. We are blessed. I am thankful for organizations that are really able to help people. We all contribute by chipping in what we can.
You have a big heart Noelle, and I know your sweet boys do too...you and the hubby are teaching those boys the things that are important...that's wonderful what they did for the elderly too. Thanks for sharing your story.
Big Hugs,
Queenie
hey sweetie,
I havent been here for a while and wanted to say hi! You were BEAUTIFUL at your wedding! What a grand event! miss you come say hi!
xo
Priscila
littlemissheirlooms.blogspot.com
We have one old part of town where you will see beggars once in a while and what really bugs me is when I see one begging who is drunk and even holding his whiskey bottle. I won't help those because I know the money will just go to buy another bottle. Then there are those who you can tell are really in desperate need of money so that they can eat or clothe themselves more warmly, especially this time of year. To me, it needs a lot of desperation to stand out there with a sign begging for help, especially when there are children involved. I always donate money to our local children's telethon where money is raised to buy Christmas gifts and food for those in need. It breaks my heart to think of anyone going hungry or with no presents under the tree...makes me wish I had millions to give away and help them. xoxo
At our church during Christmas time we have the giving tree. Each tag has a kids age and what to get them. Then the church takes them to that particular kid. It is always clothes. We also have a food pantry at the church where occasionally we have given.
Well I was going to type a long winded response but I see Holly pretty much summed it up for me. I have some experience with type of thing, having been a liason for organizations and needy families and for parents with serious mental issues. I also prefer to give directly to reputable organizations like the Salvation Army, I know in San Fran they do a lot of good work. When we lived in Berkeley there was a big expose on how most of the "beggers" had that as a job and how many of the regulars were followed home to their homes and exposed as frauds. The dressed the part and then lived in a nicer place than I did. That kind of soured the whole giving thing for me. Like I said Salvation Army is now the way to go for me. Also, many shelters do provide a great deal of assistance and have fairly few and reasonable rules so I think most in need can find help through sources and not have to stand on the corner. Okay I guess it was long winded anyway.
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