![]() |
I was hungry and...
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in," I have been fasting for health reasons the past couple days, (of course they have a 'snack day' at work today and the table is set up right next to my cube:bear_cry:). So, I had the pleasure of being hungry and watching some very well fed, face it, some rather obese folks snack at the trough all day long. Then I come home and have a huge box of preps in the mail that I need to stock away. I look around my place and it's looking like some kind of discount warehouse, shtuff everywhere.. I converted a small bedroom into a pantry and it's mostly stocked to the roof. Long story short, I realize I am prepping for 'something' that may never even happen while there are people (many just kids) starving to death right now, every minute. This link gives you a statistical snap shot: http://www.starvation.net/ I don't want the bad karma of being a bogart when there are living people right now starving to death. That has to be a painful way to go. Does anyone personally know of a good charity to donate to where if you donate XX dollars that money WILL go to some kid somewhere who is dying from hunger and not into the pockets of the fund raiser? I know there are generous people here, I see it every time G asks for donations. It's almost like people race to get the money in before khan closes the window. I seriously doubt there is another place on the web like that. And I'm not trying to turn into friggen Ghandi or something. Just want to share while I am still able too. Being hungry and watching overweight americans snack all day was an eye opener. I want to shake off the bad karma I feel from my own personal selfishness. This selfishness is why I think so many peeps are miserable in our society today. But at the same time, who can you trust with your money? (besides maybe a gkhan?) If you have a link, thanks, if not, maybe this isn't the right forum for me to be posting on.. |
Re: I was hungry and...
I believe food shelters are usually local in nature, so it would depend on where you live. I'd start with food shelters in your yellow pages.
If you mean helping overseas, it gets a little tricky. You might look at the heifer project. http://www.heifer.org/ |
Re: I was hungry and...
Or, hang onto it & plan on helping your neighbors when necessary!
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Churches might be a good home/distribution point.
|
Re: I was hungry and...
If you want to remain anon, look for the foo bank in your town or a neighboring town. We help raise money and collect food for one close by. It keeps us "balanced" and keeps it from getting too personal as in someone actually knowing who we are.
Food banks are usually in dire need for donations and the food donations go directly to people in that town. Another thing you could look for is if there is a food kitchen that feeds the homeless or a delivery service that provides meals to the elderly or infirm. I dislike sending my money off to any organization as so many of them have such high administrative overhead and sometimes only a small percentage of the donations actually make it to the needy. |
Re: I was hungry and...
I'm in agreement with those who say deliver or have it delivered local. No check in the mail. I don't believe money will offer the absolution you seek, but some sharing will.
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Quote:
To keep this on topic, I agree with donating locally. |
Re: I was hungry and...
Thanks for the feedback guys n gals.. It reminds me why the core of this forum is as solid as it is.
Maybe it is time to circulate some of my older preps into the local food bank, soon we won't have to look overseas for the needy. |
Re: I was hungry and...
Quote:
|
Re: I was hungry and...
The Ant and the Grasshopper
In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant walked by, grunting as he carried a plump kernel of corn. "Where are you off to with that heavy thing?" asked the Grasshopper. Without stopping, the Ant replied, "To our ant hill. This is the third kernel I've delivered today." <center> <table style="width: 586px; height: 332px;" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td> "Why not come and sing with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of working so hard?" </td> <td>http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/grasshopper/image.gif</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center> "I am helping to store food for the winter," said the Ant, "and think you should do the same." "Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; "we have plenty of food right now." But the Ant went on its way and continued its work. The weather soon turned cold. All the food lying in the field was covered with a thick white blanket of snow that even the grasshopper could not dig through. Soon the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger. He staggered to the ants' hill and saw them handing out corn from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity. http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/grasshopper/mstory.htm |
Re: I was hungry and...
Here's what I do. When for whatever reason I have an excess that I would like to share. I find an individual that could use a leg up and make it happen for them. Sometimes, it is unbelievably rewarding.:ok:
|
Re: I was hungry and...
http://www.foodforthepoor.org/
Top rate Organization, I went on a trip to Haiti to see their facility. They feed millions every day between the USA, Haiti, Jamaica and Nicaragua. |
Re: I was hungry and...
No one mentioned it so I thought I would:
I use Compassion International. You don't give one time lump sums to "feed" someone and feel good about yourself. You actually sponsor the child directly. I just checked their website for their financial info, 83% goes directly to support the child with food, shelter, and education. They have 17% admin overhead (pretty low from what I understand...but you do have to have people administering this sort of thing... I also should mention that this is a Christian organization just so I don't "withhold" information from anyone. Nothing beats the feeling of getting a letter in the mail from the person you sponsor. I also enjoy writing them letters and drawing them pictures. If starving kids in another country are what you're looking to help, I'd check them out. My child is in Haiti. |
Re: I was hungry and...
I donate only to our local food bank and our local "soup kitchen." I don't do "charity" corporations any more.
Ask around, look in the phone book, and then visit the local agencies. See what they do for people. And if you're convinced they're doing the work of God - i.e., no corporate-lifestyle offices and landscaping - write them your check. |
Re: I was hungry and...
St Vincent de Paul society is a good one that doesnt waste a bunch of money on overhead.
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Quote:
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Maybe try to donate some of your time to a local food bank handing out or delivering meals to locals in need.
|
Re: I was hungry and...
One thing you can do is go to the nearest fire station and tell the folks there you'd like to anonymously donate some food to a needy family and did they know a needy family in the area?
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Our church (officially) collects canned food at the first service day of the month. The problem with direct giving is that you're gonna get sought by more than who you helped. Give, but give through some filtering element.
Wanna hook people up? Go buy meat and bread from any local discounters and give it to appropriate interests once the weather turns. Friggin' people will strain a turd to feed birds, but happily ignore hungry kids. |
Re: I was hungry and...
I actually need to thank you (Keef) for this thread, because it's been a while since I did any good deed like you're proposing to do, and I needed the reminder. Though the road's been tough for me and mine, we are overwhelmingly blessed as well, and we need to share it while we can. Cheers!
|
Re: I was hungry and...
I broke the fast tonight. I was in Krogers and they had a manager's special price on small wheels of Manchego Sheep's Milk cheese from Spain. First thing I ate.. FOOD TASTES SO GOOD when you haven't eaten for just a few days..
Everyone should try it once, just to know what hunger is really about. And we are spoiled, very few civilizations have enjoyed the lifestyle we americans have for the past fifty years.. No wonder why we are so worried about it possibly coming to an end. |
Re: I was hungry and...
Another angle here.
In my company (about 1500 people scattered across 5 facilities) We started The Great Food Competition some years ago. All the plants compete on a yearly basis for pounds donated to The local food banks. Well, the pounds have grown into multiple tons. Pretty helpful, because all the plants are in rural areas very Hard hit economically. Additionally, the company gives out turkeys at Thanksgiving and Hams at Christmas to all employees. I always gave mine to the local food bank, so that turned into A company tradition, also. Obviously, if your company does something like this, Cycling preps is a natural, and if your co. doesn't Get it started. scyth |
Re: I was hungry and...
Keef, any follow-up on this for us?
|
Re: I was hungry and...
hmmmmm.. I'm eating a crossant while I checked into the forum... Turned that sheep's cheese into topping on some excellent stuffed peppers..
and I forgot about the karmitic duty I needed to get off my chest, easy to do when your belly is full and the thought of hunger is just some far off gimmer/doomer collapsed economy scenerio.. Empty shelves in America? hard to imagine, really. But my conscience has been bothering me to do something. I saw a starving child in a pop up add at an online casino game I was playing the other day.. Pushed it to the side, out of sight/out of mind, while trying to fill a straight flush.. (strange place for such a advertisement) I don't want to go down in history with the hoard of indulgence and horn of plenty and not showing any concern for the hungry while I still had a chance.. It would put me on the side of the kamatic balance I don't want to be on. I was reading the web bots again at lunch break. If correct, we truly are at the twilight of a great age.. Your post is a reminder to me that time is running out. thanks... |
Re: I was hungry and...
Keef, thanks for this thread. It inspired me to something I had been meaning to do for awhile. It is important for everyone to work together now more than ever. You're a good dude.:coolbeer:
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Most Churches have a Benovelence(sp) fund that is used for people exclusively in need.
You can contact a Chruch and ask them about it and donate directly to the needy this way. My Chruch has approx 5 people a week asking for some help. E-A |
Re: I was hungry and...
Good for you, Keef! I send monthly checks to an organization that helps children and villages, and I try to give to food banks. It's also important not to overlook the people you come across in everyday life. There are a lot of people out there having a hard time right now. (And yes, I even occasionally give money to homeless people on the street...maybe they'll blow it on booze or maybe they just need to eat that day, but if it's the latter, they will). I was disabled for a number of years, and I'll never forget the people who helped me. I'd be a lot more bitter today if I hadn't had some true friends who helped me in a quiet little ways. I try to keep that going with the people I meet who might need a helping hand. One way to do that is to buy grocery store gift cards. I just tell the person I'm not using the card and ask them if they want it.
|
Re: I was hungry and...
Quote:
Last week I finally decided to just do it on my own. Guy I used to be buddies w/ is out of work... his wife just lost her job too - disabled grandmother's a live in. Neither one of them is very bright but they are pertty good folks and we're the Godparents of their daughter. I was able to slip 'em 5 franklins anonymously last week. Felt pretty good. |
Re: I was hungry and...
Quote:
Just be the "delivery boy" That way you are not insulting to the person that recieves your charity. Even the poor have there pride.......we must strive not to crush it. T |
Re: I was hungry and...
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Quoted for Truth My first year here I could not believe how fast the window gets slammed shut.... This year I "thought" I was ready and that thread stayed opened for about 30-45 minutes (if that) Until one GiMMer came in paid for the entire years server costs out of their pocket in one fell swoop (Many thanks to whoever you are) It really speaks volumes about a) How the owners and mods run this place b) how they always invest in making the GIM experince more pleasurable c) How the community responds when there is a need .....no one is forced and nobody has to be chided we all step up and do what has to be done. I really enjoy knowing that Im a part of someplace that have people of this caliber and above running around. And you better believe my @$$ is gonna be ready next year....... I need to get new handle under my name but I gotta earn it just like everybody else. So Im watching like a hawk |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:48 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright = None use it and Link to GIM