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The possibilities are endless. The soup kitchen at the Salvation Army could serve a few more meals per week if only they had more volunteers. If they had more food donated, they could perhaps serve two meals a day. What does that have to do with you? Lots. Part of our responsibility for the privilege of living in a country like the United States is to look after our own. Yet every day millions of people go hungry. They aren't properly sheltered or clothed. And there are many things you and I can do to help this situation.
Have you ever visited your local grocery store or bakery, and notice all of the day-old bread and bakery products? Do you know what these establishments do with this food once it has become two days old? As a rule, they throw it out. That's right. Perfectly good food that someone could eat is being thrown away from your grocery store. And if it's happening there you can be certain there is ridiculous waste in other establishments as well.
You might ask, "Who would want to eat two-day old bread?" Look at it this way. if you purchase bread on Monday, and it's still in your kitchen on Wednesday, and you get a hankering for a sandwich, you eat the bread--right? What's the difference? Perfectly good food is being thrown out and people in communities just like yours and mine are going hungry. This is a travesty.
So how can someone like you make a difference? It's really quite simple. Approach the manager of a local store. Ask him or her what is done with items like two-day old bread and ripe produce. Ask them if you were willing to collect these items every other day for donation to a local soup kitchen, would they allow you to do so? It can't hurt to ask, and look at how many extra mouths this food could potentially feed.
If you think you're either too old or too young to volunteer, think again! Elderly folks can hold a small child on their lap and read to them in an elementary school or a pediatrics ward. They can color, show a class how to knit mittens, or bake a batch of cookies. Even young children can give hugs and share stories of what they did in school all day. They can color pictures and bring handmade cards. Some elderly folks in nursing homes have no visitors at all. They would be thrilled to have some children come to visit.
Are you a teen who maybe isn't comfortable spending time talking with people? Your local A.S.P.C.A. can always use volunteers to walk dogs, clean out pet cages, and feed the animals.
Are you a busy mom or dad who also works outside the home? Not everyone has an extra hour or two per week to spend somewhere else, in addition to work, housework, and their children's activities. How about bringing a large bag of dog food to the A.S.P.C.A? Or maybe a case of canned vegetables or soup to the soup kitchen? maybe the next time you're grocery shopping for your family, and you find items that say "buy one, get one free" you could donate the extra item to a food bank.
There is something everyone can do to be a volunteer within your community. And there are many people every day who desperately need the help of people just like you. Can't you think of perhaps one or two ways your family could help make life just a little bit easier for someone in need? You'll be surprised at the gift this brings. For it is in giving that we truly receive.
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