May 28, 2009
grace in small things: thirty five
It’s hard these days not to obsess about the economy; we’re thinking more carefully about every dime, and we have friends who are really struggling, suddenly, just to get through the month. We’ve always tried to make the boys understand how very fortunate they are, and to see all of the things that they take for granted; in the past, this has mostly been stuff like a playroom full of toys and private school, but lately, we’ve been talking about things like food and shelter — the basics.
My kids have a hard time imagining what it would be like to be hungry — there is always food in our house, and the worst case scenario for them is having to eat what I am serving instead of a meal they have cobbled together out of kid food (cheese sticks and chicken nuggets and fish crackers). The idea that a family might not know where their next meal is coming from is completely baffling to them.
I’m grateful for that, really, but I also want them to be aware that not everyone gets to choose between two different kinds of cookies for lunch, or have a Gatorade for every baseball practice. I want them to know that those choices come with a responsibility — if we can afford Gatorade and fancy cookies, we can afford to share what we have with those who have less. Not only can we, we need to, because it’s the right thing to do.
Here are five ways you can share with families who need a helping hand.
1. Sign the Scotts’ GroGood pledge, and help them help Feeding America.
2. Participate in Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale.
3. Clean out a closet and donate what you can’t use to a group like Habitat for Humanity.
4. Host a dinner party: provide all the food and ask your guests to bring donations (cash or canned goods) for your local food bank.
5. Help your kids host a book party: each child brings a gently used book (or two) that you donate to a shelter or to the local Ronald McDonald house. Do a craft where kids write and decorate their own books.
I really believe that the more we have, the more we should give, but I also believe that the more you give, the more you will feel like you have enough.
Scotts GroGood is helping me give something this week — I’m giving away an edible garden kit! You have until midnight CST Friday to enter — just go here and leave a comment.
Posted by Susan @ 4:46 pm • grace in small things
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May 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pm, heels Says:
Habitat is an AMAZING program, and they frequently need volunteers with even a little bit of time. Often, there are volunteering options that DO NOT include building (though that part is pretty fun). I have volunteered for fundraising events, even doing as little as spending an hour designing fliers. Check it out- they are a great an worthy group.
May 28th, 2009 at 5:20 pm, ali Says:
i was just at a Ronald McDonald house this past week. they can REALLY use your books. i think having a book party to get kids excited about donating is a GREAT idea!
May 28th, 2009 at 5:49 pm, Corey Says:
I work at a Ronald McDonald House. Thanks so much for the mention! There are many around the country, but if I may speak for mine….our busy season is summer and we always need more food. Canned, non-perishable, frozen, or even home-cooked meals. Books too are a good idea too and always needed as well (because I certainly don’t want to sound picky!)
Thanks again!!
May 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pm, Tracy Says:
We started a community garden at our church and part of our by laws is that the first fruits will be donated to a needy cause such as a local food bank. I can’t wait to take a big basket of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and peppers. They do not often get fresh produce to hand out to clients.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm, Lauren Says:
#5 is a great thing to encourage your local library to add as a part of their summer reading program. Our neighborhood library did this every year — they’d screen films based on books and admission was one used book to be donated to charity.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:57 am, Shannon Says:
Aw, this is so nice to read. Our family regularly goes through our things and chooses toys/books/etc. to purge and give away to a donation truck that comes through the neighborhood once a month. We talk to our girls about how some children don’t even have toys, and that we can give them the ones we are too old for now. It’s hard for them to grasp, I agree. This past winter we went through a rough patch where we had to tighten our belts even more than usual, and it was hard to try to explain to them why we couldn’t afford some of the things their little friends had or did. My girls are only 2 and 4 so it’s beyond their comprehension, but I do agree it’s so important to start discussing values like this when they’re little.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:18 am, Alice Marshall Says:
Thank you so very much for this beautiful post, and thank you for including Share Our Strength with these fine groups.
Grace in small things is a wonderful category.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am, Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com Says:
#6 - Volunteer at your local armory, shelter, soup kitchen, harvest bank, or food pantry. For years, I spent huge chunks of my time showing kids the ropes at the soup kitchen nearest my home when their parents brought them in. It made a huge difference for them to put faces to the trials they’d heard about, and they always felt good about themselves when they helped out.
=)
May 31st, 2009 at 8:02 am, Sue Says:
I love this post and I totally agree with your statement, “I really believe that the more we have, the more we should give, but I also believe that the more you give, the more you will feel like you have enough.” I want to hang that on my wall!
I feel like being grateful for what we have and giving to others is one of the most important things I need to teach my kids. Thanks so much for such a perfect reminder.