"A Hungry Man...

... is an angry man" Bob Marley would sing. Sage fellow, Marley.

I have been thinking a lot lately, perhaps inspired by this season - as it were - of "giving", about the way poverty and need have such broad ranging effects on the way we humans treat each other. To me it appears as if we Americans often see those who are destitute as lazy, as crazy, as being in despair, as living in a third world country, as different from us... as dangerous.

Yet this is actually about the point in our existence where we are all exactly the same. We all want to be healthy. We all want to have enough food and adequate shelter and, given that, provide for our families. When we can provide those basics for our families, we hope to better our lives and have our children be educated... For children are the future and education is the key that unlocks its potential.

We also, fairly universally, do not want to be dependent on others. And finding ourselves through circumstance to be forced to be in that position individually, as a family, group, community, or tribe, can elicit deep emotions from frustration to sorrow to rage. Yes, a hungry man is an angry man, and an impoverished community is desperate. It is difficult to focus on peace, education, or anything but survival when times are hard and the situation is only one of frustration.

And hard times are here. The economy has reached a tipping point and the results are being felt at all levels, with the promise of a slower time before it gets any better. We could be in it for a long haul. But as difficult as things may be getting for us, with those for whom it has always been rough it is now harder still. While the number of those in need in our towns, our states, our country and, in fact, the world, gets to be more and more, the ability of others to help support them is decreasing. Food banks and other charities are facing more challenges than ever trying to do their important work.

While there should be no specific season of giving - generosity and caring for others should always be part of our lives - the Christmas season is traditionally associated with the spirit of sharing with those less fortunate than ourselves. We would like to share a few of our favorite methods and organizations who do good work.

Of course, do what you can to support your community. Volunteer or otherwise assist the schools, churches, food banks, and other groups that tend to the health, welfare, and education of our neighbors.
Be aware of what is happening in the larger picture and follow your heart to participate and support those issues which speak to you. From donations to writing letters to mentoring a child, your effort is valuable. Visit someone who is housebound and lonely, take food to someone who is hungry.

Many fine organizations exist which address the needs of others on every level. We particularly like:
Heifer International, working to end hunger and care for the earth by giving people around the world the knowledge and tools they need to improve their environment and support themselves.
The Stamp Project is one’s woman’s simple organization where you send stamps you tear off of letters and she sells them to a jobber and uses the money to support rural health programs in India and Nepal. Send stamps to: The Stamp Project, 340 Carter Street#2, Vallejo, Ca. 94590
Kiva is an online platform for making small loans (as little as $25) to entrepreneurs in the developing world, similar to the Grameen Bank of India, helping them lift themselves out of poverty.
Another simple way to help that is fun for even the youngest computer savvy child is a word game that gives away free rice through the U.N. world food program. While only 20 grains of rice are donated for each correct answer, it is a perfect example of how every little bit adds up... over 54 BILLION grains of rice have been donated since the game began. And you really do improve your vocabulary in the process. It drives me nuts when I don't know the correct answer!
The possibilities are endless.
The list goes on and on...

And, remember, every time you buy a bar of Simmons special Soap we donate 2% of its cost to Heifer International.

May your holiday be peaceful, joyous, and both prosperous and generous.