Sometimes a Little, Really Means A lot

I have to admit, despite almost all my bedroom furniture being hand-me downs, growing up in clothing that wasn't always brand name clothing, I grew up comfortable. I never truly went hungry or slept outside because I had no choice. I was never forced to experience a childhood from the sidelines while other kids played sports, I may not of had the best equipment but I still played. I never had endure blistering Canadian winter without a coat but for a lot of people those things are a reality.

I live in a world where I go to a grocery store with a solitary box titled "Food Bank" just beyond the check out. A positive thing but when I peak inside and see a couple packages of ramen, half a dozen cans of peas and few boxes of Kraft Dinner despite the 300-500 people that have checked out through the day? it's pretty sad isn't it.
Sure the economic situations aren't ideal and a lot of us bring home the groceries and can't believe thats all we got with $150,  while a lot of people go hungry that night, at least we were able to get.
I sit back and I even look at myself. How many times have I ran to the store to pick up burger buns that cost three bucks broke a five and stashed the change and walked out right past that box. Would it have been to much work to grab a can peas and carrots for the box, NO. Would I have gone hungry the next day because I bought that can of food, No. Would some else have had something to eat, Yes. I wonder what kind of difference it would make if everybody who had the means to shop for groceries bought one extra non-perishable item for the food bank or gave up one from what they already bought, probably a hell of a lot.

I find myself pondering at night how many of us have winter jackets in our closet that honestly we'd never wear again. How many families have their kid's old winter jackets just tossed away in some box in the basement while each year several children don't have warm coats. Cause believe me winter can be harsh enough with a good winter jacket let alone without.
The thing is I live in a world where I can do something with my old coats now that my nephew has outgrown me! If I'm getting a new coat for the winter. I specifically go to WEST 49 and drop of my current coat in their coats for kids barrel, that way I know something good will become of it. WEST 49 also offers $25 off any winter jacket they carry which is awesome.  Even if WEST 49 wasn't my thing I'd still drop off the coat because it's convenient means of getting rid of an old coat and doing somebody a world of good.

It's crazy when I think about it despite there being a lot of people in this world who only think of themselves. In a world that often seems so dark with several of us so caught up in our own lives and what we view as despair that we often forget those who are in a true position of despair. In that same world world of darkness there are tons of these little lights like West 49's Coats for Kids, Canadian Tire's  JumpStart Program, The local food banks and homeless shelter out their flickering like stars in a country side's night sky....face it stars are so much better out in the country than the city.

The way I see it there are literally organizations and people out there that are making helping those in need relatively idiot proof a complete guide for dummies has been laid out for us in a position to do something, to do something.  We might as well do something, we feel better about ourselves, those that et helped feel better about themselves....it's really a win/win.

-Hutch