Saturday 21 October 2017

Join In Efforts To Provide Food And Education For Poor Children

By Kathleen Reed


Helping the poor is something everyone should do. Children deserve compassionate aid from the community around them. Fortunately, many people enjoy helping. It's best when private individuals or groups help, since aid is not diluted by passing through a government agency. The personal touch is also valuable; relationships can be formed that may last long after a child no longer needs food and education for poor children.

Some truly believe that the government should take care of these needs. However, anyone seeing how much money goes into administration and how little real good is achieved for massive expenditure will realize there is a better way. Policies like 'no child left behind' or 'the war on poverty' have cost billions and improved things little if at all.

Local efforts make the most difference. If churches, civic organizations, and businesses join in the effort to feed and educate local youth, real results are seen. Run by volunteers, the programs pay no salaries and cost the taxpayers nothing. All the goods or services go directly to those who need them, doing the good the donors expect.

For instance, churches often collect school supplies before a new year starts, so poorer kids can have what they need. A family can stock a new book bag with all the items on the list for that grade level, or people can bring in a pack of pencils or a notebook. Those who can't afford to give can help deliver the items to the school.

In many areas, department stores place boxes near the door for shoppers to fill with school supplies or packaged groceries, depending on the need. It's easy for most families to donate a box of crayons, a notebook, or a pack of pencils while they are doing their own 'back to school' shopping. People enjoy dropping a box of cake mix or a can of baked beans into the box on their way out of the store.

Some churches and other groups collect cereal and peanut butter to feed children during the summer months, when they can no longer get lunch at school. These popular foods are passed out monthly, letting families know that people care all year round. Schools, stores, and local banks often have canned food drives, where people can donate items for local food banks or other programs. This is a way for people to help others just a little at a time. When enough individual donations are put together, a lot of people can be helped.

There are lots of opportunities in the area of education besides giving school supplies. People can offer free tutoring to students of all levels. Local business professionals may speak at schools or teach at community colleges. Businesses can offer internships or summer programs to introduce high school kids to the world of law, finance, or retail.

You can research volunteer opportunities online, participate at church or at work, and help out with local food drives. You can help a poor family connect with services they need. You might want to sponsor a music or art program after school, or help a civic organization buy eyeglasses for a student. There are really as many opportunities to help as there are needs.




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