by L. Crane
Back in 2010, Dateline NBC showcased the touching story of the Friends and Neighbors Food Pantry in Cooleville, Ohio.(1)
While no response came from the White House to the children’s paper-plate-written pleas to President Obama for assistance, viewers of this program across the nation dug into their own pockets during this economic depression to send in their donations of dollars, goods, and even job offers to the unemployed food bank participants. The pantry received more than $15,000 in donations and began work on a second location this year.(2)
A similar response resulted from the airing of ABC’s special, “Children of the Mountains”, highlights the modern plight of those living in Appalachia.
“The oldest mountains in America are rich in natural beauty, with their raging creeks, steep hollows and old pines. They are also one of the poorest, most disadvantaged regions in America.
Central Appalachia has up to three times the national poverty rate, an epidemic of prescription drug abuse, the shortest life span in the nation, toothlessness, cancer and chronic depression.”(3)
Friends and Neighbors needs more contributions to complete the facility, and continue their services in the face of incredible local need, and so do these other charities require support to fulfill their overwhelming mission. This is the time of year when the charitable drives ramp up for your charitable dollars, whether it’s Save the Children, or St. Jude’s, or Toys for Tots, so it’s not just Santa deciding who gets what this season. It’s you deciding how much of your hard-earned resources you can give in this economy this year, and how much and to whom they should go, for maximum beneficial community effect.
So please take time to bring yourself up to speed on Friends and Neighbors Food Pantry and consider transferring some of what you plan to donate to Friends and Neighbors, or to other Appalachian charities such as:
Christian Appalachian Project
The Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation
Appalachian Region Missions
Appalachia Service Project
Robinson Scholars
You can find many others at this link.
Please make a point to support those not likely to appear on the United Way’s list of charities in your employer’s holiday season campaign this year.
(1) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38363219#38363219.
(2) http://www.athensohiotoday.com/news/friends-and-neighbors-to-break-ground-on-new-food-pantry/article_52696c00-9181-11e1-9bbb-0019bb2963f4.html
(3) http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6894153&page=1