Frugality and hunger

A short one today as we try to survive finals...

This Saturday, May 14, 2011, is a Letter Carriers' food drive that I assume is a national event. To participate, leave a bag of non-perishable food items at the mailbox, and the letter carriers will pick them up to deliver to local food banks. Don't include anything that needs refrigeration, has expired, or is in a glass container (a reasonable request as glass jars would require special handling).

This is a good time to donate food items that may be approaching the end of their safe shelf life. My guess is anything with at least a month left on it gives the food bank enough time to process and redistribute it with enough time for the recipient to use it. Be more cautious with foods that can be dangerous such as canned meats, vegetables, and fruits than with foods that may simply be stale after that date.

Even if you don't donate for this event, keep opportunities like this in mind to pass on a little of what you have to help those who need it. Remember, everyone has received help from someone at some point in their lives, even if it was nothing more than the loan of a pencil in class. Most of us have been helped at some moment of crisis by friends or family or even complete strangers (I have had flat tires changed by strangers passing by at least 3 times in the last 7 or 8 years alone). Pass that on. 

Donating food rather than letting it go to waste is one of the easiest forms of charity, and one of the most useful. I admit I have some reservations about many charities as I'm not always impressed with their priorities, but food and clothing and blankets can only be used to feed and clothe people and keep them warm.