Adopt a Family

1. 59

   Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

   My PSA for the month!
   
   Some of you know our family story & some of you don't.  In short, my husband was laid off from his job of 17 years in 8/2009.  In 1/2010 he started a new position, 2,000 miles from our home and we moved!  We are blessed!
   
   I was searching our local community website to adopt a family.  The family is large - with three families living together.  Their cupboards and fridge were bare when I spoke with the social worker earlier this week.
   
   I can't possibly describe in words how it felt to go grocery shopping for 6 children (3 children are two and 3 children are seven) and six adults - best grocery store run I've ever made.  And then I did Christmas shopping as they do celebrate Christmas.  My hubby and I cut loose in the clothing department and toys.
   
   We will continue to help this family out through social services beyond the Christmas season.
   
   I challenge everyone here, if you have a little bit of money, you can easily buy one meal for a family in need.  If you need help finding a family, look no farther than your county social services agency or there are many non-profit organizations that are looking for complete meal baskets.  There are families all over who can use our help to fill their tummies.
   
   ~jane~

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2. 77

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   This is a wonderful challenge, Jane@CM!  Thanks for sharing this.
   
   Another source of names could be some of the local schools.  I have seen some schools that would do an outreach during winter holiday celebrations, to match up families in need (from their school) with people willing to help them out.

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3. 75

   Richieb799posted 14 years ago

   Nice to see people showing some humanity at this time of year!

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4. 83

   habeeposted 14 years ago

   We did this last year for a family with 10 kids. A good friend helped. I got my grandkids to pick out the toys for the needy kids their age, which I think was a good lesson for the grands.
   This year, I bought for a single mother and her two kids. One of the kids is very sick, so the mom has had to miss a lot of work.
   
   If everyone on these forums who says they're so concerned with the plight of the needy really are concerned, I hope they meet Jane's challenge! I dare ya!!

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5. 0

   Home Girlposted 14 years ago

   They cupboards are bare but they all probably(grown ups) smoke, what do you think? Sorry, for asking, but I've seen so many examples here in Canada poor families with children and the parents both smoke and have money for beer (what else?) but not for children's proper lunch or dinner.
   I don't know. I came to Canada with $5 in my pocket and 3 kids in tow. I was scared like hell. I never-ever had anybody to come and bring something for free to my children. Only people from charities would knock and ask for money. I would answer, "you need to help poor? This is the right place, we need help, we are poor." They would look at me like I am crazy and run away with a smile. They always smile. That's why I don't believe in charities. Free lunch at school would be a great idea! Or free gifts of warm clothing for children that don't have it. of course if you personaly know somebody and want to help them, - that's very noble of you I should say.

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   1. 77

      Aficionadaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      Do Canadian schools not have free lunch?  Ours do (free breakfast also), but the family has to go through an annual application process which involves providing income information.
      
      Of all the social services available in the US, I think that this is the one I support the most, because kids can't learn if they are hungry.  If they can't learn, there's less of a chance that they will get a good job later and eventually break the poverty cycle.  And it's not the child's fault if their parents are not providing nourishing meals.  The child suffers for the parents' struggles or outright failures.

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6. 59

   Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

   Yea for all who are on board!!!

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