Monday 30 October 2017

Food And Education For Poor Children

By Kathleen Reed


Not only is caring for the poor something we all should do, it's something we all can do. Even those with no money to spend can share their time. If we all help, the problem can be solved - and much more efficiently than if we leave it all to some faceless government agency. Food and education for poor children is a worthy cause we all can get behind.

Public assistance is much in the news today. Some say we can't afford the programs we have, others say the poverty-stricken can't do without them. What is known is that many programs like 'no child left behind' and 'the war on poverty' cost billions of taxpayer dollars and achieve little.

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.

Churches often collect school supplies in late summer and give, for example, a loaded book bag to children who qualify for this aid. Congregations can form a relationship with one school, and those who pass out the book bags will get to know the children they are helping, as well as teachers and school officials.

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 form relationships with a particular school and even make sure that kids have food over the summer vacation. They collect boxes of cereal and jars of peanut butter and distribute them to registered families at the beginning of every month. The participants get to know each other, and both caregivers and recipients benefit. This is a great program, because no one has to give a lot but added together the gifts add up to more than enough.

As for education, there are almost as many opportunities to help. Run for your local school board and support cutting waste and promoting proven ways to improve schools. Volunteer to tutor a child whose parents can't afford to hire one. Speak to classes on why people need a good education or how to choose a career. Successful business professionals often teach at community colleges. Summer internships can introduce high school juniors and sophomores to the fields of law, business, finance, or civil service.

If you care, you can find a way to help. In your area, you will have civic organizations that buy eyeglasses for school kids, food banks that need volunteers, teams that need coaches, and after-school programs that need helpers or directors. Professionals can teach at a community college or speak at 'career day' at the high school. Commend stores or scout troops that collect packaged food or school supplies. Never pass up the opportunity to help a poor child get ahead.




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