Never underestimate a blessing. They come in all sizes from teeny tiny to large. A blessing can be anything. I am blessed in sooooo many ways each and every day! I am sure many of you are as well.
I like to think we can spread blessings around for no cost to us or for very little.
A kind word or a smile
A kind gesture
A gentle understanding - that maybe someone is just having a rough day
Giving to a food pantry or shelter
Donating goods to a thrift store
Being a thoughtful and kind neighbor
Just portraying a good humor and good attitude can change other's day
My neighbor asked if I would like to help - sure! It is helping his church - good! It is so benefiting a family needing help - WONDERFUL!
It makes my heart sing - to be able to help just a little. It is something we can all do. We can pull from our pantries, or we can purchase.
The church is donating turkeys - so others are donating the balance of a 'meal' to help someone else.
Such a simple thing. It doesn't cost much - really. Gosh I got a turkey pan for $1 and the cooking bags for 1.25 at the dollar stores. I got the potatoes and stuffing mix on sale at Kroger for $1 plus a little change. Can goods - some from home - others less than a $1 each for store brand.
This is something we can all do - not just at Thanksgiving - but around Christmas and during the winter months. People aren't just hungry at holidays. I give to the local food pantry from time to time.
Maybe you can do something like this through your church, or work organization, or sorority or whatever groups you belong to. OR maybe you can just do a bag of whatever types of food you have to share - for someone in the community that needs help.
I hope each person can open their hearts a little and help. Yes, a little can be a LOT to someone else.
Blessings to each of you!
I understand the push for food at Thanksgiving. It is very hard to get all those mailers this time of year asking for more and tossing them. I donate my annual budget monthly to the state Foodbank to provide food year-round which is super important in the summer when kids aren't at school having 2 meals M-F.
ReplyDeleteThat is great. Great cause.! Thank you!
DeleteYes, I hate those mailers. I understand the need to ask for donations - but quite making all those fliers and mailing them and then you have some extra funds!!!! Cynical sounding I know - but I donate and do what I choose not because of pressure
I had a clear out from my wardrobe and some odds and ends that were gathering dust for the local poorly animal charity shop. 3 big bags and they were thrilled. I had 2 of my neighbours help me to prepare my car for winter checking oil ect and the two gent's tought me where everything goes. So I like to think my act of kindness to the charity shop has been paid back to me by my neighbours kindness ☺ Clayre
ReplyDeleteIt all comes back to us in some way! Good deeds are just great to do - but it seems like good things come to those that enrich others. Glad it worked out on both sides!
DeleteYup! Our church has very close ties to the local food pantry so there's always a cart in church and a list of what they need most. The Outreach coordinator at our church is also in close with the schools and they'll often share a need. Last year there was a tween not going to school because he had no pants and it was too cold to wear shorts. The school let our OC know and she met him and his mom at the thrift store for some and used donated WM gift cards for the rest, like shoes, underclothes, etc. Mom was embarrassed to ask, but agreed when the school spoke to her privately with options. Many people don't even know such things exist like the St.Vincent de Paul society.
ReplyDeleteWhile we do the food pantry and SVdPS donations, my fave charity is for the critters! They're my weakness! Without them, my babies would have never found their way to us.
In Cali, we always got free turkeys for spending $25 or so at the market. We'd end up with several and donate them. They don't do that here at all. The first time I asked about it, the clerk looked at me like I had a zucchini growing out of my ear!!!
I also like to keep some extra cash just for the Salvation Army kettles.
That was so nice that the school reached out to the church. SO many people are embarrassed and just too proud to ask for help - so something discreet is always a Godsend.
DeleteI am not sure about free turkeys here anymore - haven't seen that in ages - but cheap, yeah there are many places for cheap ones.
I never pass a SA kettle without donating something. It is just one of my quirks!!!
Two loads of household dropped off at the donation center, check.
ReplyDeleteFor the last few years, I've done a 3-month Fall food pantry challenge. Items boxed in October go to the pantry Nov. 1, to help with Thanksgiving meals. November's box goes Dec. 1, to help with Christmas meals. December's box goes on Dec. 31 or first thing in January to help start the pantry's year out right. There are many images of 30-day food pantry challenges online, so pick one that you think you can accomplish each month and be someone's blessing. :-)
Love the idea of a pantry challenge. Thanks for making me aware of that!
DeleteI love this. I have heard of pantry challenges for home pantries - but this is a great spin on that. Helping others. Thank you!
DeleteYes, Cheryl, kindness takes very little effort and is always much appreciated. Whether giving what you can to those in need via food banks or charity shops, to a cheerful "hello"... it all matters. One thing I've done for decades (my sons grew up seeing it and do it themselves now) is to read employee name tags and refer to the guy or gal by name. You can do this very simply at the grocery store or wherever. As I leave, I say, "Have a great day/evening [name]," or "Thank you, [name]." It's simple and quickly becomes a habit. Sometimes the employee looks shocked, but I know it's appreciated. Acknowledging them as a person.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of grocery store employees (because I know this is off topic), for those with a Safeway store nearby, there are some buys this week you may not want to miss. London Broil and Top Round beef roasts are $2.77 lb., limit of 4. There's a HUGE list of produce for 99 cents per pound, including avocados, lettuce, bell peppers, grapefruit, celery, apples, most potatoes, navel oranges, cauliflower, several types of squash, and 6 oz. blueberries (1st 4). There are digial coupons for half gallon milk at $1.27 each (limit of 2) and 18 count eggs for $3.77 each (limit of 2). Clip or click coupon for Signature Select frozen veggies is $1.49 each (make sure to get the 16 oz. packages, limit of 4), and Friday only you can nab cream cheese (bricks), cottage cheese or sour cream at 3/$5. Also Marie Callender's frozen pies at $5 each, limit of 2. Safeway hasn't had any specific turkey sale, but through 11/24 will match the sale price from any other store for frozen turkeys.
We have a local food bank for a senior community that accepts fresh and frozen items. If there's one near you, some of those Safeway buys could be donated. Which reminds me, we've got to drop off some winterwear at the local thrift store SOON.
Wind is gusting today. I'm hoping we *don't* get snow. Have a safe, warm Wednesday, everyone! --Elise
Thanks for the heads up on the Safeway deals - there is only one left around me, and I haven't been in it in years. May need to check it out!
DeleteI love just doing little things for people. Helping someone gets something off a shelf (I am tall), smiling, telling them they look nice, etc. It all makes a difference.
Hope you don't get snow either!!!! It is beautiful here today!
I don't donate as much as I used to (and our food bank will not accept items past their best before date), but I do tend to make a small donation at the holidays. Their most recent mailer suggest that $1 will provide three meals, so even with a small donation I feel like I'm making an impact.
ReplyDeleteAny bit whatsoever helps. I love that there are so many ways to reach out to others. Maybe you will be their sunshine!
DeleteI saw in our online ads this morning that Aldi again has $1.07# turkeys. They also have butter for $2.49# with a limit of 6. By far the best price I've seen all year. I'm trying to decide if I should get 6 more. I have 12#s already....but the price will only go up..... As Murphys Law would have it, Dillons is doing 70% ground beef for $2.49#. since I already bought 30 lbs., I no longer need or have room for any. Potatoes are again $1.99 for 5#.. I haven't seen any baking goods on sale yet. Nothing else really got my attention, but I'll come through it again to make sure.
ReplyDeleteOur Aldi has those deals as well. Good price on butter. I would get it and freeze - you are right it will go up again!
DeleteSome great deals.
Aldi has been lowering some of their prices back to 2019 pricing - so maybe check them out!
In our little local paper, there is a story about a local community group making over 100 hampers for Xmas and needing non-perishable items. I am filling a box from my pantry for them. Tinned fruits, beans and veg as well as cereals, biscuits and jam plus a christmas fruit cake. It makes me feel glad to be able to make someone else's day a bit brighter and easier and to share what we have.
ReplyDeleteMeg
Love it. Thank you! Sometimes I wonder if the giver isn't blessed more than the recipient!!!! It is such a wonderful feeling.
DeleteOh I love that Cheryl, Being a blessing to someone else feels like you are getting the blessing too! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI believe you ARE getting a blessing. A spirit that thrives and loves.
DeleteActually, they have proved that we are happiest when we are giving.
ReplyDeleteTHAT IS WHEN WE TRUELY FEEL THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST. You are such a good example.
Ah thank you. Give with an open heart and the spirit of Christ comes forth in us. Yes, I do believe that.
DeleteOur church collects food for Christmas Hampers every year. I really enjoy giving from the house and picking up items from the store to fill them.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks, Cheryl. I do think there is something we can all do...even small gestures. My daughter's hubby travels a lot and brings home the little things they leave in the bathrooms of the hotels. When I get a bag of them I take them down to the homeless shelter. They are just the right size to be handed out for showering, etc. They love getting the shampoos and lotions and sometimes I go to the $ store and pick up toothbrushes. We can all do a little and it means a lot. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteLove that! Yes, those sample sizes are just the right size. I used to have a place I could bags of them - soaps, shampoo, lotion, etc. I would make up little bags with added toothbrushes and hand wipes and a washcloth - to give out. It seemed so little for me, but they were thrilled.
DeleteThank you!
Sometimes what seems like a little to us means a lot to a person in need. That is what I like about Wheeler Mission. They have a push at the holidays but they are aware of needs throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteThere is always a need for sure. It seems most people think about it when it is the holidays or cold - need is always there.
DeleteThe Mission is a great place.
Friends who are the head of a mission organization in Africa are raising money for a truck load of food for an area where the people are starving. This seemed to be a good area to donate some real money. Can we imagine such a thing? Here we have options for help but these people are truly starving to death with no local help.
ReplyDeleteI always order a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving, so I give the one I 'earn' with my supermarket points to a local turkey drive every year. Every little bit helps someone else. We also have a food bank in my town and a local restaurant donates almost a thousand Thanksgiving dinners every year
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