Do you donate to those less fortunate?
By cmauthe1
@cmauthe1 (267)
Canada
January 9, 2010 5:47pm CST
I heard a story today that found a warm place in my heart. I don't know if it's true or not, but if it isn't, then it should be...
It seems that a mother was recently approached by her teenage daughter who asked for a new $160 piece of electronics equipment to replace her old one. Her old one by the way, was only a year old and was working fine. The wise mom said she would think about it, but first could her daughter help her with some errands that afternoon.
That afternoon the mother and daughter climbed in their car and headed for the local grocery store. Once there, the mom went straight to the bulk foods section and started loading food in the cart. Soon two shopping carts were overflowing with bags of generic rice, sacks of potatoes, boxes of noodles, cases of canned veggies, jars of peanut butter and jelly and loaves upon loaves of bread.
Without a word, the mom headed to the check out, paid for the food and loaded up the car. The daughter was curious, but said nothing.
The mom then drove in silence to the local food bank. Still silent, she started to carry in the groceries while her startled daughter helped. Soon both of them were filling up the empty shelves while workers and needy families looked on. After a few seconds however, both of them were showered with teary eyes, crushed with hugs and thanked with more "God Bless You"'s than the daughter had ever heard before.
As they were driving home , the mom finally smiled and handed her daughter the receipt for the groceries. The total was $162 and change. "That's what $160 is really worth", the mom said. "Now, next week we can buy you that gadget you want or we can make another trip to shop for the food bank that helped keep us alive and together when you were just a baby. It's up to you."
The daughter smiled with tears in her eyes and said, "I'll be shopping with you, Mom!"
As a young single mother (I was 23, quite some years ago now), if it hadn't have been for the food bank and the thrift stores, my family would have been in very dire straits. If I had not nursed my child, I probably would not have been able to afford to eat sometimes myself.
My question to you is the one stated in the subject line. I believe that charity does start at home, do you?
1 response
@cmauthe1 (267)
• Canada
10 Jan 10
My husband is not working at the moment either. Seems to be alot of that going around during this recession.
We can't always donate cash, but we always donate to the food bank, take unwanted items to the thrift store and also I donate handmade jewelry to local auctions for certain charities (ie paws & claws, SPCA, the SNAP program (spay & neuter).
I think it's important to remember that someone trash is someone else's treasure. You might not like that old winter coat or boots, but for someone who doesn't have those items, they can be a godsend.
Good luck to you and your family and I hope that 2010 is the best year yet for you.