SHARING AND CARING

I posted a typical, but sincere, offer to any friends in need by copying and pasting this to my personal FaceBook page and received a tremendous response, along with places people could receive assistance. Here is the post:

If ANYONE is not working/not getting an income and runs out of food, or struggling in any reasonable way.. please don’t go to sleep with an empty stomach. Don’t be afraid to send me a private message. I will be more than happy to share whatever I have. I am not rich, nor poor, just the average person, and I will share whatever I can. Even just for a box of noodles, a loaf of bread or milk. I will find a way to drop it off at your doorstep, no questions asked!

#JoinTheCause
CopyAndPasteIfYouCanAndAreWilling ❤️

I received an incredible response from folks offering the same, as well as links for people in a different places to find help.

For example, a friend from West Pasco posted:

If anyone in west Pasco need food our church has an amazing food pantry. Friday from 8:00-12:00. 
Gulfview Grace on Hammock Road in Port Richey.

Another friend from Vermont posted:

Our Vermont church has a pantry as well, 2nd Monday and 4th Thursday each month, no questions, delivered to the car in the parking lot. fccej.org

I’d like to add the food bank I give time and donations to in Dunedin is providing food and personal care items on Thursdays between 10 and noon. It is called Dunedin Cares and is located on Pinehurst behind the Lutheran Church (across from Dunedin High). https://dunedincares.org

Metropolitan Ministries also provides for many in our area. Here is their website for more information: https://www.metromin.org

I realized that there are places all over the county that are reaching out during this time of isolation to help. In Pasco Country, the libraries, although closed, have provided Unemployment Application forms outside of their doors. I also saw that businesses are cooking and providing meals for those in need.

Here are some ideas:

Offer assistance to local friends by copying and pasting the post above.
If there are some who need food, get a list from each and shop for them. Deliver the groceries to their door. Make sure you let them know when it arrives in case perishables need refrigeration.
If you know of a group or organization that is helping in this area, please provide in the comments below and add to the list of links. Then if someone is in need, send them to this site.
Share links and information once every week or two in your social media. People who may not need assistance early on may need it later.
Continue BOGO giving to local food banks.
Get with local charities to see what their needs are, and if you can contribute time, talent, or treasure, consider doing it. Even two hours a week helps.

Remember that we are all in this together. This is not looking at blame or faults; it’s looking at helping people with basic needs during these crazy times. The issues that worsened during this time may take years to heal, but with neighbor helping neighbor, we will rebuild from the foundation of what makes our country a wonderful place to be, where we can still live the American Dream. No, it’s not about politics; it’s about grassroots initiatives that begin with loving our neighbors. It’s about planting seeds of hope even when we feel hopeless; and reaching out, even when we are stuck inside.