Urgent Appeal

Keep in mind that people need to eat every day.. not just at Holidays. So... give again!

Portland, Oregon homeless, Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(WINDSOR, N.H.) - Christmas is fast approaching and food pantries along with “soup” kitchens across America are almost universally experiencing hardship. Not only are pantries suffering major shortages in supplies and donations, they are experiencing dramatically increased numbers of homeless and/or hungry patrons.

In conversations with a number of Samaritan services throughout the nation a picture emerges that fails to support the “official” statements of elected representatives from Selectmen all the way up to the President.

Those “official” statements almost without exception, are painted with exceedingly broad strokes attempting to convince us all that the economy is improving, productivity and demand are up, jobless claims are dropping and, while improvement is not coming as swiftly as “we” all have hoped, it is coming none the less.

The snapshots of reality provided by the pantries and kitchens, through the truly remarkable volunteers who man them and somehow manage to make them work, show a nation

Homeless of Downtown LA Bonnie King Salem-News.com

suffering in the same vein as those children, elderly and young to middle age heart broken individuals and families from 3rd world nations, that we have seen on TV "Urgent Appeals" for decades, lining up for cups full of rice and dried beans, powdered milk and hardtack.

One glaring difference between those appeals and an emergent reality in “The Greatest Nation on Earth” is the rapidly increasing number of military people not doling out those cups of grain, but reaching out with their cups to receive grain.

The volunteers have, through chatting with, and trying to bring some sense of dignity and joy to all their patrons, learned that many of the new faces (and there are many) are recently, or fairly recently, returned fighters and support personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan and that their tales of return to the country that shipped them out to “defend their nation and the Constitution” are enough to make one both deeply saddened and violently sick.

A number of writers for Salem-News hit upon these stories in a variety of ways. This appeal is not purposed to revisit these heart breaking stories or expose more. It is a direct URGENT APPEAL for all of Salem-News readers to examine their hearts and minds and reach for their pens and wallets.

An amazing movement recently began in the US. Yes, the OCCUPY movement is that movement. For the past few months, months longer than main stream media and politicians believed possible, the OCCUPY movement has opened its arms and its donations to the homeless and/or hungry wherever they were able to set up a makeshift kitchen or pantry.

In those areas where these kitchens and pantries existed, the local pantries and kitchens experienced some relief and were better able to handle the usual yet still growing numbers. Since the Mayors and Selectmen of these cities saw fit to conspire against the OCCUPY volunteers (Yes, Occupiers are not, despite the lies of FOX and others, paid) and systematically, violently and illegally raided these encampments and viciously destroyed their equipment and supplies, the local pantries and kitchens have been stressed (more than usual), and had their ability to serve depleted beyond what most private citizens can comprehend.

Adding to this is the ever growing number of evictions and foreclosures around the nation ( Dickensian in their Holiday increase) forcing families to live in cars and trucks and boxes.. hiding themselves in wooded areas and elsewhere to avoid further harassment and embarrassment... emerging at these local pantries and kitchens to survive one day at a time.

Homeless of Downtown LA Bonnie King Salem-News.com

The protectors, and those they were charged to protect, now meet and greet in the soup lines of America.. THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

We, those who still have a roof over our heads, a job or some other means (that at least keeps us a week or two away from the streets and “soup” kitchens) cannot change this picture over night. We can, however, make an effort to show the world that some of us still have hearts and are, in some way, willing to fulfill the image of our nation as “The Greatest”.

We can put some paper or coins in our hands and extend them to those less fortunate.. and we can acknowledge those young men and women who joined the military thinking, and falsely lead to believe, they were fighting for the security of a nation of people and a Constitution of, by and for the people.

Put in your minds the image of your friends or families standing in a bread line or a soup line, hunting boxes and newspapers to build a shelter for the night, getting targeted by street thugs and police for harassment and beatings, rapes and murder.

Put in your minds the picture of a young man or woman who only weeks earlier faced EID's, bullets and ambush walking tall in a sharp uniform, proud of his/her country, off the plane or ship which brought him/her home, being handed his/her bags, address for nearest VA and a “see ya” send off. Picture them pulling trash bags over their bodies as they grab for a center perch under a highway bridge.

Homeless of Downtown LA Bonnie King Salem-News.com

Suffering trauma and stress, which magnifies as reality begins to set in and the fight or flight mechanisms attempt to adjust, the mind and body short circuit and the world becomes increasingly difficult to navigate. Abandoned by friends and spouses, families and the military itself, these brave souls deteriorate rapidly. In a same or similar manner, many individuals having worked hard for decades and suddenly finding themselves unable to meet obligations, foreclosed upon and tossed out into a world that offers nothing, or barely minimal assist, also deteriorate rapidly.

Now picture these souls lined up at the kitchen door, bellies aching for sustenance, perhaps 2 or three small kids in tow, being told the pantry is empty and no more meals will be served tonight.. and possibly tomorrow and maybe for several days.

And finally, picture yourself with your spouse and kids facing a tearful volunteer who gives you the sad news.

While you can, reach for that check book, your wallet, those coins in your couch... and give. Just give. Don't hem or haw. Just give. Find the nearest pantry or kitchen and drop off some cash, some cans or boxes.. or even leftovers from dinner. It is amazing how these volunteer can turn a mishmash of food stuffs into a wholesome meal and truly amazing how many they can feed on a dime.

Just give...and while you're at it, give some thanks to those remarkable volunteers (maybe even offer a hand.. not just for a shake, but to maybe open a can or ladle out the stew or pour the coffee).

Keep in mind that people need to eat every day.. not just at Holidays. So... give again!.

PS: (Work for Peace. Work for Justice. Work for Truth. Support your nearest OCCUPY.. They, like your local kitchens and pantries ARE making a difference in a very troubled world).

He is the Creator of Thought Addiction programs (Lectures Seminars & Workshops) (Intensive 21 day Addiction Recovery Programs designed for Artists, Actors, Musicians & Industry Leaders) residing in New Hampshire (US). (The Website for M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. is currently under reconstruction) Contact: mdp54@gsinet.net 1-603-478-1544