Because It Is Shameful That In This Country, Where There is Enough Food To Feed Every Man, Woman and Child, One in Six people Faces Hunger . . .

Feeding America

"The Feeding America network secures and provides food for families in need; operates programs that promote self-sufficiency; educates the public about hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry."

* Find a Local Food bank *

* Ways To Give *

Hunger hurts all year long, but it hurts more at Thanksgiving.

Everyone Else is Way Ahead of Me on This . . .

The death toll for the earthquake in Nepal is over 7,500 as of today, with more than twice that injured, and after shocks have continued hamper rescue efforts. The devastation has flattened entire villages and destroyed Historic and World Heritage sites, many of which will never be replaced.

 

It is feared that this year's harvest will be reduced or even lost because manpower has been turned to rescue and survival, rather than agriculture. This will compound and prolong already unimaginable suffering. 

 

If you can help, even the smallest donation to the general fund so that Red Cross can put it where it is needed most would help greatly. If Red Cross is not your cup of tea, no problem, give where you feel most confident. If you would like suggestions for alternate giving, there are some included in the links below.

 

 

Here are a couple of posts with some relevant information and links on giving:

• How to Donate Wisely.
• [Update] How to Donate Wisely.

 

Red Cross   Direct Link for Red Cross Donations

. . . and May Dog Bless You!

Meet Lucky, the loyal founder of Dog Bless You.

Dog Bless You supports nonprofits that pair service dogs with war veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Start here to explore and learn about all the lives that have been changed by a service dog. Enjoy photos, films, live cams, blogs, and more.

Also, 

A few dog quotes:

“Dogs’ lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you’re going to lose a dog, and there’s going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can’t support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There’s such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions,”

 - Dean Koontz,

 The Darkest Evening of the Year.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring – it was peace,”

 - Milan Kundera,

 as quoted in The Canine Hiker’s Bible. 

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened,”

 – Anatole France.

“Dogs are minor angels, and I don’t mean that facetiously. They love unconditionally, forgive immediately, are the truest of friends, willing to do anything that makes us happy, etcetera. If we attributed some of those qualities to a person we would say they are special. If they had all of them, we would call them angelic. But because it’s ‘only’ a dog, we dismiss them as sweet or funny but little more. However when you think about it, what are the things that we most like in another human being? Many times those qualities are seen in our dogs every single day — we’re just so used to them that we pay no attention,”

 - Jonathan Carroll.

I Have Some Catching Up to Do

I've been out sick for a week or so, and happily, the blog just went on its merry way, on a sort of auto pilot. But . . .

You know how folks with OCD feel compelled to complete their tasks for fear that something bad will happen? Well, I have a hard time disconnecting from the news (whatever the source) for fear that I will miss something. This isn't a fear that I won't know everything. More like a fear that something will sneak up behind me, and there'll be no defense. . . . I was out of touch and bad things happened. I'm sorry.

Yeah, I know. But therapy is expensive.

My heart breaks for those whose lives have been marred by tragedy. I feel so insignificant, inconsequential, and there is so little I can do. But this is not about me. There is so much I'd like to say, but what it all comes down to is, these people need action not words. Many of them are going to have overwhelming medical debt to compound their suffering. I could not be the one to jump hurdles or rush into the smoke and flames, but I can give the little bit I have to help someone else. I hope you'll join me.


Here are a couple of posts with some 

relevant information and links on giving:

• How to Donate Wisely.
• [Update] How to Donate Wisely.

Here are a couple of established charities with

great track records:

* Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund contributions assist Red Cross relief efforts everywhere.

* Limbs For Life Foundation helps people with serious limb trauma, leading to expensive rehabilitation and prosthetics they can't afford.


And some area specific charities:

Boston

(from the Boston AG) Donors should check if charities are registered or have been rated on websites such as charitynavigator.org, bbb.org/charity or the attorney general’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division at mass.gov/charitiesreports. Also check if websites that solicit donations match an established charity, are secure and have been linked by legitimate organizations. Visit mass.gov/ago for more tips on donating wisely.

* onefundboston.org. (Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino established this fund after the attack.)

* Visit www.bosfirecu.com to donate. (At least six Boston police and firefighters unions set up this fund after the bombing to aid victims. It is set up at the Boston Firefighters Credit Union.)

* Visit americasfund.org/donate. Click “yes” for the question, “Is this donation in support of an event, campaign or fundraiser?” Select “Boston Marathon Relief Fund” from the next drop-down menu.

(This nonprofit has established a Boston Marathon Relief Fund as part of its existing America’s Fund to assist victims of the bombing.)

According to its website, the Semper Fi Fund has raised $74 million over the past decade to help injured or critically ill U.S. troops and their families. Assistance from the Boston Marathon Relief Fund “will start with the most critically injured and expand as we receive donations,” the website says.

Charity Navigator has given the Semper Fi Fund its highest four-star rating, and the group is registered both as a nonprofit and with the attorney general’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division.

Texas

* The Blood Center of Central Texas. With so many injured, blood will be in high demand at hospitals and emergency stations. Consider making an appointment to give later in the month.

* Atheist Giving Aid. We don’t get the luxury of planning for when tragedies strike. 

* Catholic Charities, Central Texas works with the Red Cross and handles more long-term case management.


Also . . . 

* We might spare a thought for the victims of the Exxon Oil pipeline breaks. (if you're brave try this link to a list of American oil spills in the 20th century.)

* Remember the town of Newton, Mass. (and every other town) and the ongoing battle for common sense gun control laws that are somehow controversial now. Here is a layout of representative stances on legislation as well as other pertinent information. And here are links for contact information for elected officials?

* Continued support for the provisions of the unfolding Affordable Care Act would also be a good thing.


Perhaps one day people will only have to worry about surviving and healing, and not losing everything the worked for when they're most vulnerable.

Thank You . . .

Please join me in reaching out to others in need in this holiday season.



There are charities which directly benefit Victims of domestic violence and charities which directly benefit Needy classrooms. InforUm Promotes a Nationwide Dialogue About Housing, Poverty, and Homelessness. Register to volunteer in disaster recovery at Helpindisaster.org. There is also Habitat For Humanity, and VolunteerMatch which can help you get started. 




These are just a few of the many opportunities available. Other possibilities can be found under my 'Reach Out' tab.

A Very Worthwhile Cause . . .

TalyaWren: a Zine Project

I just found this site today. 

Please help if you are able. There are many ways, and it is so needed.

~ HOW TO GIVE - AND RECEIVE ~

An estimated 100,000 U.S. children are commercially exploited sexually each year. The average age for children (female and male) entering into prostitution and pornography is 12-14, plenty are younger. Sex trafficking is no respecter of home-life, geographic location, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

Door To Grace is a Portland, Oregon-based movement whose mission is to “restore life to rescued children.” Please visit their site —DoorToGrace.org— for further literature on what compels them and how they are responding to the needs of child survivors, like providing a holistic approach to their care.


If you do not have the funds to give, please find other means to contribute to create positive change, both in the lives of these children and your community. If you do have a dinner out or a movie ticket to spare, or however much more, please consider donating to Door To Grace, and please consider giving generously. 100% of the money donated will go to Door To Grace.