Many people in the world are poor and and yet they get along. But when you can
barely eat every day, any sudden emergency such as illness or getting thrown out of
your home because you can't pay the rent can be catastrophic. In many cases a small
amount of money can literally be the difference between life and death. We have always tried to be there for those who come to us in these sorts of desperate situations.
It is a matter of great pride for us to know that there are people today who are
alive because we helped them when they needed it. Sick children, pregnant women,
men who need to pay a small fine to keep out of jail- when you have your back to
the wall a little help is a gift and a blessing. This we have always tried to do,
and will continue to try to do.
Everyone needs to eat every day. When a mother comes to us with
a sick child we help, but what do we do when the mother comes to us with a child
who has not eaten in days because she has no money to buy food for him? What
purpose does it serve to save someone from a sudden disaster if we then sit back
and let them slowly starve to death? The end result is the same, and in many ways
it is worse to save someone from a quick death only to then let them die slowly
because they have no food.
The greater amount of our donations come in privately in the first half of the
month. During that time we are able to do the most to help those who come to us in
need. But the last two weeks of every month, and especially the last week, are very
difficult times when we struggle simply to keep everyone fed. During that time we
simply are not able to help those who come to us with emergencies.
In most cases the updates we post here are about specific people with specific
problems. (We also try to post uplifting news about accomplishments and
celebrations, but inevitably the nature of the work we do means that there will be
plenty of problems as well.) But we also ask that you keep in mind the other part
of our work, which is simply to make sure that people have food and shelter for
themselves and their children every day. These kinds of needs are not as dramatic
as a baby in the hospital or a woman giving birth but they are no less important.
As I post this we have about ten days to go in the month and there are children who
are going hungry. This is what John's GoFundMe is meant to help.
Even the smallest donation would be appreciated during this hard and hungry time.