Not only is caring for the poor something we all should do, it's something we all can do. Even those with no money to spend can share their time. If we all help, the problem can be solved - and much more efficiently than if we leave it all to some faceless government agency. Food and education for poor children is a worthy cause we all can get behind.
Some truly believe that the government should take care of these needs. However, anyone seeing how much money goes into administration and how little real good is achieved for massive expenditure will realize there is a better way. Policies like 'no child left behind' or 'the war on poverty' have cost billions and improved things little if at all.
In contrast, many efforts by churches, civic organizations, businesses, and even public schools do make a difference. These are direct programs, often run by volunteers who require no salary, benefits, or oversight. Donors of goods and services know that what they give gets to the recipients, rather than being wasted on administrative costs.
For example, a church can partner with a local elementary school. The congregation brings in school supplies, or a family can agree to buy a backpack and fill it with everything a child will need to start a new grade. If caring people deliver these things to the school and meet both children and teachers, a relationship can be formed that may really change things.
Local businesses participate, too. There is often a box into which customers can toss packs of pens or pencils, notebooks, boxes of crayons, rulers, and other things children will need to do their schoolwork. Customers seem to participate readily, picking up a few extra items while doing their own 'back to school' shopping and putting them in the box.
Some churches form relationships with a particular school and even make sure that kids have food over the summer vacation. They collect boxes of cereal and jars of peanut butter and distribute them to registered families at the beginning of every month. The participants get to know each other, and both caregivers and recipients benefit. This is a great program, because no one has to give a lot but added together the gifts add up to more than enough.
As for education, there are almost as many opportunities to help. Run for your local school board and support cutting waste and promoting proven ways to improve schools. Volunteer to tutor a child whose parents can't afford to hire one. Speak to classes on why people need a good education or how to choose a career. Successful business professionals often teach at community colleges. Summer internships can introduce high school juniors and sophomores to the fields of law, business, finance, or civil service.
You can research volunteer opportunities online, participate at church or at work, and help out with local food drives. You can help a poor family connect with services they need. You might want to sponsor a music or art program after school, or help a civic organization buy eyeglasses for a student. There are really as many opportunities to help as there are needs.
Some truly believe that the government should take care of these needs. However, anyone seeing how much money goes into administration and how little real good is achieved for massive expenditure will realize there is a better way. Policies like 'no child left behind' or 'the war on poverty' have cost billions and improved things little if at all.
In contrast, many efforts by churches, civic organizations, businesses, and even public schools do make a difference. These are direct programs, often run by volunteers who require no salary, benefits, or oversight. Donors of goods and services know that what they give gets to the recipients, rather than being wasted on administrative costs.
For example, a church can partner with a local elementary school. The congregation brings in school supplies, or a family can agree to buy a backpack and fill it with everything a child will need to start a new grade. If caring people deliver these things to the school and meet both children and teachers, a relationship can be formed that may really change things.
Local businesses participate, too. There is often a box into which customers can toss packs of pens or pencils, notebooks, boxes of crayons, rulers, and other things children will need to do their schoolwork. Customers seem to participate readily, picking up a few extra items while doing their own 'back to school' shopping and putting them in the box.
Some churches form relationships with a particular school and even make sure that kids have food over the summer vacation. They collect boxes of cereal and jars of peanut butter and distribute them to registered families at the beginning of every month. The participants get to know each other, and both caregivers and recipients benefit. This is a great program, because no one has to give a lot but added together the gifts add up to more than enough.
As for education, there are almost as many opportunities to help. Run for your local school board and support cutting waste and promoting proven ways to improve schools. Volunteer to tutor a child whose parents can't afford to hire one. Speak to classes on why people need a good education or how to choose a career. Successful business professionals often teach at community colleges. Summer internships can introduce high school juniors and sophomores to the fields of law, business, finance, or civil service.
You can research volunteer opportunities online, participate at church or at work, and help out with local food drives. You can help a poor family connect with services they need. You might want to sponsor a music or art program after school, or help a civic organization buy eyeglasses for a student. There are really as many opportunities to help as there are needs.
About the Author:
Learn how to support food and education for poor children by visiting our web pages now. For detailed information on our mission or to get involved, click the links at http://www.mumzyschildrenrelieffoundation.org today.