Economic times are tough for just about everyone I know, whether they are financially secure ( who can be that that nowadays?) or whether they are folks who have live paycheck to paycheck. We have friends who thought they were okay ( docs & lawyers, etc., who are now sweating it)
How do we all take care of our families as well as helping out our neighbors?
Or is this a moot point?
Are we going to become a nation of people just trying to survive?
MZ

People did seem to help one another out a lot more back years ago. I think people worry more about themselves and to each his own now. It would be nice to see it all change for the better. I am trying to change little things around my house. I am finding good homes for things in my house instead of selling items. I gave away my daughter's crib and it went to a good home. It all starts somewhere!

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NSDQ-Nightstalkers Don't Quit!

I'm doing this, too. Instead of saving stuff for a yard sale, I've decided that this is a way I can help others: giving my stuff away instead of trying to sell it for a few bucks.

I usually do pretty well selling my stockpile at yard sales, but this year I'm going to give it all to a women's shelter.

I agree with giving what you have at home and no longer want. I gave a way some things to a co worker of mine. They don't have much. It made me feel good just to see how happy ther were. That was better than all of the money I could have made at a yard sale! I still am not totally over how much money was wasted during hurricane Katrina so I still am particular at what thrift stores I donate too. For Goodwill to have the majority of stuff donated to them, I think they are a little to steep in price and they need to downsize the adminstration part of the company. I wonder if there are too many deep pockets.

I just donate unused stuff to the local thrift shop. I never donate money because I don't know whose pocket it's going into.

I hope this recession teaches people to save for that rainy day and stop spending like there's no tomorrow! Tomorrow may seem like a world away but it somehow always comes! You know like, when you know that a lay off may be in the near future...don't go buy that big screen TV for $1000!...HA!

Invite them to dinner once a week and include them in fun activities that don't cost anything.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Pray for them

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Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

Just last week our Pastor presented the same thing to us - What can the Church do to help its neighbors thru these tough times? Its a work in progress for me but one of my suggestion is a "Feed your neighbor night". Good food and fun games for all people.

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Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

our pastor and ss teacher both had spoke on this very thing yesterday.

i like to freecycle.

My husband serves on the board (does the books) of a social service agency and we give to our Church's counselling program for the poor. We personally plan to continue and (hopefully expand) giving in this way.

We live in a small town where many of our neighbors own local businesses. We shopped at local shops almost exclusively during Christmas. Normally, I would have shopped at lower cost options (local bike shop vs. target, etc.).

I am also considering my tax funds going to bail out troubled homeowners as part of my obligation to my community....

We give to those who are trying to help themselves. We give all of DD's outgrown clothes to a child down the street and then her mother gives them to the grandchild of the people across the street. Much more satisfaction in that selling it. My DH clears the snow with the snow blower for 10 hours up and 10 houses down from our house roughly. He loves to do it and it's helpful to the retired folks. I donate beverages and food to our local shelter when it opens on day's it's under 30 degrees. I try to help families that I know need help. I do not like to give money blindly. I have been burned doing that previously at Christmas time. I have been known to tip $10 on a cup of coffee because I know that people are tipping a lot less than normal lately.Lots of talk about it in our paper. Lots of people who refuse to tip and if you don't like it, find another job. We live in what is considered a "retirement" community. Don't know if that has anything to do with it or not but the college town *next door* doesn't seem to per people I know who work there versus here. I try to buy local when I can. I don't shop WM. When we eat out, we do so at mom & pop's, not chains, when we can. We support our local dairy by having fresh dairy milk delivered once a week as well.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

On occasion I'll pay for the guy behind me in a drive thru line. I know that they may or may not need it, but it's kind of a pay it forward thing. I've also had someone pay for my order and when you get to the window and hear that they had.. it's a big pick me up. I also freecycle.