Making a difference-- Childreach

[OneAccord]

LadyC:

I remember there used to be a charity in Vegas years ago called "Gleaners". This lady went around to al the grocery stores in town and and asked them to donate the foods they were throwing in the dumpsters to feed to the poor. This lady ended up having to rent a warehouse and use semi-trucks to pick up all the 'waste' that went every day into the dumpsters. It was absolutely mind-blowing to see what is being thrown away every day in our country rather than distributed to the needy. If a can had a torn label, or if there was one broken egg in a dozen, the produce wasn't perfect.........She literally set up the warhouse like a grocery store and the people who came went 'shopping' and took all they needed and she fed a lot of people this way.

[Guest LadyC]

OA... apparently Gleaners is no longer allowed to operate in Vegas. Permanent Injunction Against Gleaners Due To Fraud

Catholic Charities is the largest charitable organization in Vegas at this time.

Post 9/11, EVERY charity in vegas was empty. 400,000+ people lost their jobs during that period of time, and thousands of others had a dramatic decrease in hours. tourism was down, conventions came to almost a standstill, and those are the industries this city survives on...and 400,000 is almost 1/3 of our city's population! the demand for shelter, food and clothing for about six months was so high, that all the city's charities combined could not keep up. it was horrible. competition for jobs flipping burgers was at an all time high! the problem is not so bad anymore, obviously.

but even without a major tragedy like 9/11 to create job-loss, there are millions of single moms throughout our country who barely scrape by to take care of their kids. i know, i was one for ten years. i just never will understand why some child in a third world country is more worthwhile of the generosity of others than a child of a single mom and a deadbeat dad.

[Guest Joel]

Ngungu'taota catsmeow, and friends, Tutskwa I'qatsi,

Cats-- thank you for reminding us how terrible the conditions are in Third World Countries compared to America, a good reason to help these children.

In answer to my own prayers I was led to Childreach, but each must follow their own minds and hearts in choosing how to help.

It is wonderful that you and others here are already helping children in America and Third World Countries. I think that we would all agree that these children need our help NOW-- that is the reason I began this thread here and elsewhere-- to allow people to recognize the need, and to reach out to help them, especially during this Christmas season.

I hope that everyone reading here will open their hearts, and reach out to help the children of the world whose prayers, this very moment, are pleading for help. While we are debating, the children are starving and dying.

May peace be with you,

Joel

[OneAccord]

OA... apparently Gleaners is no longer allowed to operate in Vegas. Permanent Injunction Against Gleaners Due To Fraud

This is a shame to hear, that they derailed their original mission, now all that food goes back to the dumpsters I guess.

[artsylady]

Hi. Just real quick here. Don't have much time today. When I asked if they are on drugs, I meant the kids themselves. I wasn't sure how old they were.

I am a foster parent and can understand how kids might be wary of foster homes. Most I know of are really good and the government keeps a really good eye on them, in my country anyway.

I think things are actually better here as far as social programs go. There are SO many in my country - Canada. The poor have really got every need looked after, which is the way it should be. I just get sick of seeing all the abuse of the system.

[artsylady]

i guess i also have very strong opinions on this subject. i feel like we SHOULD be responsible to help out the locals so that they can AVOID the shelters and food banks and welfare system. some people do abuse it. others do not.

I actually don't feel we shouldn't help at all. I just think that there is no comparison to what happens in a third world country. In Mexico at 11 PM, I saw three year old selling chiclets. In our countries, children's aid would step in and stop it. What if a family was poor and sent their kids out to be prostitutes at age 10. Who would stop it in a third world country. that's part of life there.

[traveller]

Amen River, Meals on Wheels IS an excellent organization.

To all - Why argue over feeding this nation's hungry versus another? Instead, shouldn't we give and feed and cloth as led by the Holy Spirit? Be directed by HIM. Cats is led by the Holy Spirit to give to children in Africa, whereas He may lead someone else to feed the poor in Chicago. I say Praise God(!) to both! Never do I say anything against someone that is feeding people no matter where the people are. Never. This is between ourselves and God. His ways are high above ours and He directs our hearts. Thankfully He made us all different with different callings. Missionaries go to all parts of the world, not just one area. Likewise, people are suffering and hungry all over the world. If we could but see a glimpse of the suffering in the world we would be overwhelmed with the needs. I thank our Father that He has everything in control and directs our steps and, if we are obediant to His leading, some of that suffering will be eased. However, because of the enemy in this world, it will never be eradicated until our glorious Jesus returns.

To all who are giving and helping the poor in America - I salute you and say Praise God for you!

To all who are giving and helping the poor in third world countries - I salute you and say Praise God for you!

[artsylady]

To all who are giving and helping the poor in America - I salute you and say Praise God for you! 

To all who are giving and helping the poor in third world countries - I salute you and say Praise God for you!

I totally agree. I think the whole thing started when someone said something like "feed kids in your own backyard first".

[artsylady]

I am a foster parent and can understand how kids might be wary of foster homes.

lol. that didn't come out very well did it???

That's what happens when you're in a hurry.

[Guest LadyC]

traveller, thank you... there's nothing like a well worded, thoughtful comment to remind us we should be humble!

ouch, though... sometimes being humble HURTS!