Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008

Anytime is best time to help charities

WHILE MANY PEOPLE wait until closer to Thanksgiving or even Christmas to donate to charities that help feed or provide other services for the less fortunate, the need exists year-round.

So it’s always refreshing when individuals and companies selflessly pitch in to help at the moment of need. That’s what Mungo Homes did a few weeks back when it learned Harvest Hope Food Bank was falling short of its goal during a campaign to raise money to feed the growing number of people in our community struggling to provide for themselves and their families. Mungo Homes pledged to match up to $100,000 in contributions to Harvest Hope. The builder had planned a contribution to the food bank during the holiday season, but decided to act sooner because the need is so great.

The demand for help has climbed in our community as a result of the economic downturn. And as more people lose jobs and the economy falters, more will look to the food bank and other charities to help feed their families as well as provide other services.

Even in better times, many South Carolinians struggle to feed their children. South Carolina has the second-highest percentage of residents struggling to get food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture report on household food security. In a poor state such as South Carolina, many of those who work still find it difficult to make ends meet. Nearly 6 percent of South Carolina households frequently cut back on or skip meals, including meals for children.

Not only does Harvest Hope need this community’s help, but so do many other nonprofits that reach out to the needy in our community. Those organizations, whether the Oliver Gospel Mission or the Salvation Army or the Red Cross, work tirelessly year-round to make life a little better for the least of these.

So, as the holidays approach, take notice of the selfless actions of Mungo Homes and the many others who responded to Harvest Hope’s need. Don’t wait until the holidays to do a good deed. People go hungry, homeless and without other basic necessities and services every day of the year.

With the needs being so great and immediate during these troubled times, it’s critical for those of us who can help our neighbors to do so.

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