Holidays roll around so quickly, it can make a person’s head swim, and this year, heads are swimming because of our downhill economy. At this writing in mid-October for the November issue, the world is in turmoil and no true solution is in sight.
This year, food banks are going to need more help than ever, and it’s up to us who may have a bit more, to give more. Let’s be good neighbors in our community and do what we can to see every family has food on the table for holiday dinners. Turkeys are going to be more expensive as well as other commodities that make up those looked-forward-to meals. There are organizations large and small, churches, families and individuals, who give every year without fail, so let us all try giving that extra gift of food.
The first Thanksgiving I remember was at age 5 during the Great Depression, the year 1934. My father was studying to become a doctor, but had lost everything in 1929. Businesses failed, banks went down the tube from the run on them, and there were no jobs. My parents had lost everything, but I never heard the word ‘poor.’
Mother came from a wealthy family of grandparents who homesteaded their land and raised hundreds of acres of wheat and cattle. They traveled from the Carolinas over the Oregon Trail, turning up to what is now Moscow, Idaho. Mom ran away as a teen to Seattle, met my father and married. City living during that time was extra tough. Redheaded Helen, with her stubborn Scot’s nature, would never go back to farm life she said. (She was a romantic.)
That Thanksgiving was bleak for not just our family, but also everyone around us. My parents sent me to Sunday school in an old brick, vine-covered neighborhood church down the block. I remember my best dress, worn from many hand washings, scuffed Buster Brown oxfords and long, cotton socks. Bows in my blonde bob-cut hair were made from the hem of my dress when it was new. Somehow there always seemed to be a penny for the Sunday school wooden donation box with a slit in the top. I was proud as could be to put something into it. I was too little to understand what it all meant, but knew it was a big grownup thing to do.
The dear and wonderful women of the church knew how things were with most of the families in the area. I didn’t know then, but knew later, they had gone to every store with what funds they had, and dickered to fill baskets for the unfortunate. A day or so before the holiday, a basket of food and a small turkey appeared on our back porch.
For some reason in my child’s mind, I thought my penny had something to do with it because my Sunday school teacher had said, “give and you will receive.” At least I thought that was what she said. It doesn’t really matter, as it was a great return for a penny given in a child’s innocence and faith.
Our country has been through tough times before and will get on its feet again, but in the meantime give a helping hand to those in need. I wish you all a great Thanksgiving, and God’s peace in your heart. And to my dear friend, Kingston Food Bank director, Vi Weaver, “may your shelves overflow with the love and compassion of our community.”
Note: Kingston’s Redeemer United Methodist Church Sunshine Ladies will have the annual holiday craft bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 15, located at the church, 9900 Shorty Campbell Road. Turn off at Parcell from Highway 104. There will be the Piece of Pie & Coffee corner, Grandma’s Attic table, Secret Auction and even a Santa and picture taking with fun for all. Funds are used for community needs to help others and our church projects.
The Redeemer “Prayers & Squares” ladies will have a beautiful quilt displayed I believe in the auction section. This group makes prayer quilts as a loving mission of the church to give comfort to the ill, ailing, terminal, etc. Each knot tied is a prayer from a member for the receiver, letting them know we care. Our daughter, Sylvia, who passed away in May, found great comfort in hers. What funds are raised through the auction of this quilt will go toward materials to keep this worthwhile project going.
