On Sunday, I had the chance to listen to Fr. Robert White, a representative from Food For The Poor, Inc. He spoke at my parish and his message was powerful. While I am saddened to hear about the plight of the ?poorest of the poor?, I am also humbled to know that The Lord entrusts their care to those of us who may have some resources to share. Many of our poor brothers and sisters can?t even provide food for their own children, let alone themselves. All of us who are parents know how painful it is when we can?t help our children with certain issues. Can you imagine the anguish of parents who can?t even provide food for their family?
Food For The Poor, Inc. has been feeding the hungry since 1982. They are one of my favorite charities and a link to their website appears on the
Catholic Truth?s Catholic Web Window site, as well as on this blog (on the right hand side of the page). In 2007, Forbes Magazine awarded them a 97% fundraising efficiency rating. More than 96% of all donations received go directly to programs that help the poor. You can?t get much better than that!
Many of us are appalled at the extravagant wealth and excess that we see flaunted on a daily basis by our ?celebrity culture?. Movie and TV stars, sports figures and company executives selfishly squander millions of dollars on self-indulgent activities and purchases. We think, ?if only they could give some of that to charity.? However, that line of reasoning only leads to frustration because we have no control over their money. We can, however, control our own funds. Even if we have very little, Jesus teaches us the importance of sharing:
When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Lk 21:1-4)
In case you?re thinking that your small contribution can?t make a difference, consider the following statistics:
$21 will provide a meal for 420 children.
$36 will feed three families for a month.
$50 will help provide medical and nutritional aid for severely malnourished children.
$170 will provide a water pump for a village.
Please consider sending a gift to this fine organization. Their website can be accessed here. By sharing some of our wealth with our brothers and sisters we are actually serving Our Lord.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25:35-40)
