Helping the Slightly Less Fortunate

[awke]

Looking at the US, when it comes out to helping people that are financially in need, there seems to be a big a focus on soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. Typically, it seems to be geared towards individuals that wind up homeless or in dire circumstances (due to various factors, such as bad luck, abusive family, mental illness, drug addictions, etc.)

But there is another, far broader, group that seems to always go overlooked: people who aren’t homeless and completely at the mercy of others, but are running into some tough financial times.

I’m sure we all know people, or have ourselves been in the circumstance, where money is just so tight that it has made things very challenging. Sometimes it’s the stress of having too much debt. Other times it’s just the little things that can drive somebody crazy. There are probably some people here that are having money problems right now.

So my question is… how can one go about finding individuals like this in need, and how can one help?

I’d like to be able to help out in some way even if it’s small, such as offering to watch the kids so a couple get away for an evening, helping move, helping with home improvements, giving a couple bucks to make somebody’s Christmas more enjoyable, etc. I just often am not sure how to go about doing it in practice. Usually these individuals aren’t actually asking for help, and may find it difficult to accept help if somebody offers it to them. And other than close friends and family members, I don’t typically talk about finances with other people, so I don’t actually know who I know that could use some help.

 

[MtnDwellar]

So my question is… how can one go about finding individuals like this in need, and how can one help?

Pray for what you need.
Dear Lord, if there is one who needs help and I am able to help, please bring him to me.

 

[LouiseHine]

Looking at the US, when it comes out to helping people that are financially in need, there seems to be a big a focus on soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. Typically, it seems to be geared towards individuals that wind up homeless or in dire circumstances (due to various factors, such as bad luck, abusive family, mental illness, drug addictions, etc.)

But there is another, far broader, group that seems to always go overlooked: people who aren’t homeless and completely at the mercy of others, but are running into some tough financial times.

I’m sure we all know people, or have ourselves been in the circumstance, where money is just so tight that it has made things very challenging. Sometimes it’s the stress of having too much debt. Other times it’s just the little things that can drive somebody crazy. There are probably some people here that are having money problems right now.

So my question is… how can one go about finding individuals like this in need, and how can one help?

I’d like to be able to help out in some way even if it’s small, such as offering to watch the kids so a couple get away for an evening, helping move, helping with home improvements, giving a couple bucks to make somebody’s Christmas more enjoyable, etc. I just often am not sure how to go about doing it in practice. Usually these individuals aren’t actually asking for help, and may find it difficult to accept help if somebody offers it to them. And other than close friends and family members, I don’t typically talk about finances with other people, so I don’t actually know who I know that could use some help.

I’d look for those who never go out, because they can’t afford to, but will tell you they have other plans. I’d look for those who never have new clothes, or shoes, and who don’t invite anyone over to their house because they know the food/drink they have in their house is rationed from payday to payday. I’d look for those people who look stressed and tired, because they are constantly worrying how to pay bills. These are the people who need help. As someone in the boat you’re describing, this is what you’d need to look for.

 

[Sunbreak]

Why not ask your parish priest. Sometimes people will approach the pastor for help with various things. These things are not announced to the congregation but the pastor knows and can arrange things.

 

[Sheeniac]

One of the few secular charities I support is modestneeds.org. It was written up in Forbes a couple of years ago. I think it’s magnificent.

 

[DarkLight]

One thing I remember - I was at a church social function and happened to mention that I was out of work. The woman I was talking to immediately mentioned, well if you need help there’s a soup kitchen a few blocks down, and there’s a place nearby that’ll help you find clothes. Just mentioned it like of course that’s what you say.

I think that really made a difference for me. I ended up not needing any of the help, but it was the woman’s attitude that did it. I think that’s really important - it was just the natural thing to offer resources to someone who might need them, without it being a dirty secret or something to be ashamed of.