This week I wrote a story about the new process Hope Community Center is taking to prevent chaos during its annual toy giveaway in December. I am amazed at the comments people left about those who stood in line.
Several years ago I wrote a story about one of the women I saw at the center. She fell on hard times and lost the home where she and her five children lived. Although she is doing better since finding a new place she still struggles to survive. She came to the center for help because she is disabled and lives on a fixed income.
There were other people at the event I recognized and yes several of them I know work. Not everyone who receives help is “freeloading” as some said, but rather they need a boost to give their children something during the holidays. Many who apply are the “working poor.” They make enough to pay their bills and that’s it.
If you have never been part of the “working poor” that’s great, but I bet you know someone who is and you don’t even know it. think the most audacious comment had to be one in which a reader basically commented to applicants if their hair was done or they were wearing nice clothing that they should stay home.
Unless you were there how do you know how they looked? Never assume anything. And just because someone is dressed nice doesn’t mean they have money — it means they have respect for themselves. You do not have to wear designer clothes to look good. I know plenty of women who look great and they shop at discount and thrift stores. As the old saying goes you “Should never jusge a book by its cover.”
It’s hard to believe that people continue to stereotype others by what they wear or how they look. Should all people who apply for assistance of any kind look like they live in a gutter? For the naysayers maybe you should consider why you feel the way you do about what is offered to those in need during the holidays. If the programs are not tax based and everything is donated does it matter who gets what?
The giveaway is for the children and although being with family is important during the holidays, it’s hard to tell a 5-year-old that he will not be getting any gifts because mommy and daddy cannot afford it. If we lived in a world without advertising or one in which children didn’t talk about what they want from Santa then maybe it wouldn’t matter. Let’s be real though we don’t live in that world.
