My tired and clichéd, though I feel accurate, opinion that most people are good people, despite the best efforts of the worst people to suggest otherwise, has held up again this week with the news that the people behind Operation Christmas Hamper are already doing a fundraiser for this year’s effort. With just the 314 days to The Big Day, you might think this somewhat premature, but I suppose you have to start somewhere. I hope they meet their target with something to spare. But in the here and now, food poverty still plagues our country and today we gathered, once again, to do our bit.
As is the post Christmas tradition, food donations are down at food banks all over the country and we in Melchester are no different. And because of this, we’re giving out smaller packages than in the past to ensure, as I have reported before, that everyone who currently has nothing at least has something. How much longer this will go on, who knows, but as food bank use continues to grow across the land you just have to hope donations pick up again.
Once again, because the final batch of government cost of living payments have gone out, it would be a quiet day today, which was why we didn’t stop. I looked at my watch during a rare breather, expecting to see 2.40 pm, or something like that, and found to my surprise it was nearly 3.00 pm. Perhaps it was because we were quite a few volunteers short was a factor. If we were paid for our efforts, we’d have definitely earned our wages today.
As we are based in a church, callers sometimes assume we volunteers are religious. One caller asked me today if I was a regular church-goer, to which I almost replied, “Are you fucking kidding?” Indeed, it would in this instance entirely appropriate to reply in those sweary tones because our caller was swearing like a trooper as he explained he preferred the evangelical churches and was a member of one. I gave him my usual “I don’t do God” routine and it worked, as he instead moved on to another volunteer who does. Nothing personal, but I do find that if you want to talk about your faith, it’s never a bad idea to find someone else of faith who wants to talk about it.
Now, I want to return briefly to the plans for next Christmas. It is heartening that people are putting their hands in their pockets to make life better for literally hundreds of people whose festive celebrations would otherwise have been miserable affairs. In just over 10 months, the hard work being carried out now will come to fruition, but between now and then, what are we doing?
My initial reaction – mild anger: why don’t they raise money for poor people now, not for bloody Christmas? – has long subsided and been replaced by the conviction that actually we can do both of these things. People can plan to help folk next Christmas in the here and now and they can also support folk now who don’t have anything to eat right now. Criticism of people wanting to help others helps and benefits no one. I think we’re all good people, doing good things. It’s not a competition.
Happy Christmas in advance, but let’s not forget poverty isn’t just for Christmas.
