Spirit of Thankfulness & Giving

With Thanksgiving approaching tomorrow, many of us are looking forward to being out of school or work, eating a hearty dinner, and preparing for Christmas. Meanwhile, agencies such as the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) and the National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homeless (NSCHH) are working together to draw attention to the invisible experiences of hunger and homelessness during this time. Every year, NCH and NSCHH set aside the week before Thanksgiving, which is this week to sponsor the National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week in an effort to urge colleges, schools, community group, and faith-based groups across the nation to bring awareness to the issues that impact millions.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving has been a time to reflect upon and be thankful for the blessing and mercies that were bestowed upon us throughout the year. Unfortunately, 46.5 million Americans are living below the poverty line, many of which are experiencing homelessness, displacement, and food insecurity. According to a study from Children’s Medical Center, 196,252 children live in poverty and 172,610 children live in food-insecure homes in Dallas County. In general, reporting on these daunting figures is difficult, but it becomes increasingly tough during the Holiday season. But, now, more than ever does issues concerning poverty, homelessness, hunger, and other disenfranchisements need to be on the forefront of our minds and hearts. 

Home & HOPE for the Holidays

Plagued with a “what do I have to be thankful for” mentality, one can only imagine the level of anxiety that low-income families and individuals, both children and adults, experience during this time. 

This is Why We Do What We Do. Giving families a home and a “joyful expectation of the future,” as one pastor defines hope, is necessary during  a pressure filled time when many families are choosing between heat and light, food and a home, or even loneliness and lack of resources.  This Thanksgiving Holiday, 40 of our families  (consisting of graduate and current families) will receive turkeys and other food favorites – thanks to a local church. 

As an agency, we are thankful for the hundreds of volunteers and monetary and in-kind gifts from our funders, supporters, and ambassadors. We are also thankful for agencies such as NCH and NSCHH for bringing the issues of hunger and homelessness to light.

(Read More: http://blog.childrens.com/beyond-abc-assessing-childrens-health-in-dallas-county-2013/  )

(Read More: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/overview/ )

Stephanie McNeil, Outcomes and Research Manager, has over five years experience of working with children with special needs. Prior to Interfaith, Stephanie has provided outreach support and needs assessments for diverse populations. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Houston and a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas. Stephanie can be reached at smcneil@ihcdallas.org or (469) 828-1823.