Unfortunately, things look like they are going to get worse before they get a lot better. As unemployment continues to rise, local food banks are being overwhelmed with the need for food. 

And it’s not just food banks. The monthly soup kitchen at the St. Marys/St. James food pantry in Charlestown had to be moved to the Carolina Fire station recently to accommodate the increase in numbers. Area shelters are turning the homeless away and as a result people are sleeping in cars at night. 

A story about one local couple who frequents the food pantry in Charlestown revealed they  alternate who eats dinner each night, so one of them has enough to eat that day. When they received a loaf of bread, they were so happy they could have toast for dinner. 

Surprisingly, in these difficult economic times, though church endowments are way off, the amount parishioners are giving has not diminished and remains steady. 

We all need to follow that example in this season of Thanksgiving. If you have the means, dig a little deeper, and forgo some of the extras in life and donate that money to a local food pantry or shelter.

If you make a habit of stopping for coffee and a bagel, just think how that $5 could add up and make a difference in the lives of the poor. 

The food banks and shelters are seeing something they haven’t seen in a long time. The economic crisis has filtered down to the middle class – and these people are now requesting food, heating assistance, even lodging. 

The other thing to be mindful of in this season of Thanksgiving is to be grateful for what you have. A warm bed, a sturdy roof, plenty of food, and a loving family are truly blessings that often get overlooked.

Be thankful for what you have and dig a little deeper into your pockets to help someone less fortunate. Because the need is greater than ever before.