Be grateful for assistance (12/18/2008)

To the editor:

I have a real problem when I go by homes and yards that are all lit up with Christmas lights and decorations. Not that they are not beautiful, but many of these people are on energy assistance. We donate to everything we can. And also, people who use their food stamps for things they would never think of buying for things that they would never think of buying if they had to pay with cash.

Don't take this wrong. My family was on food stamps before. I was so thankful for them that I had some left at the end of the month. I thought I should be careful and thankful. I didn't waste one stamp.

I thank God every day for his blessings, and people who help with assisting other people are really great and appreciated.

Also, those who go to the food pantry or food banks; if you can get by without going there, don't go. Everytime you go there, it takes food from people who have a real need. I'm always hearing people complain there isn't anything there, so they took this or that. But they want brand name things, instead of being thankful for God's blessings and the people who dig deep to donate all they can.

One day very soon, people may not be so generous. Money is getting tight. Don't waste the electricity you get help with. It will be less help probably in the near future. Just because someone says to you, "you should go to the food bank," well, if you do not need to, don't.

There are lots of people here in Portland that could go to the food bank but they don't because they know there are people out there with families who need it. Or maybe those who don't get enough Social Security or money to make it. Then again, it is important that there is genuine help for genuine needs.

We love to give back to the community that saved us at our hour of need. Don't think it will be there forever. Spend those stamps like someone is watching you - someone is, all the time.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to tell people we love them and we want to help them but they can show their gratitude by being conservative and careful how they use these things.

And thank you to all the people who are grateful and respect their blessing. Thanks to the people, churches and everyone who donates anything to anyone, anytime. God sees that and you will be rewarded.

God bless everyone. Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Richard and Martha Haffner

Portland[[In-content Ad]]