..can, when we can. When we get older, sometimes what we can do changes, and the younger people should take over the original jobs.

We were just talking yesterday about what would happen (just every day, not during a disaster.) if everyone did *something* for their community, then I started doing the math, guessing at how many people might need groceries, etc. vs. how many people are in town and in the surrounding areas.

I feel as though nearly everyone can do something. For example, at Christmas time, when toys are needed, a $1. toy or book from the dollar store is do-able for most people, or a $1. coloring book, and $1 box of crayons.

Then, I figured people to give vs. people in need, and I came up with enough people who could afford some groceries once a year, to divide the groceries over several people per month, to get 1 months worth of needed groceries to those family's in need for 1 year.

I think the key is coordination - someone who understands what's needed for meals, so don't let people just buy things randomly; having a place to stage and coordinate once a month, and try to get wholesale in order to get more food for the dollar. Though, from my experience, it still works at retail, if you have to.

Also, if there was a place to store things, you could buy canned goods, etc. for the entire year ahead, and just open them as needed each month.

You would work with groups that know who has needs, such as the senior center, women's shelters, etc. That's where the people and family's who fall through the cracks of the state system, or are being processed but not yet receiving benefits, end up. At least here. Our senior center even ends up with younger families on their rolls. I'm not sure how or why, but they sometimes do.

Anyway, getting off my soapbox, but my point is, if everyone who could would give a little $-wise, and/or volunteer to do something, even something small now and then, things would be a lot better.

I'm not letting local, state, and federal govts. off the hook for any lapses in their systems, but while they are fooling around, there are human, animal, and even town needs. Deliver something, plant a seedling in the park - when coordinated, of course, not randomly, help feed people, walk dogs at a shelter, etc. etc. Some places accept prep cooks to feed people, or need someone to make phone calls, or deliver groceries...there are so many things. It just feels like a few people do everything.

Okay, I guess that I didn't fully get off of my soapbox, sorry...*now* I'm off of it, lol!