An Early Thanksgiving

         As Lily Stein and I wind around the streets under the El, looking at empty lots and beat-up cars, we finally pull up to the large building known as the Bethlehem Healing Temple on the West Side of Chicago. Here, I lock my car and make sure nothing valuable is in sight. As soon as we walk in the Church, however, a totally different feeling overcomes us: care, love, compassion. For the past four years, a Thanksgiving meal for about 500 homeless people has been held here. We decorated the big dining room in Thanksgiving decor, then made our way downstairs to sort the hundreds of donated clothes and shoes. At the end of the minister's service - guests coming for the meal were all asked to attend -, the volunteers were invited up for a big thank you.  Just google 'homeless and Thanksgiving' to see how people across America are thinking about the less fortunate.  As the Bishop's wife, Sister Hudson always says, "Each year, it has been bigger and better!"This program really shows how easy it is to help other people and how appreciative they are. Earlier in the day, Sister Candy and my mom drove around the West Side, stopping under viaducts, outside of homeless shelters, in the waiting room at Cook County hospital and in the lobby of the public library to invite people on the streets to this free, hot, homemade meal. Many, if not most, of them came! Everyone I talked to and interacted with seemed so happy and grateful to be there even though many suffer from drug and/or alcohol addictions, unemployment and homelessness.
         I can't help but think if we could have used even a fraction of the money that was raised for the most current political campaigns towards hunger and homelessness in this country the difference that could have been made. Tens of millions of dollars were spent- and to what end?! Do we see any change or impact as result of all those dollars spent? Would the same individuals that contributed huge sums of money to the campaigns, contribute similar funds to real humanitarian needs in America - to make their country a better place for all? They were writing big checks while my friends and neighbors chose to donate food to make a Thanksgiving meal for those in need. It is incredible to read the New York Times totals and think how this money could have been used elsewhere -- for the greater good! Was all that money really essential for Barack Obama to win the election or for Mitt Romney to compete? I had a great day on the West Side serving the homeless! It can really make you think.