Have you ever been on the receiving end of getting stuff from Christmas charities?

Question

I've had some financial difficulties this year and last night members from my ward dropped by totally unexpectedly with three boxes of food they had received from our local food bank. They were out delivering boxes to those in need. While I could have made it on (primarily) peanut butter and popcorn (plus some left overs after Christmas) until the first of the month when I get my next paycheck, it was very much appreciated. While the church knows of my financial difficulties, they had no way of knowing that my cupboards were as close to bare as they were. I told the guys that dropped off the welcomed packages thank you, but that just didn't seem to be enough.
Have you ever been on the receiving end like I am this year, or have you ever been one to go knocking on someone's door and give them food bank stuff? I'm so incrediably grateful, and I know God's hand is in this. He does know us, and our needs - expressed and unexpressed.

Carpediemmaster: No need to feel ashamed. That's not the intent that it was given. Just be thankful. I know I am.

Lean on Me: Yes, I'm LDS. And yes, you're right.

Cookie :) Thanks for the gummy. :)
Yes, I know that the givers receive as much as those who receive.


Thanks to all who have answered, and please know that all who have received something you have given have been truely thankful for your time, and gifts.

I have given, and now I am receiving.

I appreciate your encouragment. I will be more diligent in my service efforts.
Merry Christmas to all :)

Answer 1

Tonya, I have been on the receiving end many times. A few years ago I inadvertently made the statement in front of ward member that I didn't have any money to spend on Christmas. What a surprise reaction. We were overwhelmed by the response.

I also had this experience many times in my youth.

The process has made me reconsider my thoughts about being on the receiving end. Often, we don't want others to spend the time/money to help us. We don't want to be a burden to them. But then I realized, if I don't let them help me, I deny them the opportunity to help someone in need. So now, I'll let anyone help me.

One of the blessings of opposition, the opportunity to give.

Answer 2

It wasn't a christmas charity - and today, some 15 years later, I still don't know who the giver was... but I was a young mother. My hubby was in law school. It would be a week before our next paycheck. My cupboard was bare. Not even peanut butter or a cracker. My 2 yo son toddled into the kitchen to ask for breakfast - he was hungry. I broke down in tears as I had nothing to give him. Finally, I stepped out onto the front porch so he wouldn't see my tears. Sitting there was a large grocery bag. Inside I found oatmeal, beans, tomato sauce & chili powder. It was enough to feed our tiny family for the following week until our paycheck came through.
Today, we donate nearly monthly to local foodbanks & increase our efforts at Christmas time. We also help with Koins for Kids, Shop w a Cop, & Toys for Tots.

Best wishes for the holiday season. Remember charity, giving or receiving is simply sharing the pure love of Christ.
Merry Christmas.

Answer 3

I think that is so wonderful that you were truly in need and you were helped. Its also wonderful that you are so appreciative. I've never been on the receiving end of charity donations, wait....yes I have been one time. My church, the day after Christmas, years ago, brought over tons of food. I was shocked, I had no idea they would do that. My husband was unemployed at the time and we had 4 kids. It was pretty neat. I really try to give back now, as much as possible. Even if only a dollar here or there, if thousands do that too, it makes a huge difference.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas!!!!

Answer 4

I actual have a pair of cousins who have been in an analogous concern at approximately that age (11 and 13). Their father had merely been injured and replaced into unable to artwork for a mutually as, and their mom lost her activity via a company lay-off a month until eventually now Christmas. It replaced into contributors of the kin who stepped up and helped purchase Christmas presents for the little ones (and not charity) hence. even although, the little ones have been sufficiently previous that they knew the presents weren't from their mothers and fathers and that they have got been particularly grateful, because of the fact they understood there could in any different case, not have been presents. i replaced right into a baby while this befell, and that i nevertheless recollect it, and so do my cousins. It replaced right into a complicated 12 months for their kin. i does not get overly worried approximately in the adventure that your present is sufficient or not (even although, a present-card is a great theory). If the greater youthful boy you're paying for presents for is actual in an analogous concern he would be grateful and excited that he has a present to open and your efforts would be favored. I nevertheless bear in mind, that what my (female) cousin asked to get carry of for Christmas that 12 months replaced into new shirts and a CD.

Answer 5

Yes I have been on both ends. When I was 6 my parents were trying to support me and my brother and sister. They had no money for Christmas and were very worried. We lived in NY at the time and our county had something called opportunities for Chenango and they came out and left all these presents on our porch Christmas morning. So we got up that morning and there was nothing under the tree. I being 6 was very dissapointed and we all had noticed it snowed outside so we went to look out the door and there all of the presents were. We didn't get much but I was so proud of my diary that I got and I still have it to this day. I never knew that my parents didn't buy that stuff until later in life but I was so thankful that there were people willing to help my parents. So now my parents find a way to give back wether it is donating to the salvation army or toys for tots. They even sponsered a family one year at Christmas time. It is amazing how wonderful people can be.

Answer 6

You mentioned "ward" which makes me think you may belong to the Latter day Saint church. One of the wonderful things this church does is help its' members when hard times fall on them. Yes, I think the leaders are inspired by God to help members in need. The LDS church also is one of the first to offer assistance to countries with disasters and I'm sure does many good things throughout the world and wherever they are needed. I'm glad you will not be going without at Christmas and never, never be afraid to admit it when you need help! Many people are only 1 or 2 paychecks away from being on the street! It can happen to anyone. God bless and Merry Christmas!

Answer 7

No, but my husband has when he was a child and we will forever be paying on that debt of gratitude in honor of his mother and everyone who helped them out. We had a neighbor last year who is very proud and would not accept charity. So we left some goodies, food and gifts on the front porch in the middle of the night without a card so his kids would have Christmas. When we were still eligible for Jaycee membership, we worked every Christmas matching toy donations from the marines toys for tots to letters written by children and delivering them Christmas eve. During the year, I often help out those I know who are in need by dropping by unannounced with a vat of something I cooked for dinner that is simply too much for my husband and I to consume before it "goes bad". I feel it is a way to give back for all of the help that everyone gave to my husband's family because they all contributed toward making him the loving, thoughtful, kind person he is.

Answer 8

I have been on the giving end many Christmases, either through my paid work, or my volunteering.
This year I am very humble, grateful for everything, and am having a very hard time accepting or asking for the love, because I know there are others who need more than I, who have everything I need, spiritually speaking.
For example, I was blessed to help with the Zone Conference/Christmas Luncheon for the missionaries, by being involved in the cleanup. I really just wanted to wash their feet, I am so grateful for their diligence, prayers and love.

Answer 9

Once, when I was much younger my folkes got a divorce and my mom didn't have much money, so the social worker gave us a package from a charity. I remember I got a teddy bear with X-Mas designs on it, It made me so happy and after all these years I still remember that kind woman and that bear. I give back, by donating clothes, toys to charity and I give to homless people. I'm not super ritch so I still can't donate on a regular basis, but I think if you give back something then you feel that you have done some repyment. I'm sure you will help other in need when you get back on your feet. Good luck and know that God is shining down on you. Merry X-Mas.

Answer 10

Yes, we have been on the receiving end at least a dozen times or more, mainly due to some crooked lawyers and bankers that tied up all our finances for 15 plus years. I guess people have to be on both ends to understand what service is and what being served is. Part of why we're here on earth is to learn how to re-direct resources to where they're really needed. It's all just practice for something bigger. Have a happy day, and I send you a gummy bear.