A Simple Way to Share the Spirit of the Festive Season, and it's not always with a Check !
A french initiative from two folks in South of France has seen hundreds of people donating rucksacks which are filled with all kinds of necessities and kindness to sooth the loneliness of the so called "festive Season" for many homeless or vulnerable locals.
The association called SACKADO, operates without costs , simply inviting donors to fill unwanted rucksacks ( a dire necessity when you are on the roads!) filled with various kinds of goodies. Some are aimed at reminding of the festive season with a more elaborate meal offer packed in, some are basics necessities, toiletries for gents and ladies and even general kids items. Many have vitamins added .
You can also choose to make a Winter Kit bag with gloves, scarves, hats and the like and basic food items I would like to see a Pet Bag, maybe from vets with first aid for the Pets on the road, mostly dogs with wormers, antiseptics chewies or coupon for the local supermarket for extra pet food. Others again have writing paper, stamped envelopes, pens, books, and mags which are so difficult to get from the street
The idea to involve the whole community is very inspiring; grannies and granddads in retirement homes are knitting and preparing gadgets , packing with their children and grandchildren .
What a simply wonderful and cost effective way
which most of us can partake in to help those in needs this season !
which most of us can partake in to help those in needs this season !
In the south of france, Sackado distributes the rucksacks directly to the Homeless, but we also have soup Kitchens from all kind of organizations which can help you direct the bags to those who really need them.
Do not forget to add a personal note, Can be a Christmas card, or a hand written note; involve your children, family, these notes are just as valuable to the receivers as the goodies you carefully pack for them .
A young woman , on receiving the surprise gift burst out in tears recently when she found the friendship note.
No one had written to me for years, she sobbed with tears of joy !
No one had written to me for years, she sobbed with tears of joy !
So please, go and look for your unwanted rucksacks and , during this festive time, fill them up with some real kindness, a way to unite your own family around the needs of others, those whom we think we have never met, although the interconnection of beings is so wide indeed !
Bring them to your local soup Kitchen, local homeless charity, to those whom you know so badly need a hand of frienship this winter. Let your teen ager make teens bags, your seniors prepare senior bags , your heart warm every gift however modest they maybe!
Talk about it with your friends and neighbors, there is not only the festive season , but the long winter ahead, cold, bitterly cold, lonely and hopeless. Do you work in a supermarket of food store? Ask your boss to gift a few items and soon, your efforts will snowball !
Send your stories, your feelings, your successes and ideas, for all to share, I certainly be more than happy to publish them on the blog ( dont forget to join it so you can receive watch people efforts too !)
May we all contribute to benefit others with open hearts and skillful means so suffering and the causes of suffering may indeed wane rather than increase; each little bit helps here !
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