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Share Your Thanksgiving the Traditional Way

by Traute Klein, AKA biogardener

Is generosity the result of affluence? I have found it to grow out of an understanding of need, especially by people who have experienced the need first-hand.
Note: This article is featured on Lita Harrington's
Study and Research Skills site for Thanksgiving 2001.

Thanksgiving

We have just celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada, and the United States will celebrate on November 22. Originally, Thanksgiving was a harvest-home celebration, which accounts for it being observed at different times in different climates. I associate Thanksgiving with sharing, and in churches in Canada, this aspect is still alive. The garden produce which decorated my church on this Sunday was given away to a soup kitchen, and yesterday, my family shared in a potluck turkey dinner at another neighborhood church with whom we are associated. At this time, when so many people in this world are hungry, I would like to take a look at what makes people generous.

Who is the most generous?

On September 17, 2000, the news media reported that the poorest states in America have the highest per capita charitable donations. I am not surprised, in fact, I have known it since I was a child. I am alive thanks to the generosity of people who had barely enough food to feed their own children. During the last days of World War II, when none of us owned anything except our lives and the clothes on our backs, it was easy to find someone who would share a piece of bread, a bowl of soup, a cup of water. Thanks to other poor souls like us, our whole family would have died of starvation, and I would not be here to tell you about. None of us had enough food for a whole meal, but all of us would share our last bite with a hungry stranger.

Generosity in Tough Times

In the winter of 1945-46, I remember taking a trip with my father which seemed to take forever. We started out with a ride in a crowded train and followed it by a long walk through the winter snow. My 10-year-old feet had difficulty carrying me on this trek which seemed to last all day. My father knew that I needed some food to restore my energy, but we had nothing on us, nor did we have money. Even if we had money, there was no place to buy food, and every bite of food was rationed in those years. I was severely undernourished from months of deprivation, and without food, I could not go on. So at every farm we passed, we dropped in, and I was given a bite to eat and something to drink. No one turned us away. No one called us beggars. I made it to our destination. Can you imagine what reception a father would receive if he took his child to a strange house to ask for food in the year 2001?

Compassion through Suffering

Why is it that the poor are more compassionate than the rich? Why is it that the people who can least afford it are more willing to share than those who live in luxury? I think I know the answer. The poor know what it feels like to have to do without, to be hungry. Ah yes, the rich are generous. You can read their names on the donor lists at the art gallery, at the museum, at the university. If you were a homeless person and in need of food, would you knock at their doors? Maybe you would be sent to the nearest food bank. After all, we now have welfare to take care of the hungry. We no longer need to feed them ourselves. When you really remember what it is like to be hungry, it is difficult to send anyone away. I see street people occasionally. I do not give them money, because most of it is not going toward food, but I always offer them something to eat. Unfortunately, almost invariably, that is not what is wanted, and my food present is rejected. Nevertheless, I continue to offer to share my groceries, because I do not want to pass the opportunity to feed a hungry mouth.

Related Articles

Share your Thanksgiving the Modern way
In time for the American Thanksgiving on November 22, 2001, Robert Hunter tells us about an innovative program by Canadian churches which provides grain for less privileged countries.
Eat Your Veggies
One of Canada’s best managed marketing company helps to feed the hungry and promotes good health by offering free innovative veggie recipe to all.

Thanksgiving Poll

Thanksgiving evokes different images in people of different ethnic backgrounds. Which of the following images is foremost in you mind says more about where you grew up than what you have been taught. Pick the choice to which you respond with the most enthusiasm.
Pilgrims, turkeys, and family reunions.
The last harvest-home wagon, brightly decorated.
A church decorated with garden produce.
A daily attitude of being thankful.
Humbug! or none of the above.

See results of this poll.