Last spring, I found myself grappling with a First World problem. I had food in my fridge and means to refill it, but the calendar told me that it was almost summer, and I could not grill outside.

I thought being able to fire up the gas grill on the redwood-stained deck attached to my second floor condo as one of the main perks of ownership.

But I had no propane. My tank was empty, and I lacked the upper body strength to carry a full tank upstairs.

I didn’t want to hire someone from TaskRabbit or some such service and pay an hour-minimum rate for something that could be done in ten minutes.

Fortunately, a young father from the neighborhood, who I see walking his Golden Labradoodle   on occasion, helped me out. I talked the crew at the local Home Depot into giving me the refill rate for a new cannister of propane and brought in the empty back, as promised, the next day.

Ah. My tank was full. I sent a quick thank you text to my neighbor.

I realize it’s not uncommon to receive solicitations from charities around the holidays. It’s certainly a time to give thanks for things I can enjoy. It’s also a good time to assess what I can GIVE.

To me, having a full tank means feeling grounded in my ability to meet my needs and wants myself and then … give away some of what I love. Choosing what causes I want to support yields such a different feeling than just responding to the “ask” of the day.

Each month, I donate a modest sum to The World Food Program https://www.wfpusa.org/ and the American Civil Liberties Union,  https://www.aclu.org/  I feel strongly that living in the moderns world requires a global perspective.

Starvation and climate change are everyone’s problems. I value my personal freedoms so I want to support organizations dedicated to individual rights.

This November, I’m also very conscious of how the government shutdown and cutbacks on important social programs like SNAP and Meals on Wheels  (https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ has affected the lives of so many.

This year, the “giving” part of THANKSGIVING has taken center stage.

I never would have imagined government employees would constitute a group that needs basic food resources. From TSA workers to highly credentialed professionals, the need for food assistance goes beyond donning an apron helping prepare a holiday meal.

There are programs for helping furloughed federal workers get grocery cards, but thinking local seems to be the key. Who knows how long the government shutdown will continue.  The extreme reduction in our social safety net seems to be here for a long time.  Giving to help children or seniors or simply neighbors get the nutrition they need might become a year round concern.

Feeding America, which helps people find local food banks, is a great organization. https://www.feedingamerica.org/. Churches and synagogues and community centers would welcome your support.

Knowing that giving what you can give to ease food shortages and support causes that are important to you is how to maintain your own “full tank.”

Keeping GIVING top of mind is no small thing.

Re-printed with permission.

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