[Golfinnova]

I'll apologize in advance for the length of my experience today.

As some of you know, I was one of the many who got laid off this May. Fortunately for me, I was able to find and buy a business that takes me all around the city with clients in some of the casinos, vacation clubs, convienience stores, golf courses, and hospitals.

My business is wholesale distribution of snacks. Of course with any type of food whether a restaurant, retail store or distributor one must deal with expireds (product that is unsold at the sell by date). My company is no exception and usually every other month, I personally deliver the expireds to Catholic Charities which is on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Foremaster (past the Cashman Center).

With Thanksgiving coming up Thursday, I made a delivery today after visiting some of my clients downtown and dropped off 12 boxes. There was a line of people down on their luck who were picking up turkey dinners; however, the heartbreaking part was how many homeless people were on Foremaster making the sidewalks their temporary home with nothing more than backpacks full of clothes. I did see a couple walking up to all of them to give them a bottle of water.

The moral of this story is while things are certainly tough right now given the state of the economy, we need to look how fortunate we are to have a place we can call home, food to eat, and a bed to rest. I am certainly thankful for my good fortune and I would ask all of you to consider helping our fellow people during this tough time.

Have a safe Thanksgiving!

[WOHR]

Thank you for your post. I count my blessings that we are good for now. My husband was lucky like you. When he was laid off in Sept. we were a bit freaked. But luckily he found a good job. We've been donating a lot more as I see more and more people in need. If there was ever a holiday season that needed some good cheer this would be the one.

[Las Vegas Mommy]

Our family does not have much either, but we are greatful for things we do have. A place to call home, food, clothes our health. We also donate whenever and whatever we can. I donate all
my childrens clothes, toys and baby eqip/furniture. I even have my own little recycle site for parents to help other parents. Nice thing happen today on my site......I got a posting from a mom
who just wanted to say thank you to the local moms who helped her get a bassinet and some other much needed items. Not bad! Las Vegas is full of lots of compasionate and giving people even when they have their own problems.
I will be counting my many blessings this year and pray for those who have fallen upon harder times.
Thanks for the reminder Golfinnova!

[Daddys///M3]

Originally Posted by Golfinnova

I'll apologize in advance for the length of my experience today.

As some of you know, I was one of the many who got laid off this May. Fortunately for me, I was able to find and buy a business that takes me all around the city with clients in some of the casinos, vacation clubs, convienience stores, golf courses, and hospitals.

My business is wholesale distribution of snacks. Of course with any type of food whether a restaurant, retail store or distributor one must deal with expireds (product that is unsold at the sell by date). My company is no exception and usually every other month, I personally deliver the expireds to Catholic Charities which is on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Foremaster (past the Cashman Center).

With Thanksgiving coming up Thursday, I made a delivery today after visiting some of my clients downtown and dropped off 12 boxes. There was a line of people down on their luck who were picking up turkey dinners; however, the heartbreaking part was how many homeless people were on Foremaster making the sidewalks their temporary home with nothing more than backpacks full of clothes. I did see a couple walking up to all of them to give them a bottle of water.

The moral of this story is while things are certainly tough right now given the state of the economy, we need to look how fortunate we are to have a place we can call home, food to eat, and a bed to rest. I am certainly thankful for my good fortune and I would ask all of you to consider helping our fellow people during this tough time.

Have a safe Thanksgiving!

Absolutely brilliant post! I wish more people could get past their selfishness and realize that their is great personal fulfillment in selflessness. As a follow up to your post and a reminder to all what is really important, I am posting a link to the story of Brenden Foster, and 11 year old diagnosed with leukemia. He was given 2 weeks to live, and his dying wish was to feed the homeless. Brenden passed on last Friday.

Brenden Foster: 'I had a great time' | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | Local & Regional

From the mouths (and minds) of babes. May he RIP, and may we all stay focused on what is truly important this holiday season.

[AA702]

This is the kinds of posts I like to read, and not the negative dooms days unhappy people post. We should all keep in mind that we are fortunate and we should try to help those who are in need. I recently gave a bunch of my old clothes and warm jackets and sweatshirts to a charity that helps people get through the winter. I'm fortunate that my business is doing well and I do not take it for granted. Happy Thanksgiving everyone and do not forget those who are hungry every night.

[BUGBULLY]

What a great post!

[kimba01]

Reps to all of those of you who have posted. (If I can)

I, too, have seen the tent city and homeless over there and it is sad.

Thanks for the reminders to be thankful for what we have and to help those who we can.

[gulfer]

Thank you all for posting. I like to think that I never take things for granted, but know I get caught up in it all from time to time. Thank you for the reminder what truely is important!!!

[RedRockAAAA]

OK...I'll probably get creamed for this post, but read it carefully before you take it the wrong way.

My wife and I were shopping at Smith's Grocery 2 weeks ago. They were having cutomer appreciation day. We ended up winning the grand prize of about $150 in groceries mostly geared to Thanksgiving.

We had just bought a house from a bank eventhough we are living pay check to pay check ourselves. I am disabled and my wife got a job with the county 1 year ago following our move here from NC.

We decided to donate all of the food as we had just been so blessed to find a home we could afford. I have spent 1 week researching food banks, battered women shelters and any other charity I could find. The result was no takers, well sort of. We had to deliver the food between 8 and 6. We only have 1 car and my wife leaves at 7 and gets home at 5:45. I am unable to keep the car and deliver the food due to my back.

I explained all of this to several charities. No one offered to wait 30 to 45 minutes for us to load up and get to their location. But the most puzzling thing to me was the websites. Each of them were set up to accept $$ donations with no instructions for food donations.

So, with two of us, light eaters, we have an 11 pound honey ham and all of the fixins to get through. I wish I could volunteer to provide pickup service for the charities.

Happy Thanksgiving All...Give all you can...Ron

[aqualung8705]

I know what you mean. I had a bugger of a time getting anyone to come out and pick up my mom's clothes after she passed away last month. You think that they'd be falling over themselves, since it ended up being around 50 yard waste bags worth. Points go to Opportunity Village for coming out here to BFE, it was quite a schlep.