Joined together in gratitude

Nov. 22 through Dec. 1 is Maine Ending Hunger Week. As the director of Bangor’s only evening soup kitchen, I feel it is one of my duties to bring the issues of hunger, homelessness, and poverty from the background to the foreground, while providing opportunities for people to take action to eliminate these problems in our own community.

Manna Inc., the soup kitchen, is currently feeding up to 90 underprivileged adults and children a day. With the increased cuts in General Assistance programs on the state and municipal levels, I expect these numbers to increase dramatically in the near future. The burden is shifting more and more to the community. Individuals, corporations, and organizations have the oppportunity to help on a substantial basis.

Ending hunger also means tackling the problems that keep people hungry. Each time someone learns to read or a family finds a place to live, we are closer to ending hunger. Please join the efforts of your fellow community by supporting your local hunger and shelter organizations.

I believe gratitude is an action word. As the holidays approach and we are joined together with our families in gratitude, we can show that we care for those less fortunate by contributing our time, money, and resources to the helping organizations of our community. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need. Get involved now! William C. Rae President Manner Inc., Bangor