It's easy for me to sit here and send out appeals for charities, organizations and good causes.
It really doesn't require me to do anything but ask you people to help.
But after I wrote last week about the Belleville Salvation Army needing food for its give-aways, Erin Hempen of Trenton went me one better. She organized a food drive as part of an open house she was having at her home.
"I read an article in the Belleville News-Democrat that talked about a particular food panty that is in need. I was inspired," she wrote to friends, neighbors and relatives.
She threw a Big Give party and asked that people bring nonperishable food with the focus on dry food and not canned goods. She said she hoped to inspire everyone, a la Oprah Winfrey.
In fact, her event was Sunday night so people could come by, have drinks and snacks and even watch "Oprah's Big Give" on television with her.
For those who didn't want to come all the way to Trenton, she parked her car at the new Starbucks near Greenmount Crossing for an hour Sunday afternoon.
The results were great. Her friends in the Mothers and More Metro East Chapter and other friends and family were generous.
"When everyone gives a little, it adds up," she said. "It's amazing what a small group of people can do. I want people to see that it really takes very little effort to inspire people to give."
Her effort, which spurred the efforts of others, paid off.
"We took in almost 80 sacks of groceries, 200 boxes of macaroni and cheese," she said. "I didn't even count all the boxes of pasta. There were diapers, personal care items and all sorts of things."
Delivering the stuff also was gratifying.
"The people at the Salvation Army were grateful," Hempen said. "It seemed to almost double what they had in their pantry. One of the people told us, 'You wouldn't believe how fast this stuff will go.'"
Sometimes what it takes is for people to know there is a need and some one to ask for assistance.
"A lot of times we just don't know and if we don't know, we can't help," Hempen said.
So, if you don't know, here is a fact. There are a lot of food pantries in the area. I doubt if there is one that wouldn't welcome help.
Wally Spiers' column runs five days a week. Have a column idea? Call Wally at 239-2506 or (800) 642-3878; or e-mail: -
