Thanksgiving Is About Thanks and Giving

Few weeks ago I watching TVO Kids Help Line. This is a hot line for children to call in and ask for help like how to meet friends or how to find someone to play with or about homework, or lastly 'I am always hungry'. Below is not the actual dialogue that took place because I don't remember word for word, however, this is what the little girl was calling for. All the names mentioned are not real.

TVO Kids Host: 'Who's on the line?'
Girl: 'Amenda', with a very sweet voice.
TVO Kids Host: 'How can we help you today Amanda?'
Girl: 'I am always hungry in school'
TVO Kids Host: 'Always, even during your classes'
Girl: 'Yes'
TVO Kids Host: 'Did you talk to someone about it?'
Girl: 'No'
Helpline Host: 'It is good to tell someone about your problem, a teacher, or your parents. May be you need extra snacks with you to help you get through the school day.'
Girl: 'Okay'
TVO Kids Host: 'Do you eat breakfast Amanda?'
Girl: 'No'
TVO Kids Host: 'It is good to eat breakfast, it is very important meal of the day. It will definitely help you to get through.'
Girl: 'Okay'
TVO Kids Host: 'Amenda talk to you parents may be to give you extra snacks, talk to you teachers, and remember about the breakfast.'
Girl: 'Okay'
TVO Kids Hoast: 'Amenda thank you for calling in.'

When the call ended first thing went through my mind - may be Amanda's family lives in poverty, and they can not afford to feed her very well. She is calling for help but we are not listening. I am not saying that Amanda is living in poverty, but it is a possibility. There are many families in Canada that cannot afford always to have a good meal. As a matter fact the recent statistics I have seen on TV - 60% of families in Canada lives from paycheck to paycheck, and if one of the parents looses job, then just imagine what happens.

The magic word is imagine. I was feeding my 17 month old son this morning, and I imagined that it was my son I wasn't able to provide for. I could never imagine him hungry. I couldn't believe myself - I actually had tears in my eyes. Children do not deserve to live like that, in Canada or any other part of the world.

Well this brings us to Thanksgiving. What is Thanksgiving then? To me Thanksgiving is about thanking and giving. It is giving to those who needs the most. My message is then clear - give and support your local food banks.Let me remind you about the magic word again - imagine. Imagination is a powerful tool, and hopefully will make you do more for those in need.

REFERENCES
Microsoft Office Online Clip Art Image
'Region Involved in Food Collection', THE AURORAN, Week of October 6, 2009, pg 3.