Sunday, September 25, 2011

Getting practical about doing right


For those not in the Huddle, we are current studying Ron Sider's Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger and John R. Schneider's The Good of Affluence. Our second meeting last week saw some  brainstorming about how we are better aid the needy and steward our resources. This post is meant to give us a convenient place to brainstorm further. Post ideas! Even if they occur to you half a year from now, post away. Here are some ideas to start with, from last Friday:

  • Write a letter to your congressperson, local store, etc.
  • Buy used clothing
  • Start with the basics, such as looking to buy minimally packaged goods.
  • Gradually get educated regarding fair trade companies
  • Check out Slavery Footprint
  • Do activities such as walk for homeless, raising money via 5k run, etc.
  • Donate items you don't use much to shops like Second Thought Resale Shop etc.


12 comments:

Emily Smith said...

A few more ideas:
*Look for the Fair Trade label when buying coffee or chocolate
*Try to buy jewelry, scarves, gift items at a "fair trade" store such as One World Goods in Pittsford. (Sorry guys, there's not much for you in that store unless you're buying for your wife or mom)
*Serve a meatless meal(rice and beans comes to mind!) once a week, in solidarity with brothers & sisters who must eat that way all the time

Tim said...

I think it would also be helpful for one of us to dig in and find out some basic numbers about the needy and homeless in Rochester.

It would be nice to know (a) what the needs are; (b) what the ministries are in place to meet them; and (c) what the deficit is--how many people are still having needs unmet.

Spud said...

Our church targeted a nearby food pantry, and we keep them supplied with all the non-food items that people really need that you can't get from food banks, like cleaning supplies, hygiene items, diapers, toilet paper, etc.

Emily said...

Here's an idea... remember those food offerings at RCRC!! I am HORRIBLE at remembering these, I really want to get my act together! The food offerings are such good modeling for the kids too, since they don't see it when we write a check.

Tim said...

Without intending any lack of devotion to those in need, I found these funny:

One,, Two.

Spud said...

Especially number two!

Dave said...

Poverty an invisible issue in GOP race - http://articles.cnn.com/2011-09-21/opinion/opinion_martin-gop-poverty_1_gop-candidates-tea-party-debate-poverty?_s=PM:OPINION

Dave said...

some resources:
http://www.fairtradetownsusa.org/#popupPoverty

http://www.oxfam.org/en

Dave said...

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/takeaction/

Dave said...

New map: Concentration of poverty in the Rochester area
http://rocdocs.democratandchronicle.com/story/concentration-poverty

Tim said...

Thanks Dave! Those links are excellent. The poverty map is particularly illuminating.

Tim said...

Practical guidelines from Mary and from Ron Sider can be found here:

http://www.pas.rochester.edu/~tim/study/study.html

(Look under "poverty".)