Each year, Monroe proves it has a heart. During the Thanksgiving season, scores of community groups, churches, and individuals stepped forward to ensure no one was left hungry or forgotten. Their generosity and compassion reflect the best of who we are as a community.
Look at the short list:
Marshal Robert Cherry hosted his annual luncheon to honor our seniors for their resilience.
Bishop Rodney McFarland and the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church spent the entire Thanksgiving Day feeding the homeless.
Emma West turned her front yard into a sanctuary of service, feeding 180 families and preparing hygiene packs for the homeless—something she will repeat on Christmas Day.
Cleo Miller and the Miller Funeral Home family contributed thousands of dollars to underwrite community outreach.
Chris Lewis Outreach delivered more than 300 turkeys with the help of Mac’s Fresh Market.
The Black Tie Guys mentoring program blessed random families with baskets of food and encouragement.
Eddie Hakim and the Luv N Care Corporation helped put food on many tables.
The Salvation Army continued its daily mission, sheltering dozens of homeless residents, and the City of Monroe opened recreation centers to provide warmth during the cold spell.
Such acts of kindness demonstrate that compassion is alive and well in Monroe. Yet, if this year follows the pattern of others, that generous spirit may fade after Christmas.
The lines outside the Salvation Army will remain long. Hunger and homelessness will not take a holiday. The Food Bank will continue its daily work, often unseen. The city’s temporary shelters will close until the next freeze, and many of our neighbors will again find themselves alone in the struggle.
This is why Monroe needs a structured, coordinated, year-round response to poverty and need. Charity should not rely on the calendar or the temperature. The goodwill that shines so brightly during the holidays could be transformed into lasting change if organized and supported throughout the year.
The many groups and individuals who “did something” this season deserve applause. Yet as a community, we are called to do more than “something.” We can build systems that connect our efforts, share resources, and sustain compassion twelve months a year.
Our philanthropy must grow beyond the holiday season. The love we show in December should echo in June. True charity—like true love—is not seasonal. It endures.
KEEPING FOCUS UPON CREATING A PREVENTATIVE PROGRAM
UNIFY COMMUNITY AND PERSONAL SERVICES WITH AN ON GOING FORMAT INSTEAD OF SEASONAL HELP, EACH ENTITY ATTENDING TO ITS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WHILE STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL, MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND ECONOMICAL ASPECTS OF THE FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL.