Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Food, Brexit, and a New Giving Formula

I try to mainly write about running - the running I do, running I hope to do, things to do related to running, and any aspects of the whole running oeuvre that cross my mind. But on this hot morning, where the leaves in the trees are awash in refulgent splendor from the unimpeded rays of the sun, I think I'll write a short bit about other topics.

1) This first item is for readers in Lawrence, Kansas only (though others should take note and see if their cities offer similar programs). Lawrence has a summer program that offers all children up to age 18, regardless of need, a breakfast and lunch at different locations throughout the city. You may have heard that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Except in this case there is - if you are 18 or under. Here is a link to locations of the free meals. https://www.lawrenceks.org/lprd/sfp  You will note that on July 4 other plans will need to be made.

Please, if you know someone with kids who is struggling to make ends meet, let them know about this program. No ID. No reservations. No notice is required. Just have the kids show up and they will be fed.

2) On an unrelated note, I am really hoping that the UK remains in the EU. An EU with an elided Britain will certainly survive. But like a clod being washed away, Europe will be the less. And British citizens will face a future where travel, trade, jobs, and security may be put in jeopardy as the continent moves forward without them. As an erstwhile tourist, I have loved the ease of travel between each wonderful EU state. And, perhaps then to conclude with a self-interested note, I hope it remains a piece of the continent for that reason alone.

3) A few nights ago I woke up with the thought: there are people starving and hurting in the world and I don't do enough to assist them. OK, OK, I know. That is not really that much of a thought. We all probably think that from time to time. But the urgency of the nocturnal cogitation remained with me in the morning. So I looked at what I gave to charities of various sorts last year. I had given more that three times what I donated the previous year. That seemed good. but on closer examination, some of the donations weren't really to charities, but to non-profits like arts organizations, libraries, etc... And there is nothing wrong with donating to good causes like museums and libraries. But those organizations don't put food or medicine into people's bodies. They don't put a roof over people's heads. And they don't provide sanitary living conditions.

So, to address my concerns, I devised the following plan: for as long as I can do so, each time I purchase something that is not food, medicine, travel-related, or insurance, I will donate an amount equal to 10% of that cost to charities that work with issues of hunger, poverty, displacement of people, climate change/environment, and human rights.

My hope is that there will be a two-fold benefit to this scheme (British sense of the word, scheme). First, I will make more considered purchases, accumulate less stuff, and not contribute to the glut of crap that populates much of the space in our garages, attics, and basements. Second, any purchases I do make will obviously benefit charities and organizations working to solve the most pressing (in my reckoning) issues facing humanity today.

I still plan to give to arts organization and libraries. But I want to see how much more I can give if I really think about it and incorporate this formula into my purchases.

Next time I hope to write more about running.