Today, October 15th is the second annual Blog Action Day!

Blog owners worldwide our blogging about Poverty in hopes to spread awareness and encourage people to change the world.

Every minute of every day some poor soul has died from hunger or disease. Something that could be prevented if they were given a hand up.

Just about everywhere you look you will see unfortunate people who are down on their luck. Television commercials air on every channel urging you to help poor third world developing nations.

I’m all for charity, but I strongly believe we should help our own people before we take on the needs of others. We have kids right here in the United States living on the streets eating out of dumpsters and not attending school. They are stealing just to survive. Some are resorting to prostitution just to eat for the day.

Elderly who live on fixed incomes cannot even afford to run their A/C or heating. Winter is already approaching. With the way that the environment is spiraling out of control, we are surely in for a hard and cold winter.

These same elderly citizens, who raised us and our parents, are struggling to buy food on their monthly Social Security checks.

Some people complain if the steak they ordered from a 5 star restaurant is cooked more than they like. Other people are eating the leftovers you threw out. To them, the steak is just right. You won’t hear them complain about trivial things such as how well done the steak is cooked. They only wish they would find more of it.

On the way to my uncle’s funeral a homeless man with both of his legs amputated was trying desperately to cross the street in his 15 year old wheelchair. A wheelchair that you could tell was probably formerly a child’s.

He was holding up traffic and you could see people were annoyed but not one got out of their cars to help him across. I was going the opposite direction or we would have. My mother and I were cringing as he nearly got hit by a car as he tried to push himself up a not so accessible ramp.

The sad part was this man was wearing his Vietnam Veterans cap. So, this man fought for our freedom and not one person could thank him by helping him.

Nothing bothers me more than people and politicians contributing to world wide poverty causes and promising "Hope and Change" as they drive past a homeless person while sipping their café latte and driving their Expedition.

Sadly, poverty doesn’t just strike humans. There are homeless, neglected and starving animals around every corner. They get in your trash looking for a scrap of food. When you see them, you chase them away never noticing the hurt and suffering in their loving eyes.

They hide under buildings, dodge traffic, and scare your precious child as she rides her bike while carrying her pampered Chihuahua in a basket.

Next time you pass a homeless person panhandling while on your way to McDonald’s, buy one additional Extra Value Meal.

Donate your extra blankets, out of style jackets and sweaters to the elderly on fixed incomes. Or to the nearest Star of Hope or homeless shelter. Last season’s jacket will make one cold person feel better.

My mother’s step-dad use to carry a bag of dog and cat food with him in his trunk. Every time he saw a homeless starving animal, he would give them a meal. You don’t have to buy "Designer Food;" a homeless dog will be ever so grateful for a bowl of Ol’ Roy or Great Value brand food. Try patting the poor animal on the head if he is friendly. A wag of a tail is a proven anti-depressant.

If you cannot afford to help financially, offer to sit and read with someone. Human interaction and contact is essential to maintaining a healthy well-being.

It doesn’t take a lot to offer a hand up to someone in need… All it takes is your hand in helping the cause.

One voice. One hand. One cure for poverty, one step at a time.

Stock Photo Credits: GlenJones, LisaFX, Wrangler, & MarkStout purchased from Dreamstime.com

This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty