Tent cities

Editor's note: I wrote this in March. Not sure why it didn't post back then.

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I have been perplexed by the recent news reports of tent cities popping up with fellow down-on-their-luck Americans populating these impromptu residents. How do you get to a point where you have no other options than to camp out? Where are the families and friends of our down-on-their-luck neighbors? How did they end up in such circumstances where they have no one to turn to? Where is the safety net?

I admit to subscribe to an approach to charitble giving which provides for the recipient a hand up, not a handout. I agree with the following statement:

"True charity to a poor family or person consists in placing them in a situation in which they can support themselves” (in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. [1965–75], 2:134).

From another angle, what can I do to help those who may be on a similar road within my reach? How do I step in and provide a helping hand. It seems to me that as Americans, we have always helped our neighbors. Historically, we've had barn raisings, work parties, and we give change in jars at the check-out to help others. Sometimes the charity which is provided is simply our providing a 'fish.' Other times we provide the 'fishing pole,' and in the ideal circumstance, we provide the pole and some knowledge where to find the best fishing spot.

Surely we are not now as a nation so full of ourselves, so proud from all of our possessions and things amassed over the recent years of plenty that we cannot step back and help a struggling friend or family member? Does financial success still trump personal needs?

There are many in need. There are also many in just want. We are learning as a nation the difference between wants and needs. Greed and hunger. Hummers and Model Ts. A beautiful house and a house which meets the needs.