Topic: The Laundry Room
I have learned a lot by being poor. One little thing that might help others in the future is something that has developed in several places I have lived. The laundry rooms became an exchange center. Old toys, old clothes, books, household items that people have outgrown or don't need are left in the room. Outside parties even donate. Anyone who wants these items merely has to come pick it up. For the most part, no one knows which individual leaves the items, and no one knows who picks up the items.
It is a great system that benefits all parties and costs nothing. If you want to really give something to the poor, find their 'laundry room'. Some outside party recently left a bunch of new clothes and slightly used toys in the neighborhood laundry room, including a kid-sized full drum set, which my kids now have. There were some new holiday dresses that fit a neighbor's child and some infants clothes which I passed along to someone who is expecting. Someone once left a computer in the room, which I passed along to an African immigrant that I knew could use it.
Kathy
