A joke to make you think

A man approached me this morning as we were trying to drum up food donations during our Lawrenceville Patch-Homefront food drive and asked us, quite sincerely: “If I have enough food and money to support myself, why should I help others?”

I wasn’t expecting the question and probably seemed flustered.

He laughed. “It was a joke,” he said. He had dropped off food yesterday and had clothing he wanted to donate, as well. Then he dropped a $20 bill into our donation can and left.

It was a wonderful gesture and it made me realize that, while I know why I do this, I needed to be ready to answer the ugly questions we might get asked.

Remember, we are immersed in a political season in which the work ethic of capitalism’s victims is constantly being questioned.

So, what is the answer? Simple. Any of us at any time might find ourselves without work or without enough work. There are no guarantees. And, given that our governments — federal, state and local — refuse to make aiding those in need a priority, we have a responsibility to help while we can.

So, stop by the Shop-Rite in Mercer Mall this morning with some food for your neighbors.

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet