Many of the families we serve are living day by day: struggling to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads and oil in the tank.
How can these parents even think about joyously celebrating Thanksgiving and the birth of Jesus with their kids?
A plea for help from Kathy in Dorchester reminds us how desperate many of our neighbors are:
My family has been homeless for 2½ years until this March. We are living day by day on a fixed income which I get from disability.
There are days when I don’t have enough food to give my three children a healthy dinner. They are 13, 10, and 6 and don’t even have winter coats.
I’m at my witts end which doesn’t help my health issues. It’s making it worse so any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Please help me give my children the holidays they deserve.
Kathy’s letter reminds us of a line in the My Brother’s Keeper prayer: “When I experience the joy of giving to my children, help me remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without.” Together, we can remove the stress and anxiety of parents like Kathy and bring joy to thousands of kids like hers this Christmas.
Please be a part of this year’s Christmas effort by returning the enclosed cards for our Adopt-A-Family Gift Program and our Loaves and Fishes Food Program.
Last Christmas, My Brother’s Keeper served 2,417 families— 9,637 children and adults!—living in 73 communities from Woburn to Boston to Fall River and the Cape. With your help, we will serve even more families this year.
A special reminder… the Christmas effort starts each year, in prayer, with our 21st Annual Gratitude Mass the Friday night after Thanksgiving at 7:00 P.M.
We will continue our effort to include all children present in the liturgy. Kids will be invited to bring a gift to the altar during the offertory. If you’re able, please bring one unwrapped gift per family.