Yesterday, we started our day by going to church. When I went to pull out the offertory envelope, there was an additional envelope for food for the poor. It made me stop for a moment as I was in our cupboard getting a snack for my son in case he got hungry while we were visiting "baby Jesus." Well, I take for granted the food in our cupboard...I don't think I need to say more. We just buy it when we need it.

As the day goes, we came home from church and started decorating our house, tree up, an abundance of ornaments to put on the tree and all the other "chachkas" we have to place throughout the house. We break for a "snack" as my son does not like to call it lunch...not a great eater.

Back to more decorations, oh and then there is the dinner thing. Off to the grocery store I go. I pull into the parking lot and there is the O.P.P. Emergency Task Force Unit, asking for donations for the food bank. I asked them what were the items that were most needed and they said anything protein, from peanut butter to any canned meat or fish that one would like to donate. And they also took cash donations. As I was walking through the grocery store, the items that they had mentioned were the shelves that were almost empty.

How amazing is that? Just about everyone that went through the grocery store that day dug into their pockets to help those that are in need. They received food and cash donations galore!

And then at work on Monday, we walked around to ask the staff for a cash donation (any amount that they can afford is great), as Mississauga Toyota is sponsoring a family for Christmas in Peel. And the dealership will match the donations to make sure there is enough to provide them with the basic necessities of life and whatever else we can get them. And to top it off, one of our employees came to me and told me he wanted to buy the children mattresses out of his own pocket as they have no beds to sleep in. He says that he has a roof over his head and doesn't need the money. He just wants to help!

For all of us that are reading this, we likely have much more than shelter, food, clothes, shoes and a computer. So we are good! When you learn of how little some people have, it makes me stop in my tracks. As we go through our days we forget how truly blessed we are.

So when you think that you don't have...even if you have what I listed above (less the computer), you have a lot! So this Christmas Season, give even if you only have a few pennies to spare. The gift is in the giving...

Susan Gubasta

President/CEO