Are We Our Brothers’ Keepers? (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE "SPEAKING OF RELIGION" COLUMN IN THE BENNINGTON BANNER)
By Ms. Sue Andrews, manager of the Bennington Interfaith Council Food & Fuel Fund
As the interim manger of the Bennington Interfaith Council Food and Fuel Fund I start each day faced by a paradox. I am a citizen of the richest nation on earth but part of my day will be spent in conversation with local residents who struggle to set priorities as they consider whether to pay their light bill or their rent or how to put food on the table.
I drink my early morning cup of tea as I listen to the news on the radio. There is always talk about our economy, which is considered healthy by many different measures, despite the fact that growth is not as robust as it might be. “What happens to the outcome of that economic growth”, I wonder? To whom do the benefits accrue and how do they trickle down into our economy? Discussions about President Bush’s veto of the child health insurance bill intermingle in my head with dialogue about the pros and cons of tax cuts, and concern about the stability of the stock market. A bigger concern to me by far than the rate of economic growth in our society is the impact of the inequitable distribution of that growth.
Managing the Food and Fuel Fund has pointed out all too clearly to me that our society has devolved into several economic sub-cultures in recent years. The first group is prospering and producing in this new information age, and coping well with new economic challenges. In the Bennington area, we see all too few examples of this success.
Declining incomes and the outcomes of global economic competition is squeezing the second group, those formerly referred to as the “middle-class”. Members of this group worry about their jobs and whether they will be there in the future. They worry about health insurance, and whether they will be able to afford the rising premiums. They worry about college and whether it will ever be a reality for their children. All it takes for members of this group to stumble and have their world crash around them is a single unanticipated financial crisis… the loss of a job, an unexpected surgery, or a failed furnace.
A third group is growing ever more discouraged and despairing. Increasingly referred to as the American underclass, their children are growing up desperately poor in the richest nation on earth. Their question at the end of the month is whether they can afford the rent or groceries or heat or electricity. In Bennington, many of these people and their families get by on less than $1000 per month. And I say “get by” intentionally, as the quality of life is grim at best.
I talk to people in these last two groups every single day. Many are just an unpaid utility bill away from being homeless. They are frightened. They have often never heard of the Food and Fuel Fund until referred there by the local churches or social service agencies. They call in absolute desperation, hoping that some small miracle will get them through the month. And frequently, we can and do help out. Just today we have given out vouchers for food and gasoline to ten people. In addition, we have paid an electric bill, a past due rent bill, and an overdue mortgage payment. We have referred people to the local food pantries, as well as three different social service agencies that may be able to provide more systematic assistance. And we have provided clothing to a former inmate now searching for a job.
Last year, the Food and Fuel Fund distributed almost $60,000 worth of help to people in the Bennington region. Much of the money came from local donations that ranged from $10 to $100. Local faith congregations, two small grants, and a variety of benefit events rounded out the income side of the budget.
Are we our brothers’ keepers? In the beginning of the Jewish Scriptures, after Cain has killed his brother Abel, God
comes looking for Abel. God says to Cain “Where is your brother?” And Cain asks a question that should be a key question for all humanity, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
In almost every faith tradition, there is reference to the concept of caring for others, or being our brothers’ keepers. In Judaism, there is the concept of “tikun olam”, or repairing the world, from a social justice perspective. Christians are reminded that at the end of life they will be asked “what did you do for the least of your brothers and sisters?’ In Islam the concept of “sakat” demands that faithful Muslims give of their resources to help the poor. In Buddhism, compassion for all God’s creation is central.
I would like to urge everyone to think about their brothers and sisters in our own, local community who might be going through hard times and contribute to the efforts of the Food and Fuel Fund. Direct contributions can be mailed to FFF, 107 Adams Street, Bennington, Vermont 05201.
Remember, we are all our brothers’ keepers. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You may one day be the person who is in need of help.
Sue Andrews is the Interim Manager of the Interfaith Council Food and Fuel Fund and an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington. She can be reached at the Food and Fuel hotline at 802 379 0149.
Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:45AM