The more I read about budget cuts of social service programs and lack of services to those in need as a result, I start to think, maybe we need to stop relying so much on these efforts and think outside the box. I got to thinking last night after reading the article several weeks ago about several elderly people losing a meal a week through Meals On Wheels budget woes. What if we as neighbors step up and offered a portion of our meals that we cook each week to a senior? It wouldn't cost us a lot and would give these homebound seniors a nutritious meal to supplement what they just lost.

Yes, of course the thought of liability and being sued crossed my mind in this litigious society. And that in it self cripples us into offering help as much as it is supposed to protect us. I start to think about the "old days" where everyone knew their neighbor and helped each other out when needed. There wasn't a need for all the social support programs back them because society was a lot different. I also started thinking that we could make such a huge difference in these people's lives and likely improve their well being too. It would not only improve their nutritional status but maybe even keep them healthier longer and live more independent longer as a result.

In these times of less, I think we as citizens have to step up some way to do more to help society out. It doesn't always mean that throwing dollars at it will solve the problem. Our actions and efforts will help our fellow citizens out and make society better as a whole. In my dreams I had an idea of calling this effort, Adopt an Elder Program... Right now it is a dream but I'll figure out how to put it into action in my own neighborhood...