Happy Thanksgiving from GFWC

 

 

During this holiday season, GFWC is thankful for clubwomen, friends, and family who support and contribute to our efforts to enhance the lives of others through volunteer service. At this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially aware of the ongoing issues of homelessness and poverty that face many individuals and families in our communities.

GFWC encourages clubwomen and individuals in communities across the country to find ways to give thanks by giving back this Thanksgiving. 

• Lend a hand to your local Meals on Wheels program serving hot meals to homebound/disables/senior citizens. 
• Visit local hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and long-term care facilities to spend time with residents, patients, and caregivers.
• Spend time distributing food, blankets, and health care items to homeless facilities.
  

Through our strong public policy resolutions, GFWC has long acknowledged and participated in solutions to issues of homelessness and poverty.

• GFWC Resolution 013-190 Homelessness points to increasing rates of homelessness, including growing numbers of homeless youth and families with children. Noting that poverty, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, medical expenses, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction disorders are major causes of homelessness, GFWC urges member clubs to support funding for needed services  and to contact local homeless assistance providers and inquire how members can support their efforts
  
  Because homeless youth require specialized services to ensure their health, safety, emotional well-being, and education; GFWC also encourages clubs to support and initiate efforts to improve or develop transitional living programs with emphasis on education, life skills and employment training to enable homeless families and individuals to become self-sufficient members of the community.
  
• GFWC 014-260 World Hunger notes the increasing incidences of hunger, both domestically and internationally; and the fact that hunger affects the quality of life of all by contributing to civil unrest, terrorism, crime, environmental degradation, mass migration of refugees and a curtailment of world trade.
  
  GFWC commends the worthwhile efforts of private organizations, governments, and the United Nations to end world hunger; and supports initiatives that combine existing domestic and international assistance programs that promote long-term self-sufficiency of low-income people.