Thankful to be thankful on Thanksgiving

It occurred to me a little while ago that I have been thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday the wrong way.

I've been complaining to myself that Rob and I have to hop between relatives houses on Thursday and won't be able to relax, but that isn't really something to complain about. God, what a jerk I am. We have places to go where there will be food, heat and family surrounding us (even if some of them drive us crazy). This is something many Americans do not have the luxury of complaining about this year.

I recently wrote an article for the Providence Business News about how the economy is affecting non-profit organizations like Crossroads Rhode Island, the state's main homeless and womens shelter. The state legislature cut funding for many state-based social services, so nonprofit groups are expected to fill the gap, but the state also cut funding for nonprofits, so these organizations can not afford to do so.

Crossroads is supporting thousands more people this year than previous years, many of them experiencing homelessness for the first time, and many of those people will converge at the shelter on Thursday for a hot meal. But homeless shelters like Crossroads can only provide food and housing if people support the cause, and it is easy to do. On Crossroads' website is a place to give the down and out among us something to look forward to this holiday season, including things like a few hours of GED tutoring, a Child's Winter Clothing Kit or Healthy Meals for 2 Families for a month.

Shelters in every state are in the same situation and need support. Give a few dollars this year and let someone else have something to be thankful for. Whatever you give will come back to you tenfold, even if it is only within yourself.