The Season of Good Cheer?

Before the turkey could even be digested, avid shoppers across America began plotting and planning their strategy for the following day. Over one hundred million Americans were said to have hit the malls on the biggest shopping day of the year, black Friday—“black” to morn the death of true values and the birth of our material consumerism. By four o’clock am lines had formed outside Kohl’s awaiting the can’t-live-without bargains inside, while others were already finished with their first and even second bargain achievement pausing only long enough to refuel at the nearby Starbucks before checking the next purchase off the list.

What is supposed to be the season of good cheer some how got crossed with the season of good buys. By the looks of the shopping malls, high housing prices and gas costs have caused consumers to only cut one thing out of their budget this holiday season, forgetting one simple craze in the holiday book of catch phrase—to spread the cheer.

This year marked record low thanksgiving dinner food donations for those in need. As the holiday season is now entirely underway, food banks are reporting the emptiest shelves in 20 years.

Along with gas and housing costs, food prices are also up 3.3 percent from last year in Southern California, and the increase in cost of living is having drastic effects for everyone.

But when looking to cut back, donations should be the last to go.

In Orange County alone 190,000 people struggle to buy food for themselves and their families. They rely on help from the federal government and donations from those who don’t have to worry about where the next meal will come from.

Many of these families also rely on the two meals available for kids of low-income families at school. When school is out for winter break, those two meals are extremely costly and for many, impossible to compensate.

The holidays are not a season of good cheer for those who are hungry. While everyone is feeling the burden of raised prices and higher living costs, those of us who still hit the malls with Starbucks in hand and Christmas wish lists, must seriously consider the necessities we take forgranted and the necessities we can help provide for others. The holidays are the season of good cheer—but only when it is spread.