In Bad Times, Don’t Stint On Generosity

These aren’t easy times. There’s something in the air, and it’s not just the smell of roasting turkey. It’s economic uncertainty, and whether you work for a government that’s cutting or a corporation that’s downsizing, it gives all of us with turkey on the table more reason than usual to say thanks. Thanks for jobs if we have them, homes however humble, people who care, great music, promising kids, good football, a faithful dog, a splendid natural world, a day off …

And a gracious Creator who provides all things - and provides them, usually, through imperfect human instruments. We’re not in this alone.

If we have something to be thankful for, someone else’s generosity is the reason. Even your favorite nose-to-the-grindstone, I-can-do-it-alone workaholic can’t get by without customers, a friendly banker, a tolerant family and a cardiac surgeon.

So before this day ends, all of us could make the coming days brighter for one another if we took a minute to wonder how we can make someone else thankful.

That’s hard to do amid an epidemic of budget-cutting, benefit-trimming and productivity-pushing. When you’re tired or threatened, charity doesn’t leap naturally to mind. Yet, when charity is most in danger, it is most needed.

Consider United Way, which funds our local safety nets. Here in Spokane, United Way is way behind last year’s giving. Corporate giving is down, individual giving is down and companies have given United Way fewer of the “loaned executives” whose donated management expertise makes United Way efficient and responsive to local needs.

The reason for the decrease in support is identical to the reason for the increase in need. Everybody’s cutting costs and generosity’s a casualty.

Whatever the cost-cutters may do, the rest of us can’t afford to let the generosity in our own hearts die, or what will happen to our community?

Ordinary people - small-business folks who know what it’s like to struggle on a tight budget, laborers who know what it’s like to be laid off, professionals who’ve been remembering with fear what it’s like to be starting a career - will have to pitch in to keep local charities strong.

In the past, United Way has focused its drive on larger employers, but now those firms are cutting back. The solution, especially in this city full of small businesses, may be at hand in the many firms and individuals who haven’t gotten involved before.

Charity shouldn’t be optional. None of us knows when we, or someone around the table with us this afternoon, will be in a jam and calling one of United Way’s many member agencies for help.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = John Webster/For the editorial board