It’s the time of year when small coalitions are formed to answer the call for gifts for the needy. Turkeys for Thanksgiving. Toys for Christmas. And warm weather gear for the low temps which inevitably blow in from the likes of Calgary and Saskatoon.
It was quite a while ago, perhaps before the aught years, that a coat drive requested new coats only. ‘Come again?’ my grandmother, whose spending habits were forever dampened by the depression years, would have asked. I even feel self-conscious writing it out now. Standards have changed so much that it is unacceptable to donate a gently worn, yet perfectly acceptable winter coats to those in need.
But that’s what happens over time. Standards change. Donations must be store bought with the tags attached. Co-workers and the like dutifully enforce the new code with smiles, nods, eye rolls or shoulder turns. Afterall, used clothes can be gifted to the thrift store for anyone to purchase on their dime. One doesn’t need be in need to be a thrifter.
Back when I was a girl (yes a long time ago) the concern was about maintaining the recipients pride while still funnelling items to their family. The openess to receive was communicated probably through the church. But delivery was descrete and distanced, so the one neighbor did not have to acknowledge the charity from the other.
A new generation, a new mode of giving. For the times will always be a changing.
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