I have been browsing through the St. Louis Craigslist and the increase in the number of desperate stories of need is quite depressing. I would like to share a few posts to highlight the true nature of the economic downturn:
Hi
I know everyone is having a rough time this season. We are as well.I lost my job and my husband is laid off, I found a new job but I will not get paid until 1/2/09. That will be too late. We are behind on all of our bills and are about to lose our home.
We have 5 children and we really need help getting them Christmas presents.
They just need the necessary things loke socks, shoes,warm clothes and food.
They have gone without a lot lately but still stand tall.
I can pay someone back once I get paid.
My husband is a great carpenter and can do and type of construction work. He has great references. He was in an accident in October so that left him wothout a truck. But he can use my car.
Please have the heart to help us, I promise someday that I will return the favor and help someone else.A Santaless Christmas in not something I want to remember as part of their childhood.
Thanks
As another blogger I was reading mentioned recently, posts requesting socks and shoes are unlikely to be a scam. Here is another example:
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME, IM GOING TO BE HOMELESS NEXT MONTH I HAVE LOST MY JOB AND I DONT HAVE A PENNY..I’M ALSO TAKING CARE OF MY MOTHER AND SHES SICK SHE CAN’T WORK AND I CANT FINE A JOB.. I HAVE APPLYD FOR FOODSTAMPS AND CASH ASSISTANCE I’V BEEN DECLINED FOR BOTH BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE ANY KIDS PLEASE SOMEBODY OUT THERE HELP ME I HAVEN’T EATEN A REAL MEAL IN 3 MONTHS I DONT HAVE ANY FAMILY AND NOBODY CARES ABOUT ME OR MY MOTHER I AM REALLY DEPRESSED AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO SO IM JUST GONNA TRY THIS I DOUBT IT’S GONNA HELP TOUGH.. BUT IF THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT IS DOING FINANCIALLY WELL PLEASE I NEED FOOD AND MONEY PLEASE PLEASE 😦 JCCALLAHAN1@YAHOO.COM
It really is unfortunate how our government assistance systems work. This is a very real problem – if you do not have children the government will quite often turn a deaf ear to your problems. Here is one last story:
Its almost Christmas and we have tried everything in order for our children to have something under the tree. However to no avail we have failed to do so. However my son have informed me that Santa will still be comming this year and although sometimes he was bad this year…that he believes that Santa will still come because he has tried so hard. Sooo there we have our family delima.
If anyone could help with maybe a gift card or something. I dont know how this works but we are a family where my husband works seasonal. And Im disabled so it sucks what else can I say.
These are just a few of the desperate pleas for help that I have read through, and that is just for the St. Louis postings. I would help every one of these people, but that is just not in my power. If you are in the St. Louis area and are looking to make a difference in someone’s life this Christmas, please consider investigating one of these posts. If you are out of the area, take a look on your own Craigslist site and read some of the stories of despair in your area. It is a very eye-opening experience.
Please use caution when conducting business on the internet – there is always the possibility it is a scam, but some common sense is normally good enough to root those out. Let’s all take care of each other this Christmas and beyond!
Helping St. Louis 